French Broad Hot Chocolate Recipe

This signature hot chocolate recipe comes from French Broad Chocolate Lounge and is a two-part process. The drink is ganache-based, which is easier to make than you think. Want to spice it up a bit? We have a few alternatives to this beverage that will make for a gourmet treat.

Ingredients for Chocolate Ganache

• 4 oz. bittersweet chocolate (65% cacao mass)
• 4 oz. heavy cream

Method

1. Chop chocolate into small pieces and place in a heatproof bowl.
2. Bring cream to boil in a small saucepan over med/high heat.
3. As soon as it reaches a boil, pour the cream over chopped chocolate.
4. Let sit for 1 minute, covered.
5. Whisk gently to combine the chocolate and cream.
6. As the mixture emulsifies, it will start to take on the appearance of thick pudding.
7. Once all the chocolate is incorporated, your ganache is ready.

Ingredients for Hot Chocolate

• 8 oz. ganache (1 recipe from above)
• 24 oz. organic whole milk

Method

1. Combine milk and ganache in a large saucepan over med/low heat.
2. Stir constantly with a whisk, until the mixture starts to simmer (you want some bubbles, but not a rapid boil).
3. Serve immediately.

Modify

• Variation 1—To make the French Broad Chocolate Lounge's signature Liquid Truffle: Replace 24 oz. whole milk with 10 oz. half & half. Proceed with recipe. This makes a rich, indulgent sipping chocolate. Serve small 4 oz portions, as it's very rich!
• Variation 2—Sprinkle the hot chocolate with equal parts cayenne pepper and cinnamon.
• Variation 3—Add a drop of peppermint essential oil to the hot chocolate as it cooks (or more to taste, but this stuff is strong!)

Yield: 4 servings