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.
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!
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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.
Making the Hot Chocolate
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.
Using a pencil, trace around the top rim of the cup.
Use a black permanent marker to trace the pencil circle onto the parchment.
Flip the paper over so you can still see the circle through the paper.
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
To serve, place a lacy chocolate decoration on the top of each cup or mug.
Carefully pour the hot chocolate into each cup by pouring through the decoration.
The heat of the hot chocolate will melt the chocolate, and it will fall into the liquid.
You can then stir the chocolate into your cup to melt it and add whipped cream if desired.
Alternative Serving Option
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.
Desserts that Pair with 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
📖 Recipe
Fancy Hot Chocolate
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
- ½ cup good quality bittersweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup good quality semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ 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.
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