Fancy Hot Chocolate

Fancy Hot Chocolate is a rich, creamy hot cocoa poured over a lacy chocolate decoration into a cup. It is the ultimate hot chocolate for a tea party or special brunch or luncheon.

Fancy Hot Chocolate in a holiday tea cup

Years ago I watched Pioneer Woman make this Fancy Hot Chocolate on her show. She said she went for Afternoon Tea and was served these lacy chocolate decorations on top of the tea cup and that the hot chocolate was poured through the decoration. I thought this would be perfect for a Tea Party for Kids!

The lacy decorations are made in advance and placed on top of the cups while setting the table. When everyone is seated, the hot chocolate is poured through the chocolate into each person’s cup. Then the hot chocolate can be stirred to melt the decoration and you can add whipped cream, sprinkles, crushed peppermint, basically anything you like on hot cocoa! Fancy Hot Chocolate is great for a tea party, brunch, lunch, or any meal you want to make extra special!

Recipe Details

ingredients

This recipe consists of milk and half and half, both bittersweet and semisweet chocolate, vanilla extract, and tiny bit of sugar. You can use any kind of milk you’d like, and even substitute the half and half with milk if you choose.

The milk and half and half is combined in a saucepan on the stove and heated. Once warm, the chocolates, sugar, and vanilla are added. The mixture should be stirred occasionally until the chocolate is melted. Then the hot chocolate can be transferred to a tea pot or pitcher.

Making the Chocolate Lace Decorations

The chocolate decorations may look fancy, but they are actually quite easy to make. Here’s how I do it:

Turn over the cup or mug you plan on using onto a piece of parchment paper or waxed paper.

tea cup turned over on parchment paper with a pencil next to it

Using a pencil, trace around the top rim of the cup.

pencil circle on parchment paper

Use a black permanent marker to trace the pencil circle onto the parchment.

permanent marker circle on parchment paper

Flip the paper over so you can still see the circle through the paper.

parchment paper turned over with permanent marker circle on the other side

Melt the semisweet chocolate in the microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals until completely melted, stirring with a silicone spatula in between each interval.

Transfer the melted chocolate to a disposable pastry bag fitted with a small round tip or to a resealable gallon sized bag with a small piece of the corner snipped off. I recommend using a tip no smaller than a #3 Wilton. If the chocolate lines are too thin, the decoration will be delicate and more prone to breaking when you remove it from the paper.

Pipe the chocolate in a lacy pattern, making sure to go a bit over the lines of the circle so the design will be large enough to rest on top of the cup. Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or in the refrigerator or freezer to speed up the process. Once the chocolate is completely set, carefully peel it off of the parchment or waxed paper. Store decorations in a single layer or between pieces of waxed paper in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Serving the Hot Chocolate

To serve, place a lacy chocolate decoration on the top of each cup or mug.

chocolate decoration resting on top of a tea cup

Carefully pour the hot chocolate into each cup by pouring through the decoration.

Fancy Hot Chocolate in a holiday tea cup

The heat of the hot chocolate will melt the chocolate, and it will fall into the liquid.

Fancy Hot Chocolate in a holiday tea cup

You can then stir the chocolate into your cup to melt it and add whipped cream if desired.

Fancy Hot Chocolate in a holiday tea cup

Hot Chocolate without the Decoration

If you’re pressed for time, you can skip the chocolate decorations and serve the hot chocolate with whipped cream and festive sprinkles. I have done this for Valentine’s Day.

cup with whipped cream and Valentine's sprinkles
cup with whipped cream and Valentine's sprinkles
cup with whipped cream and Valentine's sprinkles
Fancy Hot Chocolate Pin

Looking for Desserts to go with Your Hot Chocolate?

These desserts are perfect for a winter tea party or lunch:
Mini Hot Chocolate Cheesecakes
Mini Mocha Cheesecakes
Bailey’s Irish Cream Mini Cheesecakes
Espresso Chocolate Chip Shortbread
Dark Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies
Triple Chocolate Biscotti
Christmas Butter Cookies
Coconut Macaroons

Looking for More Special Drink Recipes?

Check out these drinks for special occasions:
Pink Citrus Punch {Christmas Punch}
Easy Whipped Dalgona Coffee
Witches Brew Punch
Pumpkin Latte
Apple Pie Floats
Homemade Mango Lassi
Homemade Orange Julius

Fancy Hot Chocolate in a holiday tea cup

Fancy Hot Chocolate

Meghan
Fancy Hot Chocolate is a rich, creamy hot cocoa poured over a lacy chocolate decoration into a cup. It is the ultimate hot chocolate for a tea party or special brunch or luncheon.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

For the Chocolate Lace Decorations:

  • 3 ounces semisweet chocolate, melted (see note)

For the Hot Chocolate:

  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1/2 cup good quality bittersweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup good quality semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Serving:

  • Whipped cream (optional)

Instructions
 

To Make the Chocolate Decorations:

  • Turn over a coffee mug or tea cup onto a piece of parchment or waxed paper. Using a pencil, trace around the rim. Trace the pencil circle using a black permanent marker. Flip the paper over and place onto a baking sheet.
  • Place the melted chocolate into a disposable pastry bag fitted with small round tip or in a resealable gallon sized bag with the tip cut off of a corner.
  • Pipe lacy chocolate designs just larger than the circles on the paper. Allow the chocolate to set at room temperature or by slipping the baking sheet into the refrigerator or freezer.
  • Once the chocolate is set, carefully peel the chocolate decorations off of the paper. Store the decorations in an airtight container at room temperature or refrigerated until ready to serve the Hot Chocolate.

To Make the Hot Chocolate:

  • Combine the milk and half and half in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
  • When the milk mixture is warm, add both kinds of chocolate chips, sugar, and vanilla.
  • Continue to heat until melted and fully incorporated, stirring occasionally.
  • Transfer the hot chocolate to a teapot or pitcher.

To Serve the Hot Chocolate:

  • Place a lacy chocolate piece over each mug or cup. Pour the hot chocolate into the mug or cup through the lacy designs.
  • When the chocolate has melted into the drink, top with whipped cream, if desired.

Notes

I recommend melting the chocolate in the microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals until completely melted, stirring with a silicone spatula in between each interval.
Source: Adapted from the Pioneer Woman
You’re Gonna Bake It After All
bakeitafterall.com
Keyword chocolate, drink, gluten free, holiday


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