Other
Hot Cocoa Blocks
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1 cup extra-dark chocolate chips
- 4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- unsweetened cocoa, for sprinkling (optional)
- Wooden ice-pop sticks
Directions
- Line an 8” square pan with parchment paper (or use two silicone ice cube trays).
- In a 2-quart saucepan, heat the cream and condensed milk until steaming.
- Remove from the heat and add the chocolate, stir vigorously with a rubber spatula until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is thick and shiny.
- Add a flavoring or extract, if desired (see tips), stir again to combine, and pour the mixture into the prepared pan.
- Shake it gently to level the top.
- Sprinkle the top with cocoa (if using).
- Set aside at room temperature for 1 hour to set up.
- Run a knife around the edge of the pan and use the parchment or foil to lift the block out of the pan.
- Place on a cutting surface.
- Dip a large knife in hot water and wipe dry; slice the block into 1 ¼˝ cubes, heating the knife and wiping dry between each cut.
- Place a wooden stick into the center of each block.
- Roll in more cocoa (if using).
- Place in mini-muffin papers, then wrap in waxed paper or plastic wrap to store in the refrigerator.
- For long term storage, put in the freezer for 2-3 months.
- If giving as gifts, you can make homemade marshmallows and place one on top of each hot cocoa block.
- To make hot cocoa from the blocks, heat 8 ounces 2% or whole milk in a mug in the microwave.
- Stir the chocolate on the stick into the milk, rubbing it along the hot mug to help it melt into the milk until completely incorporated.