Even with unseasonably warm weather this January, it’s still a struggle to stay warm and cozy. A mug of hot tea or coffee does wonders, but for an extra special treat, nothing takes the chill off quite like a sip of rich, creamy hot chocolate. Thick enough to qualify as a dessert, my rendition gets an extra boost from bright gingerbread spices, plus the deep, earthy sweetness of molasses.
Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
3 Cups Unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk
1/4 Cup Molasses
1 1/4 Teaspoons Ground Ginger
1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
1/4 Teaspoon Ground Nutmeg
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
6 Ounces (1 Cup) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
In a medium saucepan over low heat, thoroughly whisk everything together except the vanilla. Continue to whisk gently until the chocolate melts smoothly and the mixture is hot. Mix in the vanilla after taking the saucepan off the heat. Serve and enjoy with someone you love.
Makes 4 – 6 Servings
January 10, 2013 at 10:29 am
Love the gingerbread flavor kick for this hot chocolate. Perfect for a cold winter evening.
January 10, 2013 at 10:47 am
Mmm, craving this right now!
January 10, 2013 at 12:23 pm
WOW! This sounds FANtastic!
January 10, 2013 at 12:39 pm
I could go to town on this! I love molasses, so much!
January 10, 2013 at 12:41 pm
I have been making gingerbread flavored everything this month. I accidentally opened two bottles of molasses this winter, and I am trying to get through them before they get inevitably lost in the back of the fridge.
January 10, 2013 at 1:32 pm
Thank goodness it is raining here today and that should put out the remaining fires that have been marching across most of Tasmania. Although it has been incredibly hot here (on the mainland, they even had to add 2 new colours to the weather map to allow them to go above 50C which is what one inland town had to swelter through!) today it is cooler and raining and to celebrate the slowing down of that heatwave I think I might just make myself a luxurious cup of this gorgeous looking/sounding (and no doubt tasting) hot chocolate :)
January 13, 2013 at 9:31 pm
Oh, my dear, I hope you’re okay! I’ve been reading the news and worrying about you. I can’t imagine the devastation those fires are causing, and so close to home for you…
January 10, 2013 at 1:36 pm
I’ve never thought of adding molasses to hot cocoa! I love the idea.
January 10, 2013 at 1:40 pm
That gingerbread flavour is so unique – this is a delish idea :)
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
January 10, 2013 at 1:46 pm
This looks so great!
January 10, 2013 at 2:38 pm
Yum- plus we get a boost of iron with the molasses so it’s a really healthy drink, right? :) I refuse to admit that Christmas cookie & hot cocoa season is over. I love a hot cocoa! It’s one of my favorite desserts in the winter.
January 10, 2013 at 3:29 pm
I have tried so many times to make a hot chocolate with spices, but I could never quite get the right amounts of spices to use. So glad you did it for me. Now I don’t have to have the same old boring hot chocolate!
January 10, 2013 at 3:39 pm
we just had a dusting of snow today and there might be more tomorrow! so this is totally perfect! december was warm in the PNW. hope we see some snow vacation in Jan:)
January 10, 2013 at 6:11 pm
This sounds incredibly warm and comforting. I’ve been wanting to make hot chocolate for over a month now and just haven’t gotten around to it, this has given me some serious motivation!
January 10, 2013 at 7:10 pm
whoa! molasses in hot cocoa? sweet genius. can’t wait to whip some up tonight!
January 13, 2013 at 2:32 pm
had to return to tell you how amazing this was & warmed my belly after a rainy winter walk. {also i may have sipped away half the pot myself! ahem.}
January 13, 2013 at 6:12 pm
This absolutely makes my day! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. :)
January 10, 2013 at 7:10 pm
Molasses and ginger in a hot chocolate sounds just about perfect! It looks super warming and delicious. :)
January 10, 2013 at 7:28 pm
This familiar beverage looks fabulous and warming!
