Red Velvet Hot Chocolate.

With winter here, the cold weather, and the holidays in the air, hot chocolate is the perfect comfort drink for the season. I was craving a rich cup of hot chocolate last night so I decided to make one and add a little fun spin to it...by making it a red velvet hot chocolate!

So red velvet cake is basically a cake flavored with cocoa powder for a chocolate-y taste and vinegar to make the cake rich and fluffy. Red food coloring started being added to this cake batter years after its creation to enhance the red color. I basically added these same concepts (minus the vinegar) to typical hot chocolate ingredients. It turns out so rich and, well...velvety! You'll definitely want to share these with friends and family. 

These are the ingredients I used...

I started by simmering skim 1% milk in a pot. Most people use whole milk, which makes the drink creamier, but I personally can't take the taste of all the fat in whole milk. 

After simmering the milk, I added cocoa powder and semisweet chocolate until the chocolate melted and the cocoa was incorporated. To the mixture, I added vanilla and some red food coloring to enhance the chocolate flavors and intensify the red color. And voila! 

I topped it all off with mini marshmallows which nicely melt into the hot chocolate. I'm dreaming of this hot chocolate as I type this, it was that good! (Recipe at end of post) 

I enjoyed my yummy red velvet hot chocolate by the fireplace surrounded by Christmas decor. 

Ingredients: 

2 cups milk of your choice 

2 tablespoons cocoa powder 

1/2 cup of semi sweet chocolate (chopped or chocolate chips) 

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1 teaspoon red food coloring 

Directions: 

1. Put the milk into a pot and heat on medium until it simmers. 

2. Once the milk has simmered, add the cocoa powder and semi sweet chocolate and whisk until melted and incorporated into the milk. 

3. Add the vanilla and food coloring. Whisk until incorporated. 

4. Ladle the hot chocolate into a mug and too with marshmallows. 

Fancy Ass Hot Chocolate.

Isn't it supposed to be getting warmer here in LA? I'm spoiled with the weather here, so I'm still trying to cope with it. One of the ways I do this is through comfort foods and drinks...and what's more comforting in this cold than hot chocolate?! The powdered stuff is okay, but nothing comes close to the way I make my "fancy ass" hot chocolate. I use milk and diced dark chocolate to make this magic happen.

Ingredients. 

So yummy!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of milk (I use skim milk, but whole milk makes it more decadent)
• 1 stick of cinnamon 
• 1 tablespoon of white granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 3 ounces chopped dark chocolate
• 1 pinch of Ancho chile powder (optional)
• 1 pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Heat the cinnamon stick in the milk  mixed with sugar and vanilla in a medium saucepan under low heat.
2. Heat until the milk mixture gently simmers then take off the heat. Let it steep for 10-15 minutes.
3. Remove the cinnamon stick and discard. 
4. Chop the dark chocolate into small pieces and place in a microwave safe bowl. Heat the chocolate in the microwave 30 seconds at a time, mix after every 30 seconds until it is completely melted.
5. Place the steeped milk over medium low heat and add the melted chocolate to it. Whisk until completely incorporated and mixture is hot. 
6. Add a pinch of salt and Ancho chile powder.
7. Divide between mugs and top with marshmallows.

Makes 2 cups of hot chocolate. 

Voila!

Cape.Cape.Cape.Cape.

Ooh baby I like it! Capes are on my current winter trend radar. They're out of the ordinary...not quite a peacoat, not quite a trench coat, not quite a cardigan. They can be paired so well boots, thigh high socks, and printed tights or leggings. I can't wait to rock this look this season...

1. H&M Cape $59.95
2. Asymmetrical Hooded Button Cape $24.95 (letsjourneyintofashion.com)
3. Cashmere Cape with Faux Fur $209.99 (ultimatefashionfix.com)