Gourmet Hot Chocolate Bar

Last night I was in charge of doing a Gourmet Hot Chocolate Bar. It was so fun and so I thought I would share what I did.

Pour it: hot chocolate

Flavor it: You can find a large assortment of flavored syrups in the coffee isle of the grocery store, you can also add things like Peanut Butter, Nutella, Caramel, or different oils to your hot chocolate.

Top it: Whip cream, spices, shavings, crushed candy or candy bars to add an extra touch. Ice cream syrups like caramel and chocolate, or berry toppings are easy.

Stir it: With all of these add-ins you'll need something to stir with! Chocolate dipping spoons in caramel or chocolate and rolling in crushed candy canes or toffee and then let them harden. Or use candy canes or cinnamon sticks for extra flavor.

Some unique flavor combinations to try:

Holiday Spice: Hot chocolate and pumpkin pie spice. On top: marshmallows, cinnamon sprinkle.

Raspberry Truffle: A couple chunks of chocolate on the bottom of the mug, hot chocolate, raspberry syrup. On top: whipped cream, raspberry syrup, chocolate shavings.

Chocolate Hazelnut with whole milk: Hot whole milk and nutella. On top: whipped cream, chocolate shavings.

Chocolate Hazelnut: Hot chocolate and nutella. On top whipped cream, chocolate shavings.

Caramel Chocolate: A chunk of chocolate on the bottom of the mug, hot chocolate and caramel syrup. On top: marshmallows and caramel sauce drizzle.

Peppermint Stick: Hot chocolate, peppermint extract. On Top: whipped cream and crushed candy canes.

Mint Chocolate: A chunk of mint chocolate on the bottom of the mug and hot chocolate. On top: marshmallows and some more mint chocolate.

Canadian Cocoa: add 1/2-1 teaspoon maple extract after removing from the heat

Cocoa Au Lait: serve with a scoop softened vanilla ice cream on top of each cup

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate Recipe

1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1 can sweetened condensed milk, 14 ounces
6 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
3-6 cups of water (depending on how sweet you want it)

2 Cups of chocolate chips (milk chocolate, mint, vanilla, peanut butter, or butterscotch).
1. Add whipping cream, sweetened condensed milk, whole milk, and vanilla to crock pot. Whisk.
2. Stir in milk chocolate chips.
3. Cover crock pot and cook on low for about 2 hours, stirring about every 15 minutes. When chocolate chips have fully melted and mixture is combined you may want to reduce your crock pot to the 'warm' setting.
4. Prior to serving whisk mixture vigorously.