Blended frozen hot chocolate recipe

What is frozen hot chocolate?

Simply put, frozen hot chocolate is a blended beverage with the same flavors as traditional hot cocoa. This recipe differs from a standard chocolate milkshake by excluding chocolate ice cream from the ingredients list.

While milkshakes are thick and creamy, frozen hot chocolate has a frosty, slush-like texture that’s perfect for a hot summer day—or a wintery sweet treat.

How to make blended frozen hot chocolate

You can enjoy the cozy and comforting flavors of hot chocolate any time of year when you make frozen hot chocolate with your KitchenAid^® blender. Read on to learn the basics of making frozen hot cocoa so you can start experimenting with different ingredients, flavors and toppings to perfect your favorite version of this delicious recipe.

Yields

• 4 servings

Tools

• Ice crushing blender, like the KitchenAid^® K150 3 Speed Ice Crushing Blender

• Bowl

• Mixing spoon

Prep time

• 2 minutes

Total time

• 5 minutes

Ingredients

• Milk (or a variation, such as chocolate, oat or almond milk)

• Cocoa powder

• Confectioner’s sugar

• Powdered milk

• Salt

• Ice

• Toppings, such as whipped cream, chocolate shavings or crushed peppermints

Step 1: Make the hot chocolate mix

Add one part cocoa powder, one and a half parts confectioner’s sugar, one part powdered milk and salt into a bowl, then stir with a spoon until thoroughly mixed. This creates your own, homemade cocoa mix.

Step 2: Add ingredients to your blender

Place the milk in the blender. Add in your homemade hot cocoa mix and top with ice, then tightly secure the blender lid.

Step 3: Blend and serve

To prevent over blending, start blending your ingredients with a few quick pulses to break down the ice. Gradually increase the speed to high and blend until the ice has been crushed and has a slushy consistency.

Pour the frozen hot cocoa into glasses and top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, marshmallows or crushed peppermint.

How do I make frozen hot chocolate without a blender?

Even if you don’t have a blender, you can still enjoy this delicious frosty treat. First, dissolve a pre-packaged or homemade hot cocoa mix in heated milk, then place it in the freezer in a freezer-safe bag. Refer to the hot cocoa mix recipe above for a homemade variation.

Once frozen, remove the bag and gently mash the frozen mixture with a rolling pin until you achieve a slushy consistency. Add the frozen hot chocolate to a glass and top with your favorite sweet toppings.

Tips for making the perfect frozen hot chocolate

Use the following tips to elevate your frozen hot cocoa recipe even further.

• To add more rich, chocolatey flavor to your drink, swap regular milk for chocolate milk.

• Make this recipe vegan by using a milk alternative such as oat or soy milk and powdered rice instead of powdered milk.

• Give your frozen hot chocolate an artisanal touch by topping it with homemade whipped cream or homemade marshmallows.

How do I store leftover frozen hot chocolate?

Whether you want to make a batch of frozen hot chocolate to prepare for an upcoming party or simply store leftover frozen hot cocoa, you can pour the slushy chocolate mixture into an ice cube tray. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply add the cubes to your blender and blend until smooth.

What to serve with frozen hot chocolate

Although this treat is rich enough to enjoy on its own, the right pairing can enhance the flavor of your frozen hot chocolate. Contrast the sweet flavors with a savory meal such as sirloin chorizo burgers and salty grilled steak fries, or lean into the sweetness with additional dessert options such as peppermint truffles or cinnamon horchata cookies.