Description
Delightful Christmas Chocolate Hot Cups bring festive cheer with rich, velvety cocoa embracing marshmallow dreams. Warm, indulgent sips promise comfort that transports you straight to holiday magic.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate and Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups (470 ml) semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 4 ounces (113 g) semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
- 2 cups (470 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings (Optional):
- Mini marshmallows
- Crushed candy canes
- Whipped cream
- Holiday sprinkles
- Silicone or paper mini cupcake liners
Instructions
- Craft the delicate chocolate shells by gently melting chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring between 30-second intervals until achieving a silky smooth consistency. Carefully spoon molten chocolate into mini cupcake liners, ensuring an even coating along the sides and bottom. Transfer the prepared liners onto a baking sheet and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes until the chocolate completely solidifies.
- Delicately remove the hardened chocolate shells from their paper liners, creating elegant edible vessels. Handle with care to prevent cracking or breaking.
- Prepare the luxurious hot chocolate filling by warming milk and heavy cream in a medium saucepan over gentle heat until steaming. Incorporate chopped chocolate, cocoa powder, and sugar, whisking continuously until the mixture transforms into a velvety smooth liquid.
- Infuse the hot chocolate with a splash of vanilla extract, stirring to blend seamlessly. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, maintaining a warm temperature that preserves its rich, indulgent character.
- Elegantly fill each delicate chocolate cup with the warm hot chocolate mixture using a small ladle, ensuring precise and clean pouring.
- Embellish the hot cups with festive toppings such as miniature marshmallows, crushed candy canes, dollops of whipped cream, or playful seasonal sprinkles.
- Serve immediately, providing small spoons to encourage guests to savor both the decadent liquid and the edible chocolate vessel.
Notes
- Chocolate tempering matters for a glossy, snap-worthy chocolate cup that won’t melt instantly when touched.
- Use high-quality chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content to ensure rich flavor and smooth texture in your cups.
- Gently tap the cupcake liners after coating with chocolate to eliminate air bubbles and create even chocolate shells.
- Keep chocolate cups refrigerated until just before filling to maintain their structural integrity and prevent cracking.
- For dairy-free version, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Experiment with flavor variations by adding a pinch of cinnamon, cayenne, or peppermint extract to the hot chocolate mixture.
- Ensure milk doesn’t boil while heating to prevent scorching and maintain a smooth, silky hot chocolate consistency.
- Create make-ahead magic by preparing chocolate cups and hot chocolate base a day in advance, storing separately in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Drinks, Desserts
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 70 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg