Hot Chocolate

The "heavenly" secret is a vanilla bean.

This recipe should be made with traditional Sicilian chocolate (which contains wheat starch) as made by L'Antica Dolceria Bonajuto in Modica, Italy. It's available via their website at http://ragusaonline.com/bonajuto/_index.htm

Louise Pickerel of Muskogee, Oklahoma, writes: "The hot chocolate with coffee and hazelnut liqueurs here is my version of a restaurant recipe. I call it a "chocolate bar," and it does make a nice, lighter alternative to dessert after a filling meal. It's also something good to curl up with in front of the fire." Warming and full of holiday cheer.

This sweet and spiced chai is a cross between gingery masala chai and rich hot cocoa—the best of both cozy drink worlds.

For a more caramel-y depth of flavor, toast the coconut flakes first.

If you want to mellow this out a bit, use strong coffee or a couple teaspoons of espresso powder instead of the freshly made espresso.

Any dark caramel-flavored liquor will work with this; it’s particularly good with rye whiskey or rum.

If you’re feeling really decadent and fancy (as you should), add a splash of half-and-half or heavy cream just before serving.

An unexpected way to revamp hot chocolate.