~ Decidedly Decadent Frozen-Hot-Chocolate Pops ~

In just a few days our grandson will be coming for a visit.  Needless to say, JoePa and GrandMel are quite excited.  Everytime DJ comes to visit we try to think up fun things for him to do with the both of us, singularly and together.  For example:  JoePa bought him a microscope and we'll spend a couple hours viewing things like, strands of hair, onion skin, and CHEEZ-IT crumbs (DJ loves his Cheese-y Crackers).  Later in the day, David will try again to teach GrandMel how to play Angry Birds on his Kindle, after proclaiming, "you're not very good at this" the last time.

We adjust to his food phases/trends too.  For a while David was into helping to make his own pita pizza in GrandMel's kitchen, then came dinosaur chicken, then came alphabet soup. As for sweets, there were juice bars, chocolate cupcakes and ice cream sandwiches.  When he comes to visit this weekend, GrandMel is going to pull a new treat out of her peanut-free bag of tricks (yes David is allergic to peanuts):  Fudge Pops.

I ordered these nifty Popsicle molds on Amazon.  I like them because the molds each get individually placed in a nifty stand, which means I can take the fudge pops out one-at-a-time (whenever DJ wants one).

Over the Christmas holidays, I made hot chocolate.  The "real deal", made with chocolate and cream and not from dried powder or a mix. Doesn't it look delish?  

Did you know that this type of hot chocolate, when frozen, makes great fudge pops?  Well, it does and they are wonderful:  rich, chocolatey, fudgey, and, even a bit chewy.  Lots better than the store-bought ones. Note:  It's best to make the hot chocolate a day or two ahead and chill it in the refrigerator.

~ Step 1:  In a 4-quart saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, bring:

3  cups heavy or whipping cream

1  cup milk

to steaming hot and beginning to bubble around the edges of the pot.

 

 

~ Step 2.  Vigorously whisk in:

2  tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1  tablespoon sugar

1/4  teaspoon salt

1  teaspoon pure vanilla extract

until frothy and uniform in color.

 

 

~ Step 3.  Turn the heat off and add/stir in:

12  ounces semi-sweet chocolate morsels

6  ounces milk chocolate morsels

2  tablespoons cinnamon morsels

and, allow to sit for 20-30 seconds. Whisk until shiny and smooth.  You now have 6 cups of hot chocolate.

~ Step 4.  Using a funnel with a wide opening at the bottom (similar to a canning funnel) ladle the chilled chocolate mixture into the molds, filling each one to just short of the brim.

My molds each hold 4 ounces, or, 1/2 cup, which will yield 12 fudge pops.  How nice is that.

~ Step 5.  Slowly lower each lid with the stick inserted into it, into each filled mold, or, place the lids on and insert the sticks.  Either way works. Note:  If your molds do not have lids with a hole for a stick to be inserted, freeze your pops for about 30 minutes, insert the sticks, and continue the freezing process, several hours to overnight.

~ Step 6.  To unmold, just run a little room temperature or slightly warm water around the outside of the mold.  Five to ten seconds will easily do it.  Enjoy!

Decidedly-Decadent Frozen-Hot-Chocolate Pops:  Recipe yields 6 cups chocolate mixture and 12 fudge pops.

Special Equipment List:  4-quart saucepan w/lid; large spoon; whisk; popsicle molds; funnel; ladle; popsicle sticks

Cook's Note:  Our "little guy", is quickly turning in to "big guy" -- and a super handsome one at that.  It won't be long, if he's anything like his GrandMel, he'll cookin' up his own dreams and making them come true.  If his height is an indicator, I predict he'll be great at shooting hoops too. Being a grandparent really is so much easier, and much more fun than it is being a parent.

"We are all in this food world together." ~ Melanie Preschutti

(Recipe, Commentary and Photos courtesy of Melanie's Kitchen/Copyright 2012)

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~ Chocolate Ganache: What It is & How to Make It! ~

~ Let's Talk Chocolate: All about Baker's Chocolate ~

~ Loco for Cocoa: Spicy Chocolate Cherry Cookies ~

~ Chocolate, Vanilla and Butterscotch 'Icebox' Cake~

~May Your Christmas Day be Merry, Bright & White!~

Comments

[Kitchen Encounters]

Thanks Teresa! It's hard for me to say which I like better, the hot chocolate or the fudge pops. David's vote would be for the fudge pops -- he looks forward to them whenever he visits!

[Teresa Gottier]

Using the hot chocolate is very clever Mel, and David is a doll baby!

[Kitchen Encounters]

Maria/Maja! A match made in heaven!!!

[majaskitchen]

Mel...............he is soooooooooooooo cute....and sweet....I would love for our little 4 year granddaughter to meet him...........
The pops look fantastic and decadent.........!