March 07, 2008

Vanilla Bean Hot Chocolate

What seems like an eternity ago, someone told me they really liked the Vanilla Bean Hot Chocolate from Second Cup. I said I could make it for them at home despite the fact that I had never tasted it. I proceeded to neither make it nor try it. Then, last week I was killing time before a class and felt like I needed some air so I put on my ipod and started walking without any particular destination in mind. As I passed by a Second Cup I thought of the Vanilla Bean Hot Chocolate. I decided to give it a try. It was kinda good, but as I had previously stated, I thought I could make it at home, cheaper and just as good if not better. It turns out this is one of the rare times I was right. This recipe makes enough to share. I’ll be drinking the rest of mine tomorrow as there is only me.

Vanilla Bean Hot Chocolate

2 ½ cups milk, (the %MF is up to you)
2 ½ T sugar
3 oz bittersweet chocolate, melted, (on this occasion there was some Guittard chocolate in my cupboard so I figured if I was using real vanilla beans I might as well use the fancy chocolate too)
1 vanilla bean, cut in half and seeds scraped
Splash of cream

Heat milk and sugar until it just begins to boil. Remove from the heat, add vanilla bean and seeds, cover and let steep for half an hour. Remove the bean from the pot and reserve for another use, (like making vanilla sugar). Add the chocolate and stir to combine. You might want to heat it up it up a little more if you plan on drinking it immediately. I added a little shaken cream to the top of mine. You can store leftovers in the fridge and drink it later, hot or cold.


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59 comments:

Manggy said...

Here in the Philippines we have our own chocolate that is rough and rustic and generally used for cocoa. I've not tried adding vanilla to it so I think I'll get myself a few beans!

I hope your friend has tried out your version already :)

Susan @ SGCC said...

I sure could use of cup of that now. It is miserable here! Raining cats and dogs with tornado warnings. Vanilla bean hot chocolate would really hit the spot!

Sara said...

I am not a huge hot chocolate fan, but vanilla bean hot chocolate sounds pretty darn excellent.

Anonymous said...

Simple and so delicious! Sounds great! And I love the picture too!

KJ said...

It looks and sounds delicious. That's a gorgeous photo you have there.

Madam Chow said...

It's cold. It's raining. I have two sleepy puppies on my lap, and my toes are cold. I could sure use a cup of that!

breadchick said...

This is exactly what the Dr ordered on this cold, rainy day in CT.

need to go find my Vanilla beans right now!

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

That sounds like it would make a great cold (or iced) drink the summer, too.

RecipeGirl said...

Sounds like the perfect desserty kind of drink. I love vanilla beans... and with hot chocolate- YUM!

Shari said...

Sounds delicious. I love vanilla and chocolate. I bought a hot chocolate mix from a local chocolatier that was spicy and had red chili flakes in it, but I think I prefer the traditional. I'll have give this a try while we're buried under tons of snow!

Jessy and her dog Winnie said...

Mmm I love hot chocolate! I bet vanilla makes it taste even better!

Cookie baker Lynn said...

Sounds way delicious!

Rachel@fairycakeheaven said...

Sounds absolutely delicious! Must make this tonight

Anonymous said...

It's raining and cold outside today, perfect for a cup of hot chocolate. Looks great!!

chriesi said...

Mmm...it is sure delicious. We had a little snow today morning, so it is perfect.

kellypea said...

Mmm, you know -- this will be just perfect when I'm in the mood for drinking my calories instead of chewing them -- especially for dessert. Absolutely lovely looking.

Anonymous said...

I always enjoy readding a good hot chocolate recipe. Using "real vanilla" makes it great!

SteamyKitchen said...

i've got so many vanilla beans and this is perfect to make.

thanks hon!

Anonymous said...

Looks delicious (great picture!) I LOVE homemade hot chocolate with good bittersweet chocolate...I imagine it's pretty fantastic with a vanilla bean scraped in. :)

Asha at beFOODled said...

That looks delicious! Perfect for this blizzardy weather...

Anonymous said...

That sounds like a perfect winter drink.

Anonymous said...

Sounds like something I'll have to make for the Hubbs...not a big chocolate fan myself, but he'd love it, especially since he likes dark chocolate and strong vanilla! :) Thanks for posting!

