Tuesday 3 February 2015

Hot Chocolate Weather

Copyright: Couva
 When we woke up this morning, Oxford had been transformed into a Wintery Wonderland! It is just so beautiful to see everything covered in a blanket of fluffy white... 
Everything looks so soft, so perfect... and so cold! It brings back fond memories of growing up in Southern Ontario in Canada where every day in winter looked like this. Now that we're in the UK, snow is such a wonderful novelty, that our family is desperate to go out an enjoy the fun that a snow day brings! 
And there is nothing that goes more perfectly with a frosty, cold, winter's day than a big mug of deliciously warming hot chocolate.... preferably with whipped cream and marshmallows on top!


Copyright: Couva
Copyright: Couva
I know that  the post for our "Ultimate Hot Chocolate" recipe was only written in October, but I just have to re-post... there couldn't be a more perfect day for it! 

It really is  THE best hot chocolate you have ever tasted. It's creamy, smooth, and totally luxurious... Yum!

You can make changes to this recipe based on what you have available in the kitchen or based on how intensely chocolatey you like your drink. But it's really so easy, that however you make it, it's going to be gooooood! 







Credit: Pinterest

The Ultimate Couva Hot Chocolate (makes 4 mugs)

Copyright Couva


Hot Chocolate


  • 4 mugfuls of milk (we use semi-skim in our house, but you could use full-fat milk for a really indulgent treat!)
  • 4 tablespoons of chocolate Ovaltine (any other chocolate milk powder would work too!)
  • 1 x 100g bar of Lindt Excellence Creamy Milk Chocolate OR Lindt Excellence 85% Dark Chocolate (if you like it a bit more intensely chocolate and slightly more bitter)
    (*you can use any other kind of milk or dark chocolate that you have available, but I have to say that Lindt is my favourite!  I've also used Cadbury's, Sainsbury's brand, etc... But just make sure that they are 100% PURE chocolate without any funny additives)
  • Vanilla Whipped Cream (see below)
  • Marshmallows
  • Chocolate shavings or more chocolate Ovaltine for sprinkling
  1. Warm up the milk over medium heat until there is steam coming up from the top of the milk, but be careful that it doesn't come to a boil. 
  2. Sprinkle in the Ovaltine and carefully drop in the pieces of your chocolate bar. 
  3. Grab a whisk or wooden spoon and stir continuously until all of the chocolate melts. You want to try and keep the chocolate moving once you first put it into the hot milk so that it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan and burn. 
  4. Remove from heat and pour into 4 mugs.
  5. Garnish with a few dollops of gorgeous Vanilla Whipped Cream (see below), a few marshmallows and a sprinkle of some chocolate shavings or some chocolate Ovaltine powder. 
  6. Enjoy! (and trust me - you will!!)

Vanilla Whipped Cream
  • 150 ml double or whipping cream
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (try to use a good quality, pure vanilla if you can)
  • 2 teaspoons of sugar
  1. Mix together the cream, vanilla extract, and sugar. 
  2. Whip on high until the cream starts to thicken. Be careful not to overwhip the cream or it will start to get clumpy, and clumpy cream just isn't nice! You want to stop whipping when you've got some soft peaks, but the cream mixture can still be easily stirred. 
This Vanilla Whipped Cream is amazing on all sorts of things - cafe latte, cappuccino, apple crumble, or even just a spoon!

*You can also use this Ultimate Hot Chocolate to make the most amazing Cafe Mocha. Simply fill your mug half-way up with the hot chocolate, and fill the rest with your favourite freshly-brewed coffee. Again, top it with some Vanilla Whipped Cream and chocolate shavings... You're going to love it! 


Keeps your coffee (*or hot chocolate!!) hotter for longer!