Butterbeer Hot Chocolate

We had no classes on Wednesday for Veteran's Day/Armistice Day, and so for the first time this semester I had enough time and will to go out and buy a broom and go to a quidditch game. And I am totally regretting that I didn't go until now. So much fun! If you're in college and you haven't played or if your area has an adult league, highly recommend it. Seriously, running around with a broom between your legs is ten times more fun than any other sport could ever hope to be. It's like soccer, dodgeball, and football combined.

And on that related note, it was also freezing cold and raining and the miserable, slow descent into winter with the so cold but just above freezing rain and sleet is continuing here, so it's time to bring out the hot chocolate. And what better way than with butterbeer?

If you make the original recipe (linked below), it'll taste a lot like the Butterbeer Cupcakes I made a few weeks ago. And I did try it with the pumpkin, but I couldn't get past the grainy texture, so I revised it a bit and eliminated the pumpkin and cut back on the cinnamon.

Still delicious :)  

"You and I" Ingrid Michaelson

(I'm going to visit a friend this weekend and this song always makes me think of her.)

Adapted from Half-Baked Harvest

Ingredients

• 4 1/2 cups whole milk or unsweetened almond milk
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
• 1/3 cup butterscotch sauce (recipe below)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons bourbon (optional) (consider it your very own firewhiskey ;) )
• For Butterscotch Cream
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons butterscotch sauce (homemade recipe below)
• 1 vanilla bean, seeds removed or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• For Butterscotch Sauce
• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)

Directions

Add the milk to a large heavy bottomed pot. Add the cocoa powder, cinnamon, milk chocolate, butterscotch sauce, vanilla, butter and bourbon (if using). Place the pot over medium low heat until the milk is scalding, but not boiling. Be sure to stir the pot often to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom and burning.

Meanwhile, make the butterscotch whipped cream. Add the cream to a large mixing bowl and whip until stiff peaks form. Add the vanilla bean and whip until combined. Stir in the butterscotch, leaving streaks in the whipped cream. Keep in the fridge until read to serve.

Once the hot chocolate is steaming, ladle into mugs and dollop with cream. 

!For Butterscotch Sauce

Melt the butter in a small sauce pot. Add the brown sugar, heavy cream and salt. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium. Boil for 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and bourbon, if using.