Posts tagged: hot chocolate

The Ultimate Hot Chocolate Bar with Crockpot Hot Chocolate

Nothing screams the holidays to me more than a huge glass of hot chocolate. Of course you can't forget the marshmallows. And a side of cookies too. :) I love hosting a hot chocolate bar around the holidays. 

Christmas cookies: Eat it or gift it!

Let's agree that December, is a month to treat ourselves with nice homemade sweets. There is no better way to say thank you than by giving a little box of cookies prepared with love in your kitchen.

Get your apron on and choose a recipe!

You can easily gift them, carefully sealed in a container. Even though they probably won't last too long, just know that you can store them up to one week in an airtight container. But who am I kidding, the cookies weren't even cooled, and half of the batch was already gone. I had to hide a few to be able to share these cuties with you! 

I know the statement "My diet starts next week." very well, I say it month after month. If that's the case for you, you might want to consider this quinoa salad. If not, here are some tasty recipes for you.

If you are baking for a nut-free environment or want to stay classic, you can't go wrong with those shortbread cookies. The warmth of the sugary-buttery mix will make you eat them by the handful.

Classic Shortbread cookies

(Yield 15-20)

Ingredients: -

1 cup of butter, diced 

1/2 a cup of sugar 

1 cup of flour, sifted

Vanilla, optional

Preparation:  - Preheat oven to 370 degrees F. In a bowl, mix the butter, sugar, and flour until it holds together. Refrigerate 15-20 min. Roll the dough out half an inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, make squares. Repeat until finished. On a baking sheet, place the shaped cookies. Bake 25 minutes. 

Is it cold outside? Are you are in a hot chocolate and marshmallows kind of mood? No problem, we got you covered with those oh so addictive almond-chocolate shortbread bites. Don't try to control yourself in front of those, you can't. They are a buttery treat with the perfect balance of chocolate and almond, plus a sweet touch of marshmallow. Irresistible.

'Hot chocolate cookie', almond-chocolate and marshmallow

(Yield 15)

Ingredients: -

1 cup of flour

1/2 a cup of almond ground 

1/4 a cup of sugar 

A pinch of salt 

2 tablespoon of cocoa powder

1 cup of soft butter, diced 

1 egg yolk, medium size

Preparation: - Preheat oven to 325 F. In a bowl, put the flour, ground almond, sugar, salt and cocoa powder. Mixing well, add in the butter, it will be crumbly. Add the egg yolk and continue to mix. Roll into balls and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes.

If you want to add a little European twist, with a world-flavored cookie, you'll impress your friends with your pronunciation of Maaantecaos, if you make these delicious cookies! You'll be the Christmas star of the evening... not the one on the tree! You'll love that little orange flavor... Close your eyes, you could be on the street of a little town in Andalucia, where Orange trees make the shadows on the sidewalk...

 

Spanish Mantecaos (Yield 15)

Ingredients: -

1 and 1/2 half cups of flour 

1/2 cup of sugar 

100ml of oil 

2 teaspoons of orange blossom water

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon

Preparation: - Preheat oven to 370 degrees F. In a bowl, put the flour and the sugar. Mix. Pour the oil and the orange water. Mix well until it holds together. Make little balls of 1.5 inches diameters. Bake 25 minutes or until golden. Decorate with icing sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon on top.

Written and photographed by Melanie from Bon Appét'Eat.

Boozy White Hot Chocolate

It's beginning to look a lot like winter! The temperatures are dropping, the snow is starting to fall, and it's about time to start snuggling up under blankets next to a roaring fire every night. Nothing goes better with a snuggly night in than a giant mug of warm hot chocolate, spiked with a little booze of course. :)

This Boozy White Hot Chocolate is a fun way to shake up your usual hot chocolate routine, featuring indulgent white chocolate and spiced rum for just the right touch of much-needed extra warmth.

Holiday movie marathon? Oh yea, this'll do the trick better than that tired ol' egg nog.

INSTRUCTIONS In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, chocolate chips and vanilla. Stirring constantly, heat the mixture until the chocolate is melted and the mixture begins to simmer, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in rum. Divide evenly between two large mugs and serve with marshmallows and whipped cream.

Recipe & Photos by Meghan Bassett

10 Warm & Cozy Crockpot Cocktails to Keep You Warm

You know that warm feeling when you are enjoying a cocktail? The boozy heat that rises inside of you and makes you feel all cozy and happy from the inside out. You know the one I'm talking about, right? It's the one that makes you grateful for everything in your life as you let the stress of the day wash away in a single sip. Now imagine that happy feeling, but multiply it by about 5,000. That's the feeling I get whenever I sip on a really good warm cocktail, like mulled wine or warm boozy cider. It's like a warm hug for your belly that your entire body can sink into and enjoy. You all know we've been putting our crockpots to work already this month, but we can't forget about one of the most important kinds of recipes. Big batch cocktails... Whether you have a party coming up you need drinks for, or you are simply craving a perfectly balanced, warm cocktail, the cocktails we've rounded up below are the simplest ones around. They pack in the flavor and the warmth, without making you do any work. While it's brewing away in the slow cooker, you can simply sit back and enjoy the season. You'll find some classics in the list below - and even some fun new twists on your favorite nonalcoholic beverages! We absolutely can't stop, won't stop with any of these; and we're pretty dang sure you won't be able to either...

Slow Cooker Spiced Wine - Well Plated

Crock Pot Cranberry Cider - Kleinworth & Co. Slow Cooker Cranberry-Orange Mulled Wine - Kitchen Treaty

Slow Cooker Gingerbread Latte - The Cookie Rookie

Slow Cooker Peppermint Vanilla Lattes - Kitchen Treaty Slow Cooker Maple Pumpkin Spice Lattes - The Yummy Life

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine - The View From Great Island Slow Cooker Winter Rose Sangria - Hungry Girl Por Vida

Mulled Wine - Gimme Some Oven

Hot Caramel Apple Cocktail - Busy Mommy Cheers everyone!