Hot Chocolate Charcuterie

Who doesn’t love a good hot chocolate bar?! I think this idea would be perfect to do for a cookie baking night, with your kids on Christmas eve or to watch a movie, or to have to make before going out to see Christmas lights!

I’m sharing my favorite hot chocolate and homemade whipped cream recipe below! You can have everyone add their own toppings!

• 4 cups whole milk
• 2 cups half and half
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, (or extract of choice)

Instructions:

To make homemade hot chocolate in the instant pot, add all of the ingredients to an instant pot. Mix well. Place the lid on and set the manual timer for 1 minutes. Allow a natural release (about 30 minutes) and then top with your favorite toppings or extract flavors. If you don’t have an instant pot, this recipe can be made in a slow cooker or crock pot as well. If you want to make this recipe in a crock pot, combine the same ingredients but cook on low for two hours. Make sure to stir occasionally to make sure the chocolate chips don’t stick.

• 1 pint heavy whipping cream (COLD) (2 cups)
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

Put the bowl of a standing mixer or a large mixing bowl (glass or metal preferred) into the refrigerator to chill for at least 15-30 minutes (or longer). Add whipping cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract to the chilled bowl of a standing mixer (or chilled mixing bowl). Use the wire whisk attachment to a standing mixer, or a hand-held mixer, and beat the ingredients together, starting on low speed and increasing to high slowly as it begins to firm up. Beat for 60-90 seconds until stiff peaks form. Stopping once halfway through to scrape down the sides of the bowl.Transfer mixture to a piping bag to pipe onto your favorite dessert or into hot chocolate. Or put in a serving dish to serve.