Catskill Maison Bed & Breakfast

At Catskill Maison Bed and Breakfast, we have become known for our super luscious hot chocolate.  There is nothing better after a day at Windham Mountain  than to come back to our Bed and Breakfast and cozy up with a cup of our decadent hot cocoa.  Since it snowed again in the city last night I figured I’d post the recipe for an easier and inexpensive version of the hot cocoa that I make Saturday evening at Catskill Maison.  Clearly if you really want to go all out (as we do at the B&B) don’t use the chocolate packets and invest in higher end chocolate and add bitter sweet chips or chocolate discs to the semi sweet…also substitute cream for the half and half.  If you really want to give your hot chocolate a kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper (I’ve wanted to do this on many occasions but have been overruled by both my mother and innkeeper LOL!)

Ingredients

4 packets of instant hot chocolate mix

1 cup of nestles semi sweet chocolate

1 cup of water

1 cup of half and half

1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract

a pinch of salt.

Bring the water to a boil on high flame, reduce flame and add the packets of hot chocolate.  Whisk completely until dissolved and then add half and half.  When the mixture comes to a simmer, add the chips, vanilla and salt, let simmer stirring continuously.

Serve with your favorite garnishes…we serve with mini white chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, peppermint, and crystallized ginger.  Don’t forget the homemade whipped cream!