#winterdessert

Savour the intensely flavoured Mexican Hot Chocolate by biting into these delicious chocolate balls. These are ideal as a warm dessert in the winter or to enjoy by the fireplace.

Ingredients: 2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips. 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder. 1/4 cup of granulated sugar. 1/4 cup of instant coffee granules. 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. 1/4 teaspoon of salt. 1/2 cup of heavy cream. 1/4 cup of milk. 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. 1/2 cup of crushed cinnamon graham crackers. 1/4 cup of powdered sugar for rolling. Optional toppings: marshmallows, whipped cream, cinnamon sticks.

Instructions: Melt the semisweet chocolate chips in 30-second increments in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring until smooth. This ought to take one or two minutes. Add the salt, ground cinnamon, cayenne pepper, instant coffee granules, granulated sugar, and unsweetened cocoa powder and stir until well combined. The heavy cream and milk should be heated in a different saucepan over medium heat until they begin to simmer. After taking off the heat, whisk in the vanilla extract. Pour the hot cream mixture into the chocolate mixture gradually while continuing to whisk the mixture until it becomes glossy and smooth. Once the mixture is firm enough to handle, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for one to two hours. After the chocolate mixture hardens, take tiny portions with a spoon and roll them into balls that are roughly an inch in diameter. Powdered sugar and crushed cinnamon graham crackers should be combined in a different bowl. Coat every chocolate ball uniformly by rolling it in the graham cracker mixture. To set, place the coated chocolate balls on a tray covered with parchment paper and refrigerate for a further half hour. Optional: For added taste and presentation, top with marshmallows, whipped cream, or cinnamon sticks just before serving. Savor your delicious Mexican Hot Chocolate Balls as a cozy treat on a cold day!

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Old Fashioned Baked Rice Pudding

This old fashioned baked rice pudding is rib sticking and warming. It’s best eaten in front of the fire with an episode of your favourite box set, when the table is cleared and the dishwasher is doing its job.