HOT COCOA BAR

Hot Cocoa Bar image

Provided by Anne Thornton, Host of Dessert First

Categories dessert

Time 25m

Yield about 8 cups

Number Of Ingredients 7

1 cup confectioners' sugar
1 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
6 cups milk
1/2 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped
2 cups milk chocolate morsels (about 12 ounces)

Steps:

Cocoa Bar Suggestions:
Cinnamon sticks, candied orange zest, caramel, whipped cream, almond milk, marshmallows, mint chocolate bars, shaved chocolate, Nutella, peppermints, crystallized ginger and chipotle pepper powder
Whisk together the confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch and salt in a saucepan (one with a spout if you have one). Make sure to mix it really well. Whisk the milk in slowly, you don't want any lumps. Add the vanilla seeds and pod. Place over medium heat and bring to a slight simmer. Cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Remove the vanilla bean and stir in the milk chocolate morsels until melted. Keep warm until serving.
Cocoa Bar Setup: Arrange or display all the various flavorings your guests will enjoy. If you know your guests will want to try multiple combinations, have espresso cups available, so the hot cocoa will last longer and guest won't feel so bad trying multiple cups.