Mayan Hot Chocolate

Amy Pollock (National Herb Garden Intern, 2001–2002)

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Rich hot chocolate infused with vanilla, hazelnuts, Ceylon cinnamon, and chile heat.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  

  • 20 Sonoran chile peppers (or 1–2 regular hot peppers)
  • 1 pint whipping cream
  • 1 gallon whole milk
  • 2 vanilla beans, split lengthwise
  • 2 ounces hazelnuts, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
  • 20 ounces semisweet hot chocolate
  • 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions

 

Chile Infusion
  1. Crush the chile peppers in a small dish; put peppers into a saucepan, and add 2 cups boiling water.
  2. Cook until liquid is reduced to approximately 1 cup. Strain water, discard peppers, and set aside.
Hot Chocolate Base
  1. In a large pot, combine cream, milk, vanilla beans, hazelnuts, and cinnamon. Warm over medium heat until bubbles form around edge of pot, whisking occasionally so milk doesn’t burn.
  2. Reduce heat to low. Add semisweet and unsweetened chocolate and honey. Whisk occasionally until chocolate is melted. Turn off the heat. Remove vanilla beans and strain out the hazelnuts.
Finish
  1. Add the chile-infused water a little at a time until desired heat is achieved, tasting after each addition.

Notes

From The Herb Society of America’s Essential Guide to Growing and Cooking with Herbs.

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