I can’t make it through winter without hot chocolate. And I can’t go one Christmas without at least one glass of egg nog. But the same ol’ recipes for these traditional drinks become mundane year aft er year. So I decided to seek out recipes that liven them up with some of my favorite flavors.
Hazelnut Hot Chocolate perfectly combines warm milk and deliciously creamy Nutella. Every time I hear the mere mention of the chocolate-hazelnut spread being used in a recipe, my reaction is always the same…”Mmmmm, Nutella!” It makes everything – bread, cookies, probably even brussel sprouts – taste better. Th is sweet drink is no exception.
Egg nog is always served during at least one of my family’s Christmas gatherings. I thought I would be hard pressed to find a recipe that changed up this classic concoction. But I stumbled across Apple Pie Nog, which not only adds another depth of flavor, but also takes out the work of beating a dozen eggs. Now that I have a baby, I’m all for quick and easy recipes.
I hope you enjoy these festive drinks, and that you’re inspired to create versions of your own.
HAZELNUT HOT CHOCOLATE FOR TWO
1 ¼ cups milk
3 Tbl. Nutella
whipped cream
1 Tbl. chopped hazelnuts
a shot of coffee liqueur (optional)
Heat ¼ cup of milk and the Nutella in a saucepan, whisking.
Add remaining milk and whisk until frothy. Add liqueur, if desired.
Pour in two mugs and top with whipped cream and chopped hazelnuts.
APPLE PIE NOG
2 cups melted vanilla ice cream
2 cups apple juice
½ tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. allspice
whipped cream
graham cracker crumbs
apple brandy (optional)
Mix ice cream and apple juice. Add cinnamon and allspice. Add apple brandy, if desired.
Top with whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs. –JESSICA WRIGHT
