El Dorado Hot Chocolate Recipes

Steps:

• Stir the sugar and 2 tablespoons of the water together in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Uncover and continue to cook, swirling the pan but not stirring, until the sugar is a dark golden caramel, 7 to 10 minutes. (It should smell slightly burnt.).
• Pull pan from the heat and carefully pour the 1/4 cup water into the caramel. Take care; it may spatter a lot. Whisk until smooth and allow to cool. (The burnt caramel can be held for up to 2 weeks at room temperature.)
• When ready to serve: Put 3 tablespoons of the burnt caramel into 4 mugs or cups and top evenly with the chopped chocolate. Bring the milk to a simmer in a medium pan over medium heat. Pull pan from the heat and add the Goldschlager and rum; pour over the chocolate. Serve El Dorado Hot Chocolates with a spoon to stir the layers together.
• Cook's Note: Goldschlager is a cinnamon flavored liqueur with small flecks of edible gold.

Steps:

• Beat 1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar and 1 stick butter until fluffy, then beat in 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 cup molasses, 2 tablespoons minced crystallized ginger and a large pinch each of ground cinnamon and cloves with the egg. Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon baking soda; stir into the butter mixture. Do not chill. Drop by tablespoonfuls, sprinkle with coarse sugar and bake 8 to 12 minutes at 350 degrees.

Steps:

• Place a slab of robiola or other soft, creamy cheese and a stack of toasted bread slices on a cheese board or slate. Scoop some chocolate-hazelnut spread (such as Nutella) into a bowl. Let guests make chocolate-and-cheese crostini; sprinkle with sea salt, if desired.

Steps:

• Beat 1 1/4 cups dark brown sugar and 1 stick butter until fluffy, then beat in 1 egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Whisk 1 1/2 cups flour, 1/4 cup malted milk powder, 1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, 3/4 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon baking soda; stir into the butter mixture. Chill 30 minutes, then roll into balls. Press a halved malted milk ball into the center of each cookie before baking, 12 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

Steps:

• Make the churros: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and fit a pastry bag with a 1/2-inch star tip; set aside. Combine 1 cup water, the butter, shortening, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar and the salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir in the flour with a wooden spoon, then reduce the heat to low and stir vigorously until the mixture forms a ball, about 1 minute. Let cool slightly, then transfer the dough to the pastry bag. Pipe 1-inch logs onto the prepared baking sheet, using kitchen shears to snip off each piece (you should have 26 to 28 churros). Let rest at room temperature, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the hot chocolate: Bring the milk to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the chocolate, dulce de leche and cinnamon stick. Cook, stirring, until the chocolate melts and the mixture is combined, about 2 minutes. Cover and keep warm over low heat.
• Fry the churros: Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a Dutch oven or large pot until a deep-fry thermometer registers 360 degrees F. Combine the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar, the brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a large bowl. Working in three batches, fry the churros until golden and crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a rack set over a baking sheet. Let cool about 5 minutes, then add to the cinnamon sugar and toss to coat.
• Remove the cinnamon stick from the hot chocolate and divide among mugs. Top with whipped cream and drizzle with dulce de leche. Serve with the churros.

Steps:

• Shake all ingredients together with ice.
• Strain into a cocktail glass.
• Garnish with grated chocolate.