Thursday, March 25, 2010

Frozen Hot Chocolate-what in the heck?

I thought I was the only person left in the human race that didn't know what Frozen Hot Chocolate from Serendipity was. Judging from yesterday's comments, there were at least a couple of others with me in my Uninformed Citizens of America Club. (Want to join-all you have to do is stay home with the TV off for a couple of years.) So what is Frozen Hot Chocolate? And more importantly, can something be hot and frozen at the same time, or is it just a clever oxymoron? (No and yes, respectively.) And where do you get it? (You make it-right after you read my post.) Frozen Hot chocolate is a smooth and creamy frozen version of the hot holiday drink. It is icy cold, but the flavor is unmistakably that of hot chocolate, thanks to the addition of instant hot chocolate mix. Apparently it originated (or at least become famous) at a NYC restaurant with the irresistible name of Serendipity. The place is so adorable, kitschy and cozy, crowded with Tiffany lamps, wonky tables, and latticework. The line winds outside the door and into the streets. Everything is oversized-except for the space, and it makes you feel a bit like a diminutive Alice in Wonderland. The food was good, but good food abounds in NYC. People come for the Frozen Hot Chocolate, which was precisely why we were there. It comes in a giant goblet, with mounds of whipped cream and chocolate shavings, flanked by four straws. It's more along the lines of a dessert than a drink, and I made the fortunate mistake of ordering it before my meal. Skip the meal if you must, but you've got to have the chocolate. As soon as I came home, I scoured the Internet for copy cat recipes-which turned out to be poor imitations. I fiddled and fretted and came up with a version that we all dubbed delicious. I can't taste test them side by side, since they don't have a Serendipity in my tiny Utah town, but to the best of my recollection, this is it. And if you make it at home, it'll save you not just the $13 bucks for the drink, but also the plane ticket to NYC. Don't let that stop you from going-but make some this weekend, too. Of course you'll have to give up your membership in the Uninformed Citizens of America Club, but it's a small price to pay.
Frozen Hot Chocolate
Estimated Cost for four servings: $3.00
Notes: I'm sure that you'll get the best results with high quality chocolate, but all I had was chocolate chips and they were delicious, too. I used Nestle hot chocolate mix, but any kind would work.
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 packet instant hot chocolate mix (2 tbsps. loose mix)
2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup cream
1 and 1/3 cup milk
3 cups ice cubes
For Whipped Cream:
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
In a small saucepan, melt chocolate over very low heat. Whisk in hot chocolate mix, sugar, and cream until smooth. Whisk in milk and transfer mixture to blender. Add ice and process until smooth. Meawhile, beat whipping cream until fluffy; stir in sugar and vanilla. Serve frozen hot chocolate with whipped cream, and if you're cleverer than I, you can add some chocolate shavings, too.
Be back soon with Easter Dinner Ideas
(Don't order an expensive ready to eat ham, though-we're going to make our own.)

43 comments:

AmericanTribal said...

Oh wow, this sounds so delicious! I am going to try it this weekend.

I <3 NY... but unfortunately I can't go there for hot chocolate right now. Hopefully my kitchen will do the trick :P

www.americantribal.blogspot.com

Nancy said...

There is a Serendipity on the Vegas strip, which is a little closer to us western state residers, but even still I'm excited to try your yummy recipe. Thanks for sharing.

Catherine said...

My family has been sick for the last couple of days, but now I know just what to make to celebrate when everyone is feeling better. Thanks Prudy.

The JR said...

$13 bucks for one! Wow, that seems expensive to me!

Seth and Julie said...

I am so excited! I have wanted to try this FOREVER. I am going to a breakfast for dinner party tonight. I think I should bring the fixings along and whip these up for dessert. But first I must go try it for myself...RIGHT. THIS.MINUTE! Thanks!

Adrienne said...

Once I had a friend give me a jar of French Hot Chocolate for Christmas. It was just chocolate mousse, but you put a spoonful of it in a mug of hot milk, and it turned into creamy delicately flavored hot chocolate. Honestly, I just ate the jarful of mousse! (small jar)It made a cute gift. This recipe sounds like my kind of summer treat.

Adrienne said...

AND

I am excited for the ham. I've been waiting a whole year for this one.

Jessica @ Barefoot by the Sea said...

WOW, that's about all I can say!

Unknown said...

have you tried the frozen hot chocolate from our local 'Perks' I do wonder how it compares???

Prudy said...

Mindy:
I've never been to Perks. I didn't know they had frozen hot chocolate on the menu, but now that I know you can bet I'll get there post haste.

Prudy said...

Nancy:
I heard there was a serendipity in Vegas. I've got to try it!

Courtney said...

Did I miss something? I recently sat down after a long day and opened up my April issue of BHG to find a happy little surprise.....a winning recipe from someone very familiar to me. Congratulations! I must have missed the post where you informed us of this. I can't wait to try the recipe.

Prudy said...

Courtney,
Thanks for noticing! I didn't mention it. I was waiting till I could find a good link on BHG. And then I got sidetracked. It really is yummy, so do try it!

Maria said...

Fun! What a great treat too!

Alyssa Griffeth said...

I have a copy-cat frozen hot chocolate recipe that we've been making for a few years, but since I've never actually been to Serendipity, I had nothing to compare it to. I was SO glad you posted this recipe...It's our new favorite treat (and has graced our table the last TWO nights!). It's SO rich and chocolatey...Yum!

Also, I just happened upon your winning recipe in BHG too! Looks like a perfect summer dish. I can't wait to try it.

Chef Aimee said...

I love Serendipity frozen hot chocolate! The first time I had it must have been 15 years ago...its one of the best experiences to have at a restaurant in NYC!

Brenda said...

Did you know you can buy a powdered mix from Serendipity on Amazon? It was part of a Christmas gift for my family and my son, who lives in NYC says its very close to the real thing.

Rich'n'Rach said...

Oh boy, my hubby is demanding that I make this immediately haha! Thanks for your work in perfecting the copy-cat recipe...you're our hero!

Prudy said...

Brenda:
I've heard of the mix, but I read mixed reviews. If I ever see it, I'm going to snatch it up!

Jeannette said...

Hi Prudy - I also love frozen hot chocolate. I've had the one in NY and the packet mix. They tasted pretty much the same to me. Yum! Williams Sonoma also carried it during the summer months at one point in time.

Anonymous said...

We went to Vegas about a month ago and had this at Serendipity's there. We also tried the peanut butter version. We loved your recipe and also loved it with 3 T smooth pb added. We did add about 1/4 c more cream than your recipe called for. Thanks!

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