Gingerbread Hot Chocolate With Vanilla Whipped Cream

What is your favorite drink to sip on during the holidays? Is it a chilled, icy drink or a warm cozy one? I asked my Instagram followers this very question and the results were pretty split. And guess what? I agree!

Both are so great to enjoy over the holidays. I enjoy a crisp drink; like this Ginger Cranberry Gin Fizz or this Apple Cider Bourbon Smash while I am mingling at a holiday party and a warm drink while I am at home after a cold day out.

Since moving to our little homestead I have learned to love the simple things, like the sun rising over the hills, or looking at the stars at night, and sipping on a favorite drink and really enjoying it, ya know, being in the moment. Sipping on this gingerbread hot chocolate by the woodstove has definitely become one of my winter traditions.

Okay, I am just gonna come out and say it… this hot chocolate is so good! It has spiciness from the ginger and cinnamon but is sweet from the chocolate and is topped with a big mound of vanilla whipped cream…and maybe a few other toppings. This is not only a warm, cozy drink, it’s like a winter dessert!

When developing this recipe, I realized it had been a while since I made homemade hot chocolate. While talking to Tyler about it, he was saying hot cocoa and I was saying hot chocolate.

When I was a kid, I always called it hot chocolate and I wondered what is the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate?

Hot cocoa is made with a powder made of cocoa powder, sugar and then mixed with milk. It is usually a litter lighter than hot chocolate and is often sweetened with flavors.

Hot chocolate is made with melted chocolate – go figure! The chocolate melted in milk or cream makes a richer and more decadent drink. It is also often flavored but usually does not have sugar since the chocolate adds sweetness.

Tips to making whipped cream

• Use heavy whipping cream. You can get away with using heavy cream, but it won’t be as stiff and will be harder to pipe.
• Put the mixing bowl and the beaters in the refrigerator before you start. Whipped cream will hold its shape better if it is cold.
• Whipped cream is best when whipped at really high speeds. I usually beat at the highest setting and until I have reached stiff peaks.
• It will take about 2 minutes to get stiff peaks if whipping on high. If it turns grainy, you’ve whipped too long.

I’m so excited to share this hot chocolate with you! It is the perfect warm drink to enjoy during the holiday season. Make it on Christmas Eve with the kids or add a shot of bourbon to make it an adult drink.

If you make this, tag me on Instagram and let me know what you think!

Source: The Kitchn