How To: 'Hot Chocolate' Balls = Next-Level Instant Cocoa

Winter—or any cold, gray day, for that matter—is the best time for a warm cup of something hot.

For me, hot chocolate is my "warm cup" of choice: rich and milky, deliciously sweet, and oh-so-comforting. On super-cold days when I can't feel my face, a nice, large cup of hot chocolate warms my tummy and cheers me up. (And lucky for me, it's pretty healthy for me too!)

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I normally settle for a powdered packet with dehydrated marshmallows out of convenience, but a recent video by America's Test Kitchen has made the idea of enjoying a creamy, rich cup not only convenient, but simple.

These 'hot chocolate' balls, also known as hot chocolate truffles, are incredibly easy to make and taste a million times better than the powdered stuff. If you didn't watch the video, then you can follow the steps below.

Ingredients

• 12 oz. of semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• ¼ tsp. salt

Step 1: Combine the Ingredients

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine chocolate, heavy cream (or half-and-half if you prefer to keep it a little lighter), and salt, then stir to mix.

Step 2: Heat the Ingredients

Place your bowl into the microwave and heat on high for 2 minutes. After 1 minute has passed, pause the microwave setting and stir again. Place the bowl back into the microwave and allow it to finish cooking.

When you remove the bowl from the microwave, you should be able to stir the mixture into a smooth concentrate of melted chocolate, or ganache, as seen below. If your chocolate is still not completely melted, heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time and stir until the consistency is correct.

Step 3: Cool Your Mixture

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 2 hours, or until the chocolate is firm and scoopable.

Step 4: Divide Your Chocolate into Individual Portions

Use an ice cream scoop or cookie dough scoop to portion 3 Tbsp. sized balls of hot chocolate concentrate onto a plate until the bowl is empty.

Step 5: Store & Freeze

Wrap each ball in plastic wrap, then place in an airtight ziplock bag. The chocolate concentrate can be placed in either a fridge for up to 5 days or the freezer for up to 2 months.

Step 6: When Ready to Use, Unwrap, Heat, & Enjoy!

When you're ready to enjoy your creamy cuppa, remove a single portion from the ziplock bag, unwrap, and drop into a 1 cup of milk (any kind). Then, heat the milk in the microwave for 2 minutes (or until the chocolate completely dissolves in the milk) and stir. Delicious!

Hot Chocolate Heaven

This handy tip sounds like an awesome way to make hot chocolate for a large group on a ski trip or a cozy family gathering at home. It's also easier than making each cup separately every time.

And the method allows for a lot of variation, too. Katrina of In Katrina's Kitchen rolls the balls in mini-marshmallows for an extra treat. Kendra of Stop Looking Get Cookin' creates Oreo truffles from the basic recipe by adding cream cheese and Oreo crumbs. Fab Fatale makes a seasonal treat by coating the balls in crushed peppermint candy to add a minty kick. I'm sure you can come up with even more delicious ideas!

I love this idea and can't wait to build a wide selection for my friends and family at home to sample on cold, blustery nights. If you've been inspired to do the same, let us know how you've enjoyed your own hot cuppa in the comments.

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• Easy DIY Gourmet Chocolate Bars
• How to Make Custom-Shaped Chocolates at Home
• How to Temper Chocolate
• How to Make Melted Dipping Chocolate Without a Kitchen
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