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You are here: Home / Recipes / Beverages / Warming Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

Warming Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

December 17, 2018 Updated January 11, 2019 2 Comments

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hot chocolate whipped cream star cookie
Warming Gingerbread Hot Chocolate is rich and creamy and made with all the spicy flavors of gingerbread.  Milk and cream steeped with fresh ginger, molasses, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon.    
 
silver mug and cup with whipped cream small star gingerbread cookies red striped ribbon
 
It’s like drinking a warm gingerbread truffle in a mug and soon to be your favorite hot chocolate recipe.  You can be pouring yourself a mug of gingerbread spice hot chocolate in just minutes.  

How to make gingerbread hot chocolate

 
ingredients for gingerbread hot chocolate1
Molasses pouring into milk and spices2
Milk and spices in red pan on cooktop3

1.  The recipe uses whole milk and cream, fresh ginger, molasses and all the wonderful spices found in gingerbread, cocoa, and semi-sweet chocolate.

2.  In a saucepan add milk, cream, fresh ginger, molasses, whole cloves and allspice berries, ground cinnamon.

3.  Barely bring to a simmer.  Remove from heat cover with a lid and allow mixture to steep for 20 minutes.
straining milk and spices4
Spiced milk pouring into red pan5
whisking chocolate milk6

4.  After 20 minutes. Strain milk and discard all solids.

5.  Return milk to the saucepan and add cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate.  

6.  Once the chocolate has melted, whisk until smooth.  Served with whipped cream or marshmallows, or both.  Optional garnishes:  sprinkles, gingerbread cookies.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Tips for making a sensational cup of gingerbread hot chocolate

  • Use whole milk and cream.  If dairy free is preferred, coconut milk is a great option but any plant-based milk may be used
  • You may have noticed the only sweetener used is a bit of molasses and bittersweet chocolate. It’s my personal choice for less sugar, but feel free to add a tablespoon of brown sugar if you want a sweeter hot chocolate.  I use raw cacao powder as well, but a rich Dutch process cocoa is just as good.   
  • If fresh ginger isn’t available, substitute with 1 teaspoon ground ginger.   If you want a little kick, add a pinch of cayenne.                                                                                                                      
  • Don’t let the milk mixture come to a full rolling boil.  Just a barely a simmer will heat the milk enough to steep the wonderful spices.
  • Feel free to double or triple the batch.  It’s great to have a stash on hand for those late night cravings for chocolate and will keep in for 3-5 days.  
This recipe was inspired by the gingerbread truffles I make every year at Christmas.  The little star, tree, and gingerbread cookies are my favorite Norwegian Pepperkaker which are much like a gingerbread cookie with a hint of ground pepper. 
 
 This recipe for Gingerbread Cake with Caramel Cream Cheese Buttercream from Half Baked Harvest is on my bucket list to make this holiday season.  It’s just the type of gingerbread I’ve been craving. 

Feeling inspired?

If you make my Gingerbread Hot chocolate, please review and give a star rating below in the recipe card.  

hot chocolate whipped cream star cookie
5 from 8 votes
Print

Warming Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

Rich and creamy Gingerbread Hot Chocolate made with all the spicy flavors of gingerbread.  Milk and cream are steeped with fresh ginger, molasses, cloves, allspice, and cinnamon.    

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine American
Keyword chocolate, gingerbread, hot chocolate
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
steep 20 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 3
Calories 431 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup cream
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 10 whole cloves
  • 10 allspice berries
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1- inch piece of ginger sliced
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 1/4 cup semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate
  • Whipped Cream
  • Marshmallows

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan add milk, cream, molasses, and spices over low heat.  Barely bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and cover. Allow mixture to steep for 20 minutes.  

  2. Strain out the solids and discard. Reheat milk mixture then add cocoa and chopped chocolate. Once the chocolate has melted whisk until thick and smooth.

  3. Serve with whipped cream or marshmallows or both!  Makes 3 cups

Recipe Notes

Tips for making a sensational cup of hot chocolate

  • Use whole milk and cream.  If dairy free is preferred, coconut milk is a great option but any plant-based milk can be used
  • You may have noticed that the only sweetener used is a bit of molasses and bittersweet chocolate. It's my personal choice for less sugar, but feel free to add a tablespoon of brown sugar if you want a sweeter hot chocolate.  I use raw cacao powder as well, but a rich Dutch process cocoa is just as good.   
  • If fresh ginger isn't available, substitute with 1 teaspoon ground ginger.   If you want a little kick, add a pinch of cayenne.                                                                                                                      
  • Don't let the milk mixture come to a full rolling boil.  Just a barely a simmer will heat the milk enough to steep the wonderful spices.
  • Feel free to double or triple the batch.  It's great to have a stash on hand for those late night cravings for chocolate and will keep in for 3-5 days.  
Nutrition Facts
Warming Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 431 Calories from Fat 315
% Daily Value*
Fat 35g54%
Saturated Fat 21g105%
Cholesterol 124mg41%
Sodium 108mg5%
Potassium 578mg17%
Carbohydrates 25g8%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 18g20%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 1430IU29%
Vitamin C 0.5mg1%
Calcium 276mg28%
Iron 1.7mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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Spiced Cranberry Wassail

Norwegian Berlinerkranser

 
 
Update notes:  This recipe was originally posted in 2016, but was published again in 2018 with a printable recipe card and nutritional information.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

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Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast Tagged With: gingerbread hot chocolate, hot chocolate

Previous Post: « Grandma’s Famous Mac and Cheese
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Charees Miller says

    December 17, 2018 at 5:20 pm

    5 stars
    This was amazing!!! Spot on! Loved the ginger!

    Reply
    • Janet Barton says

      December 17, 2018 at 5:30 pm

      You’re the best. xoxo

      Reply
5 from 8 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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