All The Creative Ways To Use Hot Chocolate Mix
Almost everyone has an endless supply of hot chocolate mix during the holiday season. Luckily, the instant powder can be used for more than just warm drinks. It can actually be used as a cocoa powder substitute in several chocolate desserts, like mug cakes, chocolate cookies, and cocoa cupcakes. Here are a few delicious and creative ways to put the winter treat to good use, courtesy of Food Network.
Hot chocolate mix adds an interesting twist to a traditional cheesecake by lending its sweet flavor to the traditional crust and filling. For the cake crust, pulse graham crackers in a food processor until finely ground. Add butter, hot chocolate mix, and salt. Mix well and pour into the prepared pan and spread evenly. Bake until the crust is just firm, about 10 minutes.
For the filling, pulse cream cheese, sugar, hot chocolate mix, and sour cream until completely smooth. Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix well and pour the filling into the crust. Set the pan inside a roasting pan. Bake the cheesecake for one hour and 10 minutes until the edge is set but the center jiggles slightly. Turn the oven off and let the cheesecake sit in the oven until cooked through. Check out the full recipe for more detailed instructions.
Hot chocolate mix also creates a crisp, chocolate crust on buttery monkey bread. Each slice is filled with warm, melted chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. Cut biscuit dough into quarters. Then combine with hot cocoa mix and sugar in a large bowl. Add a third of the biscuits to the melted butter and roll them in the hot chocolate mixture. Add them to the Bundt pan in an even layer and sprinkle with marshmallows and chocolate chips.
Repeat the process to make two more layers of biscuits rolled in hot chocolate mix, with marshmallows and chocolate chips. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 35 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, until golden brown. Gently pull the bread from the sides of the pan with a knife or offset spatula. Check out the full recipe for more detailed instructions.
One of the most popular uses for hot chocolate mix is hot chocolate brownies. According to Food Network, these one-bowl desserts are super easy to make. Stir together butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Add the flour, hot chocolate mix, salt, and baking powder. Stir until just combined. Then mix in half the chocolate chips. Spread the mixture in the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 35 minutes, until the brownies separate from the edges of the pan. Remove from the oven immediately and sprinkle with the remaining chocolate chips. Let the hot chocolate mix brownies stand until they are very soft. Spread the melted chips evenly with a spatula, and allow them to cool for about 10 minutes. Cut into squares and top each with mini marshmallows.
Remember to avoid hot chocolate or cocoa mix with powdered milk or dairy products. These can change the texture and structure of each dish. Other cool recipes, like hot chocolate pudding and hot chocolate pancakes, can be found online or in any good recipe book.
