First, I want to wish my cute little tall niece a very Happy Birthday. In my eyes, she will always be that adorably chubby 3 year old kid with a passion for singing, coloring, and very loud emotional outbursts. Oh man - I can't ever forget those moments! So Jasmin, here is to wishing you a very happy birthday and I hope you had an awesome day. Love, HB!
Today I had the most wonderful day, perhaps my niece's birthday brought me good luck. Who knows? I woke up bright and early and headed over to NYC for a meeting and I was really pleased with the way things turned out. I'll be sharing my news... soon, very soon!
It was such a gorgeous day around Columbus Circle.
I really love this district because of the circle, obviously, the shopping, WHOLE FOODS, Borders bookstore, and the variety of cute cafes and restaurants that surround the area.
For lunch I ate at Whole Foods ALL BY MYSELF in public. Not that long ago I found this to be mortifying, however I guess the older and wiser I got, I realized it really isn't that big of a deal. I like people watching anyway... it helps you know what's in fashion.
So anyway, my husband left work early today and spent the remainder of the day with me. Around 4 pm I decided to make us some Hot Chocolate, a low calorie drink that I found on Delish.
While making this drink I swapped the sugar for Nutella which resulted in a rich Hot Chocolate, in addition, I added some vanilla extract. Cornstarch is the secret ingredient which helps to thicken up this rich tasting hot chocolate. My husband and I shared a cup since this drink was rather filling. Enjoy!
NUTRITION: Milk adds calcium and protein to this drink. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder is known to have antioxidant benefits. Nutella is surprisingly made of Skim Milk, however it does contain a decent amount of fat, and it is hazelnut chocolate after all.
INGREDIENTS (makes 2 servings):
- Milk 1% Low Fat - ¾ cup (recipe calls for Skim Non-Fat Milk which would also work)
- Ghirardelli Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - 2 tablespoon + ⅔ tsp
- Vanilla Extract - ½ tsp
- Cornstarch - ½ tsp
- Nutella - 1 tbsp
- Sugar - optional, but I don't think you need it
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a small pot, heat low fat milk on medium heat.
WORK QUICKLY
2. Add cocoa powder. Whisk.
3. Add cornstarch. Whisk immediately making sure the cornstarch doesn't turn into goo. I didn't realize I had to do this immediately.
4. Add vanilla extract. Whisk.
5. Add Nutella.
6. Keep whisking until the cocoa thickens up and the drink is smooth and creamy. Once the drinks starts to steam turn off the stove.
7. Pour into a cute cup.
briarrose says
Oh my...I need a cup of that. I adore hot chocolate and with Nutella thrown in...perfection!
I don't like to eat alone in public...but I usually just read and tune the world out.
Christina says
That is so creamy and chocolately. I love how thick it looks! Ahh sooo good that must have been.
I used to hate eating alone in public too, but I usually have a book or I'll people watch.
Jasmin(: says
thank you so much, i love you <333 this looks awesome, it's so me!
honeywhatscooking says
Thanks guys! Christina, it was good. Try it. 🙂
@Jasmin - me too. <3 doesn't work on Blogger. 🙂
gluttonandstudent says
You had me at "nutella". This looks SO good - almost like pudding!
Malieka says
i eat alone in public and a lot!!!!! i don't fell embarrassed........... insted i feel pretty popular as most of the people will be looking at mee and i like that!!!!!
honeywhatscooking says
@Malieka - go you! 🙂 I'm a novice.
Anonymous says
This was amazing!!! I tried it right after i read it!!!
honeywhatscooking says
@Anonymous - thanks.. I love it too.
Alyssa Styles says
Thanks for the great idea!! I'm so in the mood to whip up a nice warm batch of hot cocoa.... YUMMY
Anonymous says
i just made this and it turned out very bitter and even after adding pounds if sugar it still remained bitter
honeywhatscooking says
@Alyssa - thanks again. Love this recipe.
@Anonymous - Sorry about that. My only thoughts are either the milk burned a little, or the cornstarch? I'm not really sure what went wrong.
Anonymous says
To prevent the cocoa and cornstarch from clumping combine with 1/4/ cup of the cold milk and whisk till smooth, then add to the heated milk and whisk till smooth and somewhat thickened.Then add vanilla and nutella and whisk till smooth.
honeywhatscooking says
@Anonymous - thanks for the tip, I'll need to rework this recipe to prevent that from happening. 🙂
Mya W. says
I'm definitely doing this once i get enough money. Thanks, my family will LOVE this...well, they better love this haha, thanks!
honeywhatscooking says
@Mya - where do you live? They don't sell Nutella in a local grocery store?