Hot Chocolate to Share

We're getting to that time of year again when everything is made to be shared... warm open fires, mulled wine, hot chestnuts (more on these later), big old casseroles and, of course, ladles and ladles of creamy hot chocolate.

I love the feeling of (literal!) warmth and togetherness that comes with serving up a huge batch of hot chocolate for everyone to sip, but I'm often disappointed with how some of the shop-bought powder stuff tastes when you try and make it for a big group of people. Don't get me wrong, I think instant hot chocolate is a perfectly yummy treat when you make it for yourself but, when I'm making it for all the family, I'm always after something a little bit more authentic and...well... a lot more chocolatey!  

So, this year I made it my mission to find a classic (but simple to make) old-fashioned hot chocolate recipe and, of course, once I'd come across it I had to share it with you all...

I've totally stolen this delicious recipe from Jamie Oliver- but I've also added a couple of little extras to make it a bit more me. The wonderful thing about hot chocolate, however, is that you can literally make it any way you please. Last year, for example, I improvised my own version with a spoonful of Nutella and a splash of orange extract and it was one of the scrummiest things I've ever had the pleasure to concoct. So don't hold back! If you want to add a load of extra flavours, go ahead!

But, if all you want is a lovely, creamy and traditional mug of thick hot chocolate, then try this on for size.    

To make a jugful that will serve eight delighted chocaholics, you will need:

* 2 tablespoons of Horlicks
* 2 tablespoons of cornflour
* 3 tablespoons of icing sugar
* 4 tablespoons cocoa powder
* 1 pinch of ground cinnamon
* 1 pinch of ground ginger
* 100g dark chocolate
* 100g milk chocolate

Added to...

* 2 pints of semi-skimmed milk (or dairy-free alternative)

1. Pour the milk into a large pan and bring almost to the boil over a medium heat.
2. Meanwhile, grate both types of chocolate and stir together with all the other dry ingredients.
3. You need around ten heaped tablespoons of the dry mix per two pints of milk. Simply spoon the tablespoons of mix into the hot milk, give it a good whisk and allow everything to bubble away before serving. For that authentic, old-fashioned chocolate, it needs to be super thick (Jamie says 'almost claggy'- love it) and sumptuously smooth before it's ready to pour.

The dry mix alone also makes for a fabulously simple DIY gift idea- just make up a massive batch, decant it into a few little jars or milk bottles, tie a pretty label around the top & voila! Instant Christmas happiness for all.  

I hope you give this recipe I go, I'd certainly love to see a cosy-looking Instagram or two! I know that I'll be whipping up a batch of this special hot chocolate on Christmas Eve to share with all my family- and I absolutely can't wait to see their smiles when they get that first, rich and creamy sip!

In the meantime,
All the love,

Sian x