How to Make Hot Chocolate With Roasted Beans

Roasted cocoa beans can be used to make tasty, homemade hot chocolate.

Powdered hot chocolate mixtures are widely available from grocery and specialty stores. While these packaged powders are easy and convenient, and can be tasty, they won't quite hit the spot if you're looking for a more authentic taste. You can make your own Mexican hot chocolate mix, which requires the addition of warm milk, at home using roasted cocoa beans.

Things You'll Need

• Roasted, peeled cocoa beans (2 1/2 cups)
• Superfine sugar (2 cups)
• Mexican cinnamon
• Food processor
• Measuring cup
• Milk
• Saucepan
• Wooden spoon
• Milk frother
• Mugs

Instructions

1. Rinse the blade and bowl of a food processor under hot running water for several minutes to warm them. Dry the parts thoroughly and assemble the machine.

2. Add 2 1/2 cups of roasted, peeled cocoa beans to the bowl of the food processor.

3. Process the roasted cocoa beans for two minutes. If the ground beans do not darken and begin to appear oily, which indicates that the cocoa butter is separating, process the cocoa beans for another 30 seconds.

4. Add 2 cups of superfine sugar and 1 tbsp. of Mexican cinnamon to the ground cocoa bean mixture. Add it in slowly, in small amounts at a time, while the food processor's motor is running. Process the mixture until the ingredients are thoroughly combined.

5. Let the mixture cool while you warm 3 cups of milk in a saucepan over low heat.

6. Add 1/2 cup of your homemade hot chocolate mix to the warm milk and stir well. Froth the hot chocolate with a milk frother and pour into mugs before serving.

Tips & Warnings

• Store your chocolate mixture at room temperature in a tightly sealed container.

• Exercise caution when working with food processors and hot liquids.

References

• Gourmet Sleuth: Homemade Mexican Chocolate Blend