This creamy creole hot chocolate is famously known in the French Caribbean, such as Guadeloupe and Martinique. It’s served for the first communion.
Recipe video:
I would always enjoy a nice warm cup of hot chocolate almost every single morning. Hot chocolate was my best friend growing up. Although now I mostly drink teas, I still look forward to enjoying a nice cup of hot coco. In this post, I would like to share this famous Creole-Style hot coco with you guys.
I have been to the beautiful islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique, and I feel in love with their beauty. In addition to have picturesque beaches, the Caribbean is filled with good food and drinks, like this creamy creole hot chocolate recipe that I am in love with.
Usually, I just go for the quick stuff meaning the nesquik and snuggle up under my sheets but nowadays I try to switch things up. I like to enjoy a nice, creamy and rich hot coco and this is exactly that drink. Unlike the quick stuff, this drink checks all of those boxes and it is easy to make.
I learned that this creole hot chocolate is usually served at the first communion and/or during the Christmas season. Although I am not Catholic, I still wanted to make this because it’s cold in Europe and I was craving something hot and sweet. I wanted to snuggle up on my bed, watch a nice movie and sip. And I did that.
I know this may simple and it is but there are some things I need to go over with you guys first. I will share some TIPS & TRICKS with you guys before we die into the recipe.
TIPS & TRICKS
- Chocolate: I wanted to keep this recipe as authentic as I possibly can, but there were some things I adjusted just a little. One of those adjustments was the chocolate. Since I’m living in Europe, certain ingredients are unavailable to me, such as as chocolate balls. I was unable to use them but I got some amazing results with unsweetened cocoa powder, it was just as creamy and rich. I highly suggest unsweetened cocoa powder because this recipe calls for condensed milk which is very sweet. To ensure creaminess, I suggest mixing the cocoa powder and water separately before adding to the warm milk. I just like to add few drops of water to the cocoa powder so it isn’t too runny.
- Milk: I don’t have much to say about this but I have to mention it because it is important. Some recipes use evaporated milk and whole milk, or just whole milk. I prefer to use evaporated milk because it always comes out creamier that way. Now, the tricky part with evaporated milk is that it burns pretty quickly so you have to keep an eye on it. I always warm my milk on a medium-low heat or low heat, to make sure nothing burns or over boils.
- Cooking process: It is simple but important. I thought I could just leave it warm up for a couple of minutes while I go on with my chores but I was wrong. You have to pay close attention to it. I start by warm the milk and spices, then I move on to make the chocolate mixture and I follow up with the rest ingredients. I stir the mixture constantly and let it warm up for at least 5 minutes. Once I smell the aromas, I serve it immediately.
I hope you enjoy the recipe.
Now, let’s get into it.
Traditional Creamy Creole Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 cups Evaporated milk at room temperature
- 1 cup Condensed milk at room temperature
- 1 Lime peel
- 1 Cinnamon stick (or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon)
- 3 tbsp Unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp Warm water
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp Ground nutmeg
Instructions
Warming the milk:
- In a medium sauce pan, warm the milk over low heat.
- Stir in the cinnamon, nutmeg and lime peel.
- Let it warm up for 7-10 minutes. Do not leave it boil over. Be sure to stir it constantly.
Making the chocolate mixture:
- In a small bowl, mix together the water and the cocoa powder.
- It should make a paste, if it is too runny add more cocoa powder and if it's too dry add more water.
- Stir in the mixture to the warm milk, as well as the condensed milk. Let it cook for an additional 7-10 minutes.
- Remove from the heat then take out the lime peel and cinnamon sticks then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Serve it while it's still warm, enjoy!
Other warm beverages you may enjoy:
