Today I’ve got something very special for you. The weather’s turning cold, and it’s getting to the point where folks want to spend their evenings inside, curled up on the couch in front of the fireplace or a good movie. And what’s the perfect drink for nights like this? I’ll tell you what: hot chocolate.
A big, steamy cup of chocolatey goodness is the ultimate comfort. There are billions of kinds of hot cocoa out there, from cheaper grocery store brands to expensive chichi varieties that will cost you almost as much as a bottle of wine. But what about the lost art of making cocoa yourself, over the stove, like our grandparents did before you could pick up a box at the grocery store?
Well, today I’m reviving the art of making hot chocolate recipes from scratch.
Today’s recipe is one I’m totally in love with. My favorite flavor combination in the whole world is chocolate and peanut butter. When my grandma would take me to the ice cream shop when I was a kid, I always asked for the same thing: chocolate peanut butter. Whenever my mom would make cookies, I would have the same request: chocolate peanut butter. When my dad would take us to store and let me and my brother pick a single candy bar from row after row of colorful wrappers, what did I grab? Chocolate peanut butter. This sweet, salty and creamy melding of tastes and textures still transports me back to the happy moments of my childhood.
So, today I’m going to give you a little glimpse into my chocolatey, peanut buttery dream-world.
This recipe makes a very thick, very rich drink. So rich, in fact, a full 8 ounce cup may be way too much for one person. I like to serve this cocoa in small, espresso-type cups, because they’re the perfect size to sip from and you can have more than one if you want.
As far as the peanut butter goes, you can use whatever kind you have in your cupboard, as long as it’s creamy. I personally prefer to use a non-salted variety so that I can adjust the saltiness myself, but if you’ve got a bottle of Jif or Skippy hiding somewhere, go ahead and use that. I don’t recommend using chunky peanut butter, which makes for a bizarre texture that doesn’t lend itself to slow sipping.
This recipe was adapted from a drink I used to enjoy at the Bittersweet Cafe, but they’ve discontinued their peanut butter cocoa. Sheer madness, I tell you. If I could marry this hot cocoa recipe, I probably would (sorry, honey).
Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa
My chocolate peanut butter dream drink!
Makes half a gallon of cocoa, which will easily
Ingredients:
- 4 cups 2% milk
- 3/4 cup half and half
- 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2/3 cup of creamy peanut butter
- Salt to taste
- Whipped cream (optional)
Directions:
- In a medium saucepan, heat milk and half and half to 165°F, or until you see foamy bubbles begin to form around the edges. Do not bring it to a full, rolling boil.
- Pour in chocolate chips and stir constantly until all of the chocolate is melted.
- Add peanut butter and brown sugar, again stirring until completely melted and combined.
- If your cocoa is not smooth or has chunks of peanut butter floating around that simply will not melt, run the cocoa through the blender and reheat again before serving.
- Salt to taste and serve with an optional dollop on whipped cream.
Other hot cocoa recipes you might enjoy:
{ 56 comments… read them below or add one }
mmmm. this definitely sounds like the bomb! great hot chocolate
.-= ———->diva´s last blog post – London BBC Good Food Show & Masterchef Live =-.
Definitely! I love it muchly… my very favorite.
Oh good lord, this sounds like it should be illegal. I looove PB & chocolate together, but it never occurred to me to make hot chocolate!
.-= ———->debbie´s last blog post – Linkety Split =-.
SO FREAKING GOOD. You will change your son’s life forever.
This sounds so interesting and perfect for a chocolate/peanut butter lover I know. I must try this!
.-= ———->Christina´s last blog post – TWD: Cran (Raisin) Apple Crisps =-.
Please report back and let me know what you think!
You just put all of my favorite foods together in a beverage. Can’t wait to try this.
.-= ———->Alisa Bowman´s last blog post – The Best Marriage Advice You Ever Got =-.
I know, right? It’s almost like an orgasm in a cup.
Have you seen this peanutbutter/darkchocolate spread?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B001E5E1S2/ref=dp_image_text_0?ie=UTF8&n=16310101&s=grocery
I bought a jar for work, to spread on Suzie’s thin rice crackers.
.-= ———->Karen Murphy´s last blog post – some very random thoughts: political/medical, gastronomical, and astrological =-.
Oh no………………. looks like I’ll have to buy a whole case! Looks perfect!
Must send this to our resident peanut butter cookie fanatic. She’ll be all over this.
Please do! Let me know how she likes it
Yum! Hot chocolate really is not hard to make at all – it’s kind of funny that no one knows how!
Totally! I agree 100%
Dang, that looks good! Do you think natural PB would work? It’s not as creamy as kraft…..I don’t think I want a funny texture thing going on. I like the espresso cup idea. It’s like it’s not that bad for you because it’s so tiny!
.-= ———->Chelsey´s last blog post – Cooking 101: How to Make Fresh Corn Tortillas =-.
It would, though I’d blend it for an extra minute. Even better if you have a mega blender like a vitamix, but it should work fine. Let me know how it goes!
I’d be interested to know what you think about how natural peanut butter would work, too — seems as though it should be okay. I usually make hot cocoa from scratch, but with powder, not chips, have to try the chips I think.
.-= ———->Kerry´s last blog post – Daisycutter: Sara Milonovich =-.
I’d just blend it for a minute or so longer to break up the texture. Try and it report back! I’ll update the post.
