Homemade Hot Chocolate Stirrers Recipes

Steps:

• You will need:6 cupcake cases, pencil, pastry brush, 6 empty 47g fromage frais pots (washed and dried), 6 wooden lolly sticks, cellophane and string or ribbon for wrapping, 6 gift tagsPush a small hole in the middle of the cupcake cases with a pencil and put aside for later.
• Dip the pastry brush in the sunflower oil and paint a very thin layer of oil over the insides of the fromage frais pots.
• Put the chocolate in a bowl and heat in the microwave in 30-sec bursts until runny, stirring after each blast. Or melt it in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water (get an adult to help you). If you're using different types of chocolate, you should melt them separately.
• Carefully pour the melted chocolate into the pots. Put a lolly stick in the middle of each and sprinkle your chosen decorations around it.
• Sit a cake case on top of each pot so that it covers the chocolate and the stick pokes through the hole. Put them in the fridge to set overnight.
• The next day, carefully pull the chocolates out of the pots and throw away the paper cases. Wrap each in cellophane tied with string and write a tag to read: 'Simply stir into hot milk.'

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread crushed candy canes and marshmallows on 2 plates.
• Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 15-second intervals, stirring after each interval, 1 to 3 minutes. Dip plastic spoons into the melted chocolate, covering the base completely, then cover with candy cane bits or mini marshmallows. Arrange on the parchment paper and freeze until set, about 15 minutes.

Steps:

• Very lightly oil the insides of four egg cups or shot glasses, and set aside. Cut a small slit in the centre of each cupcake case using scissors.
• Melt the dark or milk chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, or in short bursts in the microwave. Divide the melted chocolate between the oiled moulds, then chill for 15 mins. Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate as you did the dark or milk, then pour over the set dark or milk chocolate layer.
• Insert a lolly stick into the centre of each of the moulds, then scatter over the toppings of your choice (see tip, below). Slide the cupcake cases, upside-down, onto the sticks through the slit to help keep the sticks in place. Chill until solid, about 4 hrs, then discard the cupcake cases and package the stirrers. Will keep in a cool, dry place for up to one week.

Steps:

• For the stirrers: Line a small baking sheet with wax or parchment paper. Place the chocolate in a small bowl over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Insert a lollipop stick into each marshmallow. Dip the marshmallows into the chocolate, allowing any excess chocolate to drip back into the bowl. Place on the prepared baking sheet and refrigerate until the chocolate has set, 20 minutes.
• For the hot chocolate: Whisk together the almond milk, cinnamon and nutmeg in a 5-quart saucepan. Bring to just below a boil over medium-high heat. Remove the pan from the heat and add the white chocolate and agave. Stir constantly until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth, 2 minutes. Keep warm over low heat until ready to serve.
• Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and stir with the marshmallow stirrers.

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine sugar, cocoa, and salt, and whisk to combine well. Store the mixture in an airtight container.
• For individual servings, pour 1 cup whole milk into a microwave-safe mug, and microwave on high just until hot. Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa mix, and stir to dissolve. For a larger batch of cocoa, warm the milk in a saucepan set over medium-low heat, taking care not to let the milk boil; as it warms, stir in 2 tablespoons of mix for each cup of milk.

Steps:

• Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.