Homemade Creamy Hot Chocolate - warm to the bones winter comfort

Chocolate has a magical quality. Whether you're a 3-year-old child or a 70-year-old adult, it always brings out the childlike wonder in you.

Got a headache? Have a piece of chocolate. Feeling down? Eat a piece of chocolate. Stressed out? Still, have a piece of chocolate. Chocolate seems to serve as a panacea for life's little troubles. Though it may not be a cure-all, it offers a rare comfort to both our minds and bodies.

I remember when I was living in Australia, whenever I faced stress from my studies or work, I would always head to a nearby chocolate shop and order a cup of their signature hot chocolate. The hot chocolate there was brewed to perfection, and its rich, smooth flavor was the best I’ve ever tasted! Every time I ordered a cup, I’d sit and unwind for half an hour—it was my most cherished “me time.”

Now, I often reminisce about that feeling. Whenever I have a moment at home, I make my own hot chocolate, especially during the cold winter months. Just preparing it makes me feel warmed from the inside out. Once done, holding a cup in my hands, the warmth seeps through, spreading from my limbs to my heart. It’s the most comforting reward I’ve encountered on chilly days.

For me, hot chocolate isn’t just a winter treat; perhaps because of the emotional bond we share, it’s a source of spiritual nourishment that keeps me moving forward in life. Sometimes, I sincerely make a pot of hot chocolate for myself, then read a book, listen to music, or simply sit and unwind. This time of infinite tranquility, though simple, is a rare and cherished moment that many people yearn for but rarely find in their daily lives.

Ingredients

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Almond Milk	400ml
72% Dark Chocolate	105g
Sugar	20g
Pistachio	10pcs
Cocoa Powder	1 tsp

Steps

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1. 100 grams of dark chocolate broken into pieces; 5 grams of dark chocolate chopped; pistachios chopped.

2. Over medium-low heat, add almond milk and sugar, and cook until it starts to steam heavily, then turn off the heat (do not let it come to a full boil).

3. After turning off the heat, add 100 grams of dark chocolate.

4. Stir until the dark chocolate is completely melted. (Turning off the heat while stirring will not affect the chocolate’s composition and prevent it from becoming acidic. If you’re concerned that the milk might cool down quickly, you can keep the heat on at the lowest setting.)

5. Once the chocolate is completely melted, pour it into a cup.

6. Finally, sprinkle chocolate shavings and crushed pistachios on top, and dust with a little cocoa powder.