Hot Chocolate- Bittersweet!
I’ve been on a hot chocolate kick lately. I can’t seem to go a day without making myself a cup. I’ve been using a mixture of nonfat milk and coconut milk (it adds a silky layer of sweet flavor) along with a heaping tablespoon of Bellagio Sipping Chocolate- an Italian recipe made with bittersweet cocoa powder (Kitchen Kapers $9.99)
On my recent shopping trip to Whole Foods, I noticed a new product: Natural By Nature Brown Sugar Whipped Cream ($3.99). While I usually get their regular light whipped cream made with pure cane sugar, I thought it would be interesting to give the brown a try and see if I notice a difference. This particular can contains the cane sugar, but adds in natural brown sugar flavoring.
The first thing I noticed is how much lighter it is, almost a bubble-like soap consistency. It’s not as smooth or as thick looking as their regular product. On taste, it does have a richer more caramelized taste, and although it seems to melt off your tongue extremely quickly, the caramel and toffee flavors linger long after it’s gone.
With a circular motion of my wrist I created a twirl of fluffy whipped topping for my hot cocoa, sprinkled a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg on top, and indulged. The whipped brown sugar melted extremely quickly, so this cup of warm chocolate goodness went down rather fast. Almost too fast, making me think that next time I’ll stick with Natural By Nature’s simpler recipe. The chocolate flavor is so strong, that you can’t even taste the brown sugar essence. On pie, it might be better, but I don’t need it on this drink.
All Topped off
I like the cream garnish for it’s texture and the fun of sipping it slowly as it begins to sink and shrink in my cup, mixing in with the chocolate. The original flavor works better for leisurely drinking my winter warmer and enjoying it sip by sip. Although, one of these days I’ll have to make my own, when I have the time. Nothing is better than fresh whipped cream- you can’t top that!
Filed under: Sips Tagged: | Bellagio Chocolate, Hot Chocolate, Natural By Nature, Whipped Cream
