Courtesy of http://familyfun.go.com

Looking for something a little bit different to serve at your next holiday party?  Why not try mug cakes! (Recipe compliments of Family Fun Magazine.)

These simple individualized desserts look just like a mug of hot chocolate, but bonus, won’t be ruined if turned cold.

All you need is a standard box of cupcake mix (preferably chocolate, of course), a canister of cooking spray and some marshmallow creme.

The Steps:

1. Use oven safe mugs, available at any kitchen supply store. Ideally you want to use glass mugs so that you can see the cake in all its glory once baked. Spray the inside of the mugs with cooking spray.

2. Fill the mugs approximately halfway with the chocolate batter.
3. Pay attention to the baking instructions on the cupcake package.  When the cakes are cooked, leave to cool for 10 to 15 minutes.
4. Next, put a generous (key word ‘generous’) dollop of marshmallow creme on top of each cake and serve with a fork or spoon.

Courtesy of Ssimpson13

(NOTE:  Depending on the type of cupcake batter being used, it is possible to whip up a batch of mug cakes in the microwave too!)

Any kind of cupcake mix will work for this fun and quirky dessert.  Feel free to use angel-food cake, vanilla, or even layer different kinds  of cakes within the mug if you’re feeling ambitious.  If marshmallow from a jar isn’t really your thing, go ahead and decorate with icing and sprinkles, ice-cream, or better yet, whipped cream!

Whatever you do, mug cakes are quick to make, handy and a little something different to offer guests this season.  The saying “easy as pie” should really be “easy as a mug cake.”

Courtesy of pausestill

We all know what hot chocolate is – essentially, chocolate in a cup (otherwise known as pure genius!)

Believed to have originated nearly 2000 years ago with the ancient Mayans, hot chocolate has since been introduced to Europe and North America, and popularized all over the globe.

Delicious frothy and soothing hot cocoa is mostly drank for pleasure. It tantalizes the taste buds. It comforts and warms. It treats and delights. It is all around wonderful just the way it is except…there are so many often unexplored possibilities lingering in a single cup of hot chocolate that it sinks the heart of a true chocolate connoisseur.

Don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned hot chocolate mix, and often it’s easiest to pour from a package and stir.  But you need not bundle up and venture down the street to a fancy coffee shop in order to procure a mug of delectable exotic chocolaty goodness.  All you need are the right ingredients and a sense of adventure.

AZTEC CHILI HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE

This sweet and spicy recipe needs only a handful of ingredients.  (The following measurements are made to serve 2.)

Courtesy of HungryHuy.com

• 1 2/3 cups of milk of choice — 2%, skim, soy, whatever you like
• 1 red chili pepper, split down the middle with the seeds removed
• 1/2 vanilla bean powder
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 1/2 oz chocolate — bittersweet works best, but feel free to add more than the designated amount, 1 1/2 oz isn’t a rule or anything

How to Make:

• gently simmer the milk in a saucepan along with the vanilla bean powder, chili pepper and cinnamon stick
• allow to warm at a moderate heat for a few minutes, making sure to stir frequently
• in the meantime, grate the chocolate, then add to milk mixture
• continue simmering until melted
• remove from heat and leave to sit for approximately 10 minutes (this allows the flavours to better steep together, creating a richer mixture)
• finally, strain out the spices and serve

Coutesy of pjf@cpan

If you want to put an extra special twist on chili hot chocolate, decorate with with chocolate and red drizzles, and who could forget the classic signature left only by a handful of marshmallows.

Then sit, relax, savour and allow yourself to travel back in time to the dawn of a mouth-watering dessert beverage.

We featured Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier in our Chocolate Manufacturers – Guide for Chocoholics.

About the Company:

Gail Ambrosius founded her chocolate business in 2004, based on a deep love of dark chocolate and all of its richly complex and flavorful possibilities. She holds monthly tastings in her shop and encourages you to drop by and learn more about the distinct flavors of single-origin chocolate.

photo courtesy of Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier

Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier specializes in creating deliciously exotic dark chocolates in her Madison, Wisc., shop daily for legions of loyal fans in the area and around the country. Much like coffee, fine chocolate takes on the characteristics of the regions where the cacao beans are grown. Gail uses single-origin chocolate for most of her truffles, meaning that the unique flavors of a particular region’s cacao are melded with the finest spices, fruits, teas, nuts and other natural ingredients for the ultimate chocolate experience.

Gail and her staff are constantly tasting, adjusting and concocting new signature truffles and treats, bringing in fresh seasonal flavors to their handmade chocolates. At the same time, Gail is involved in every step of the process from ensuring the cacao farmers receive fair payment to powering her shop with solar and wind power.

About the products:

Looking for a small, simply divine pleasure for a gift, a special occasion or to savor in a rare moment of pampering? Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier has a constantly changing assortment of flavor options that fits the bill. Below are just a few of the possibilities:

Gail Ambrosius Chocolate. photo courtesy of Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier

Boxed chocolates: Truffles are available in beautifully designed boxes in a variety of flavor assortments and sizes. Flavor assortments include: Travel, Teas and Liqueurs. You can also select your own flavor combinations from our wide variety.

Price per box: $4.25 for two-piece; $11.00 for six-piece; $21.50 for 12-piece; and $40 for 24-piece box.

Twelve on the twelfth: You can order their box of twelve chocolates to arrive on the 12th of each month (or as near as possible). This makes a great gift anytime or as a convenient way to keep yourself in chocolate each month. You can select the flavor and length of time you want them to deliver.

Price: $64.50 plus shipping for three months, billed in monthly installments.

Hot chocolate: Warm your senses with this small batch, shaved 65 percent dark Columbian chocolate. Melt into warmed milk or enjoy European style in hot water. Thick and decadent. One bag makes 25 eight-ounce servings.

Price: $15.00

Chocolate sauce: A chocolate sauce for grown-up tastes. Dark and thick, it’s perfect on fruit, ice cream or just treat yourself to a spoonful. Made with Rainforest Certified Ecuadorian chocolate.

Price: $9.00

Shipping: Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier chocolates are made by hand in small batches to provide the freshest chocolate experience. Chocolates should be eaten within two weeks of purchase or refrigerated.

Location:

Chocolates can be purchased at their retail store at 2086 Atwood Avenue, Madison, Wisc., or purchased online at www.gailambrosius.com.