foodie

baby it’s cold outside {a vanilla fleur de sel caramel hot chocolate recipe}

“love is like swallowing hot chocolate before it has cooled off. it takes you by surprise at first, but keeps you warm for a long time.”
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hi friends,
i know, it’s been a little quiet on this left coast front these past few days. i think, as i pushed my way through the last harrowing week of work, my body and soul were sending a serious distress signal – r-e-s-t. meaning, turn off the phone and *gasp* the computer and simmer in the luxury of doing nothing. 
so grudgingly, i did. my favorite guy helped me stay put with a marathon of “the wire” {have any of you watched this show? it’s crazy, fantastically great!!!} and a spin on a little holiday favorite of mine – vanilla fleur de sel caramel hot chocolate. and just like “the wire,” this little cup of goodness is equally crazy, fantastically, omigosh-am-i-in-heaven great. mmmm….
and to help keep our tummies and hearts warm this winter, here’s my beloved recipe for all of us to sip all day long. i hope you love it as much as i do!
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vanilla fleur de sel caramel hot chocolate
via good life eats
serves 4-6

ingredients:

2 teaspoons cornstarch
4 cups milk, divided
1 vanilla bean
6 ounce dark chocolate (at least 70% cacao), chopped
4 tablespoons sugar
2/3 cup caramel, melted
3/4 teaspoon beanilla vanilla fleur de sel

directions:

in a medium saucepan, whisk the cornstarch and the milk together. add the vanilla bean to the milk and slowly bring to a simmer, then reduce to low and let the vanilla steep for 15 minutes.

meanwhile, combine the melted caramel (or you can use homemade or a high quality store bought caramel sauce) with the vanilla fleur de sel. Discard the vanilla bean. stir in the chocolate and sugar, whisking until the sugar has dissolved and the chocolate has melted.

pour the hot chocolate into 4 individual mugs. drizzle 2 1/2 tablespoons of the vanilla fleur de sel caramel in each mug. top with an additional splash of milk and sprinkle with vanilla fleur de sel, if desired. serve hot.

what about you friends? what are your favorite holiday treats to help keep you warm and fuzzy?
xo,
s
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4 comments

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4 Comments

  1. reegsta wrote:

    The Wire is indeed dope…gotta power-disc through it though haha.

    Posted 12.28.10 Reply
  2. Miss ED wrote:

    OMG This is perfect. I have yet to get out of bed, but now I know what’s going to be the token drink of the day! Happy Holidays 😀

    Posted 12.25.10 Reply
  3. Glocal Girl wrote:

    mmmm I like the classic chocolate chip cookies, but half baked so they’re all warm and gooey 🙂

    Happy Holidays!
    http://www.GlocalGirl.com

    Posted 12.22.10 Reply
  4. sacramento wrote:

    How delicious, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I want one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

    Posted 12.22.10 Reply