Hello Friday! The weeks following holiday tend to be crazy, playing catch up after a few days off, so I'm especially looking forward to this weekend. Tonight is the Christmas Tree Lighting in our cozy Brooklyn neighborhood too. The girls and I will be going with a good friend and her kiddies, and I'll be packing some of this homemade hot cocoa in a thermos. Before I "take off" for the weekend, a few reminders—next week is going to be a busy one!
- The 12 Days of Sharing fundraiser starts next week. Start sending links to your posts for the virtual cookie jar. All the details on how to participate are here. I can't wait to see what you all bake up to help end childhood hunger (and I'm beyond excited that I'll be featured blogger at Oprah.com).
- Have you visited The Family Table yet? Pull up a chair, and join me for some homemade pancakes and mushroom bolognese.
- Have you voted yet in the Bon Apetit Blog Envy Bake Off? I submitted my apple cranberry crumb cake, so if you like it, your vote would be a nice gift for the holidays.
Enjoy the cocoa—it's what brought the glow back to Rudolph's nose in one of the girls' favorite Christmas books. See you next week, and I'll be bringing that recipe for chipotle orange chocolate chip cookies I tweeted about to the 12 Days of Sharing cookie swap!
Chocolate Ganache
makes about 2 cups
1 cup heavy cream
2/3 cup sugar
6 ounces finely chopped bittersweet chocolate
Add cream and sugar to a small pot. Bring to a simmer, but do not let it come to a boil. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until sugar has dissolved. Add chocolate to a deep heat-proof bowl. Pour hot cream mixture over chocolate and stir with a rubber spatula until combined and chocolate is melted. Transfer to a glass or BPA-free plastic container and let cool slightly before covering and storing in refrigerator. Will last for up to two weeks.
Homemade Hot Cocoa
serves 2
2 cups steamed milk
Chocolate ganache, to taste
Fresh whipped cream, to garnish (optional)
Divide steamed milk into two mugs. Add chocolate ganache, to taste, and stir until mixed well. Top with whipped cream , if using.
This is a very handy frother I got for $2 at IKEA—it runs on "AA" batteries.
And don't forget the whipped cream!
Looks so cozy and delicious! My husband is taking my son to NYC next week. Wish I were going with him & could visit you too :)
Posted by: Lori @ RecipeGirl | 12/04/2009 at 08:28 AM
Yummmmm that looks like the best hot cocoa ever.
Posted by: maggie | 12/04/2009 at 09:05 AM
Mmmmm, this looks really delish! I'm having some friends over for hot cocoa and cookies next weekend so I'll have to try out this recipe then!
Posted by: sara | 12/05/2009 at 11:16 AM
I just made this tonight and it was delicious! Thanks for this recipe. You can't beat how easy it is, plus it tastes great. Thanks again!
Posted by: Dog in the Car | 01/13/2010 at 06:49 AM
mmmm delicious!
Posted by: invierta proyectos | 02/11/2010 at 08:56 AM