Cakebrain said...

oh my. that's a great way to ingest my 2 favourite ingredients!

Gattina Cheung said...

we can't go wrong with fancy chocolate, also can't go wrong with your recipe!

Anonymous said...

always a fan of hot chocolate!

Kelly-Jane said...

Sounds lovely.

test it comm said...

Adding vanilla bean seeds to hot chocolate sounds like a great idea! I will have to try it.

Deborah said...

It's recipes like this one that are going to help me get through the rest of the winter!!

Dana said...

We already know that you and I agree that a vanilla bean makes *anything* taste better. It's an indisputable fact. And adding a vanilla bean to hot chocolate sounds like the best idea ever. Yum!

Emily said...

Oh baby! That sounds so good. I need vanilla beans!

Mike of Mike's Table said...

Sounds like just the thing for me. And great presentation in the photo!

jasmine said...

This would be perfect today, especially after shovelling the 15" snow dump from the second storm this week...

j

Alejandra Ramos said...

So delicious! The perfect thing for this freezing cold winter weekend!

LyB said...

I wish I'd seen this recipe on Saturday, I might have enjoyed that what with all the snow we had, again! Well, the snow's not gone yet, there's still time! ;)

Cheryl said...

What a brave girl you are to make something you have never even tasted for somebody. But of course it came out great, cause you got mad skillz.

Rosie said...

I really would love a cup of that right now as the rain & winds beat down this would be so perfect!! Great post :D

Rosie x

Patricia Scarpin said...

This is some very fancy hot chocolate, Bri!! I'd love some right now, and I don't care it's 30ºC here. :)

Helene said...

Now, that's sheer decadence!!

skoraq cooks said...

Sweet dreams, chocolate dreams!!!

Katie Zeller said...

Real dark chocolate and real vanilla? Yum!
I would definitely 'bother' to make this.

Annie said...

Sounds like true bliss.
I am going to have to break down and buy one of those beans soon.

Megan said...

Now that's some killer hot chocolate!
I put your name in the hat! Thanks for entering my contest.
Good luck!

Big Boys Oven said...

I will definitely have it before going to bed, but having vanilla, I will be dreaming of heaven! lol!

Alice Q. Foodie said...

That looks great Brilynn! There's a cafe here that makes a really good vanilla bean white chocolate with orange - this kind of reminds me of that. Also really like your new format!

Stef said...

Sounds delish! Also sounds like something else I could easily make with vanilla bean paste if I didn't have any beans around.

thecoffeesnob said...

This sounds heavenly! Mmm..

eatme_delicious said...

Mmm yum I want some please. I have yet to try making real hot chocolate at home.

Anamika:The Sugarcrafter said...

Dear Brilynn
In one phrase ' simply loved it'
Thanks for posting. The pictures look stunning and tempting !

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

I very rarely drink Hot Chocolates, but yours would give me pleasure as it looks delicious and it's homemade!

Cheers,

Rosa

Maggie said...

You are too modest Brilynn!
I wouldn't mind a cup now.

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

You are probably right Brilynn, this is way better than theirs...I do like theirs though:D

Elle said...

I can almost tast this with that fantastic vanilla bean flavor and the bittersweet chocolate...yum. I suspect that you don't give yourself enough credit...I always find you inventive and inspiring.

Anonymous said...

yummers. that's usually how i make hot chocolate at home, minus the vanilla. i do have some beans lying around though, so i'll have to try it this way while we're still having cocoa-worthy weather.

Susan from Food Blogga said...

Just "kinda good"? It looks super good from where I'm sitting.

Kajal@aapplemint said...

oh this is so comforting. Vanilla beans are so expensive and almost impossible to find here. Wish i could et my hands on some . The bottled stuff just is'nt the same.

Katy said...

oh goodness. i can never get enough vanilla, but using extract sometimes makes things too alcohol-y -- i really need to switch over to vanilla beans. your cocoa looks just amazingly wonderful.

Cakespy said...

Sweet, sweet fancy! Sounds wonderful on this grey, cold, non-springy Seattle day!

PheMom said...

My favorite drink with all my favorite things. Yum!

Clyde said...

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