Kind of like a liquid-y Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup – but better. Sounds fabulous! And I love the idea of tiny cups, as it sounds super-rich.
Ooooh, good analogy. And you just made me drool. But it’s too late for chocolate. Dangit!
Mmmmmm, hot chocolate, it really is the perfect drink for a winter warm up!
P.S. I found your blog on the BloggersChoiceAwards and think it is great. I voted for you.
If you get time please vote for us in the Best Educational Blog category;
.-= ———->Green Family Blog´s last blog post – Scotch Brite Scrub Pads For Greener Cleaning! =-.
Hey, thanks! I’ll for for you too.
OMG, that sounds soooo delicious! As you said, orgasm in a cup – who’d have thought it?!
I know! Some brilliant mind out there (most likely Seneca at Bittersweet) came up with the most amazing flavor combo.
I can’t wait to try this! Chocolate and peanut butter together is just about the best combination I can think of. “Two great tastes that taste great together” as the old Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup commercial used to say.
.-= ———->Joanne´s last blog post – Real Friends or Facebook Friends? =-.
Totally! I forgot about that commercial… SO true.
Wow, this is such an unusual idea. I want to try it. It would be good for me to add peanut butter since eating protein helps digest sugar and I tend to get hypoglycemic. Thanks for this cool recipe!
.-= ———->Jennifer Margulis´s last blog post – Good Taste Means Less Waste =-.
Nice! Once you give it a try, let me know what you think.
This looks absolutely amazing. I agree with Joanne–chocolate and peanut butter are just a perfect combo (almost better than chocolate and mint). I never would have thought of the combo for hot chocolate. I’ll have to give this a try.
.-= ———->ReadyMom´s last blog post – Ghirardelli cookie disappointment–call for recipes! =-.
It’s divine… I remember the first time I had it, my eyes literally rolled back in my head. So yum.
Stop! Stop it this minute! I beg you. I have work to do, but I want to make this RIGHT NOW!
Alas, there isn’t any half and half in the house.
(
.-= ———->Roxanne @ Champion of My Heart´s last blog post – Howling on Cue =-.
Heh, welll technically, you don’t need the half & half and could use milk for all of it.
In fact, that would make it less bad for you!
Saw this on foodbuzz today. Looks quite delicious!
.-= ———->Sabrina Rose´s last blog post – Cherry Vanilla Rice Pudding =-.
Thanks! Glad you like it
This sounds incredible. I’m thinking that a little bourbon in it would be good, too. What liquor goes best with peanut butter?
.-= ———->ruth pennebaker´s last blog post – The Upper West Side Twin =-.
Ooooh, hadn’t thought of that. Not really sure what would be good – bourbon or brandy?
That picture is fabulous! Wow. I’m allergic to peanut butter but I love making hot cocoa all the time! It’s so easy. This sounds wonderful. Maybe I’ll think about making it with almond butter….
.-= ———->Christine´s last blog post – Welcoming Anna =-.
Thanks! You can totally make this with almond or cashew butter. If you use cashew butter, you can’t tell that it’s not peanut!
My peanut butter loving son will LOVE this. Thanks!
.-= ———->Kris Bordessa´s last blog post – My Holiday Home Column is Live =-.
Awesome! Let me know what you think
That looks and sounds fantastic. My sister is a big chocolate fan and also has a bit of a thing for peanut butter. I may have to surprise her next time she’s round with one of these. Oh, and in my case, the whipped cream won’t be optional, it will be a must!!
Ooooh! Talk about a perfect surprise! You sound like a great brother
I definitely need to blend mine! Haha! Turned out good though. The whipped cream is a must-have in my opinion.
Thanks for the feedback.
I’ll add it to the post…
I think you may have just solved the riddle to “is there a better hot chocolate than Angelina Paris?”…I just might cope without Angelina’s hot chocolate once I’m back in the states!
Thanks!
OMG, your post made me want to go to Paris so badly. *le sigh*
Oh, yum! I was just talking about making hot chocolate and posting it on our blog. This sounds so unique; I just love thick, velvety chocolate. And, the hubby is a HUGE fan of chocolate and peanut butter. Steph, I’ll let you know when we make this recipe because I am sure it will be sometime soon.
.-= Check out Akila´s last blog post: sweet potatoes, three ways =-.
Please do! I’d love some feeedback on the recipe. Thanks
This is some amazing hot chocolate. I just made it and I’m in love with this drink. It’s like eating a melted down Reese’s cup…so good! Thanks again for the recipe! My family and I enjoyed it and I will definately make it again!
Go glad you liked it! I’m terribly in love with it myself. SO GOOD.
omg..this is soooo frikken good, amazing,thanks for sharring!!!
.-= Check out Ginger Cookies´s last blog post: Cranberry Cookie Kisses =-.
Just found this one …going to make it now…sounds delicious! I love chocolate/peanut butter combo!
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I am devastated that Bittersweet cafe in SF closed; the peanut butter hot choc was my sweetie’s favorite thing.
Imagine my delight to do a search for something I could try to make him at home, and your blog was the very first one to come up!!!
Yay BAFB!
That definitely sounds like a winning combination! With the snow here today…I think I may have to surprise the kids with this!
Mmm, I’m totally going to make this. Thanks for the recipe!
You mentioned that you may end up with chunks of peanut butter and have to use the blender. Do you think it would help to add some of the hot chocolate/milk to the peanut butter and stir it to thin it out, then add that back to the pan — kind of like you do before adding flour to a gravy base?
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