There's only one word I can use to describe the past couple of weeks, but unfortunately I can't really print it in a place where my mother will read it.
So instead we'll settle for a handful of euphemisms that aren't as likely to offend. It's been crap. Terrible, horrible, and all kinds of no good.
So far this month, I've been under the weather, up to my eyeballs in work and wedding planning, up to my knees in snow, and up to my ankles in slush.
If I could take the first half of February back to the store for a full refund of my purchase price, I totally would, because it's obviously defective.
Is it any wonder, then, that I've had a craving for hot chocolate that just won't go away?
Chocolate is, after all, the cure for just about everything. (Well, except for this cold. Nothing seems to make a dent in it, including copious quantities of chicken soup.)
I tend to change up the contents of my hot chocolate depending on my mood. Lately, though, I keep going back to a recipe I first picked up at a fantastic baking event hosted by Silk Canada at the Calphalon cooking studios back in December, where they paired up food bloggers and food personalities bake up some dairy-free chocolatey goodies.
The hot chocolate was actually a bonus item, meant to tide us over while our various goodies were baking away in the oven, but it turned out to be my favourite part of the event.
(Though the recipe I made with Cynthia of Curbside Bliss Cupcakes, a ridiculous moist and gooey Chocolate Cinnamon Cake topped with a cooked chocolate frosting and dotted with chopped walnuts, comes in at a very close second.)
This particular version of classic Mexican Hot Chocolate takes all the best parts of hot chocolate - the soothing warmth, the deep chocolatey flavour, and an unctuously rich texture - and then layers in a spicy blend of cayenne, cinnamon, vanilla and freshly grated nutmeg that is absolutely to die for.
Plus, when it's made with Silk Dark Chocolate Almond and unsweetened chocolate (which is the way I've been doing it), it's also completely dairy-free... which is rather handy considering I've got a few lactose-intolerant folks in my life.
And... should your February thus far be as craptacular as mine has been, you might like to know that it's very nice indeed with a splash of rum. :) (Just don't tell my mom I said so, k?)
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Dairy-Free Mexican Hot Chocolate
- Total Time: 15 mins
- Yield: 2 1x
Description
This particular version of classic Mexican Hot Chocolate takes all the best parts of hot chocolate and then layers in a spicy blend of cayenne, cinnamon, vanilla and freshly grated nutmeg that is absolutely to die for.
Ingredients
- 2 cups Silk Dark Chocolate Almond
- 3 oz unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
- 3 tbsp sugar
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Dash of freshly grated nutmeg
- Dash of cayenne
Instructions
- In a small saucepan set over medium high heat, bring the almond Silk to a simmer.
- Whisk in the chocolate and sugar, and continue simmering for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the chocolate is melted and completely incorporated into the Silk.
- Remove from heat and whisk in cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg and cayenne. Serve immediately.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Drinks
Anneli says
I'm so glad I found this recipe! I make hot chocolate with a candy cane for my kids every December when we start decorating for Christmas. This year I thought my middle son would have to do without, because, he finally pinpointed his allergies. They include everything from soy, dairy, eggs, and on and on. But, this recipe sounds great. I found the ingredients today including a dark chocolate that didn't include soy lecithin (which is virtually impossible), organic candy canes with no soy, and the silk dark chocolate almond milk. Looking forward to making it for my kids. Now I won't tell you that my kids are almost adults, but, that's the fun of traditions... they don't stop. Thanks again!
Carole says
Hi there. The current Food on Friday on Carole's Chatter is collecting links to posts about Mexican dishes and flavours. I do hope you link this one in. This is the link . Please do pop back to check out some of the other links – there are a lot of good ones already. Have a great week.
Stephanie says
Hope that the rest of the month is kinder to you! I imagine that having steaming mug of this delicious looking drink nearby would help
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking says
I hope your second part of the month is getting better.
I love Mexican chocolate and would love a cup of this hot chocolate right now.
Beautiful photos, LOVE the mugs
★★★★★
Kate | Food Babbles says
This sounds insanely good! I love the almond silk in it. I love mexican hot chocolate! I'll have to give your recipe a try. Mmm!
Carla says
My year hasn't been the greatest either. This hot chocolate will make it all better, right?
molly yeh says
ooh this looks delightful!! my super special manfriend is dairy-free so i will have to make this!!
Delishhh says
Just awesome stuff!
bellini says
It does sound like a crappy month, but it will soon be a memory with some hot chocolate.
shannon @ a periodic table says
i have had a borderline INSANE, crushing craving for hot chocolate as of late. it just won't go away, and now there's just an added dimension, because i LOVE mexican hot chocolate. I'll be raiding my spice cabinet tonight.