Spiced Hot Chocolate on a Stick

We like spicy in this house and this Spiced Hot Chocolate on a Stick is no exception. Spices don’t just taste good, they are loaded with many health benefits as well. Creamy. Steamy. Comfort and convenience on a stick. Perfect for a homemade gift for the holidays or a solo cup of cozy.

Now Why Didn’t I Think of This?

I am all about cozy. The Danish actually have a word that describes all things cozy. Hygge is a word that embraces those aspects of life that give us a sense of belonging and connection, of slowing down and savoring. I love the word Hygge and I love to create those Hygge moments of coziness, especially in the winter holiday months. You can check out my post on the difference between Hygge and Abiding Joy here.

Spiced Hot Chocolate on a Stick is a perfect Hygge treat. There is just something about holding that hot cup of liquid warmth in your hands on a chilly morning or evening and sipping something spicy that chases away the chill. Who doesn’t love a cup of hot chocolate? Especially homemade hot chocolate. Now, your favorite soothing hot drink is transportable, giftable and it comes with its own convenient stirring stick. How cool is that?

Recipes are Guidelines to Hold Loosely

This recipe makes 8-10 Spiced Hot Chocolate Sticks, depending on your mold. I know there are a lot of variables, but there are a lot of tastes out there nowadays. Some want milk chocolate. Others prefer dark. What about those who prefer a vegan chocolate? In my experience, people already have their own favorite chocolate to cook or bake with. My favorite is Ghirardelli 60% bittersweet chocolate chips. They melt beautifully and have the perfect balance of bitter and sweet.

French Chef, Jacques Pépin, states that a recipe is a guide and a teaching tool. We must adjust it to fit our own tastes. Feel free to omit the spices or take it down a notch by adding only 1 tsp. cinnamon. What you put into your Hot Chocolate on a Stick is entirely up to you. I find that children love spices, but maybe your children are sensitive to the hint of heat. I LOVE all the flavor notes of the spices mixed with chocolate. Not only do they add amazing flavor, but health benefits as well. Spices are loaded with phytochemicals that reduce inflammation. So bring on the spices.

Recipe

Makes 10 pops in my silicone mold

• 16 oz chocolate (2 cups chips or 4- 4oz bars) of your choice.
• 1/4-1/2 cup Sucanant sugar or sugar of your choice. The amount is determined by the chocolate you use. For example, milk chocolate is sweeter so requires less sugar. Dark is more bitter in flavor.
• 2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice (I use this because it has all the spices I would normally add already mixed together. If you don’t have pumpkin pie spice then just add 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp ground cloves)
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric
• 1/4 tsp. black pepper
• 1/4 tsp. cardamom
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• any embellishments such as marshmallows, candy cane chips, slivered almonds, mini chocolate chips, or sprinkles
• serve with 8 oz hot milk of your choice per Hot Chocolate stick

Method

I like to melt my chocolate in a makeshift double broiler. This prevents the chocolate from burning to the bottom of the pan and allows it to melt more evenly. To begin, take a saucepan and add about 2 cups of water and place a stainless steel bowl on top filled with the chocolate, sugar, and spices (save the vanilla for after chocolate is removed from heat). After it is melted, remove from heat and add vanilla. Allow to cool for a few minutes before adding to the molds.

Fill each mold evenly and place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes, before adding the popsicle sticks, to allow the chocolate to cool so the popsicle sticks will stay put. If you place the sticks in right away, they will lean and harden incorrectly. After 10 minutes, place a stick in the middle of each mold and return to the refrigerator. They take about 2 hours to completely chill and harden.

Additionally, if you want to add embellishments like mini marshmallows, slivered almonds, mini chocolate chips, crushed candy cane, or sprinkles, you will do this right after you insert your popsicle sticks. Add a little extra to the bags to add some bling.

Note: Keep your Spiced Hot Chocolate Sticks in a cool, dry place so they don’t melt. They will stay fine at room temperature, as do chocolate chips, but extreme heat will cause them to melt. Additionally, don’t store in the refrigerator because the humidity in your refrigerator causes the chocolate to turn a cloudy white color as well as your embellishments, like marshmallows or candy cane chips, to get wet. What a gooey mess. Ask me how I know this…

How to Serve

Now it may be tempting to think you can just take this chocolate sucker on a stick out of its bag and nail it in three bites…and you could, but it is meant to stir into 8 oz of steaming hot milk of choice. I love it stirred into homemade almond cashew milk topped with a homemade marshmallow. Swirl until it dissolves and enJOY!

Give a Cozy Gift

Spiced Hot Chocolate on a Stick is a homemade, fun, and inexpensive gift that shows how much you care. Mugs are reasonably priced at your local TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Place one Hot Chocolate Stick, wrapped in a cellophane candy bag, in a mug. Teenagers and college students love mugs and homemade hot chocolate. As do coworkers or your children’s teachers. They are great prize ideas or party favors. Add a little card with instructions and you have a beautiful and thoughtful gift that will bring much JOY.

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Snowman Mugs (in case you ask…because I would have:))

Gift bags were purchased from The Package House on Etsy. Unfortunately, their shop is temporary closed. These Cellophane gift bags would work.

Popsicle sticks

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In everything you do -eat, play, and, love- may it always be Seasoned with Joy!