January 10, 2013 at 8:22 pm
I hoped a select few would recognize it! I only sent out 15 cards this year though, so it seemed a shame to keep that recipe from a wider audience.
January 10, 2013 at 8:07 pm
This looks so yummy and warming. I love molasses and gingerbread is one of my all time favorite flavors for anything! I could definitely use a mug of this after a cold winter run!
January 10, 2013 at 9:36 pm
This is such a fun twist on hot chocolate!! Way more exciting than the tried and true mint versions i’ve seen around.
January 10, 2013 at 11:14 pm
Hi :) So glad to have stumbled across your blog, looking forward to viewing your future posts!
In the meantime id love it if you checked out my veggie (hopefully turning vegan) blog, I include lazy but healthy vegan recipes :)
Addicted
January 10, 2013 at 11:57 pm
This looks good, but now that I took the next step in changing my life as I went to Weight Watches I need to know what is the nutritional value on these wonderful drinks.
January 11, 2013 at 12:42 am
A very timely post, it’s been quite chilly here lately. Love the gingerbread spices! :-)
January 11, 2013 at 1:06 am
Gingerbread is one of my most favorite holiday flavors that I have not been able to indulge yet! This sounds easy but also perfect to hit the spot! I’ve got to try this soon! Thank you!
January 11, 2013 at 9:31 am
Total comfort drink! Gingerbread makes me feel great, especially warmed up in a hot drink!
January 11, 2013 at 10:32 am
I am so trying this recipe on my teenagers. I am sure they would love it. Actually mom might have to try some as well. Gingerbread chocolate and cream how lovely.
January 11, 2013 at 12:20 pm
I bought molasses for the first time in years, with high hopes of making a gingerbread. Unfortunately 2012 will go down in history as yet another year sans home-made gingerbread house. You have given my gingerbread a sweet home! I can’t wait to try this recipe.
January 11, 2013 at 12:31 pm
That sounds wonderful. I usually add vanilla & spices to hot chocolate, but the chocolate chips, salt, and molasses are (very welcome) news to me. Thank you!
January 11, 2013 at 12:55 pm
This looks like a wonderful change from the traditional (thought still delicious) hot chocolate. I prefer to have to use a spoon in my hot chocolate, so I love the thick texture of this. I’ll have to make some for a nice dessert!
January 11, 2013 at 11:10 pm
Wow. This sounds fabulous! I love all of those flavors.
January 12, 2013 at 12:28 am
Oh, sure. I post a simple hot cocoa recipe and now you post this totally awesome, tricked-out hot cocoa recipe. :) I think I’ll have to try yours as a spiked version.
January 12, 2013 at 12:49 am
mmm well this certainly sounds warm and inviting :) I really, really enjoy this picture..Reminds me of sitting on the porch of a log cabin.
January 12, 2013 at 5:09 am
Looks delicious! :)
January 12, 2013 at 6:50 am
A rich and delicious hot cocoa…
I recently tried a hot cocoa made from white vegan chocolate chips. Heaven!
January 12, 2013 at 9:06 am
Mmm, chocolate + warming spices = love. I drink hot beverages like this year-round, despite what the thermometer says! :)
January 12, 2013 at 1:27 pm
Gingerbread and chocolate, absolute genius. Even the photo makes it look like it could be the best the hot chocolate ever
January 15, 2013 at 2:54 am
Gingerbread and chocolate makes me still think of Christmas but I can imagine this to be good on a chilly day.
How about chilli and dark chocolate. I LOVE that combination.
January 15, 2013 at 9:45 am
It’s been so long since I made my own hot chocolate. I discovered a while ago a brand that makes the best hot chocolate and since then I stopped trying or searching. But this looks really great!
January 16, 2013 at 9:45 pm
Molasses to hot cocoa? That’s a great idea Hannah! It’s been raining here for almost a week, would go crazy over a cup of this right now!
January 21, 2013 at 8:11 am
I made this yesterday & loved every sip of it!
So good, so wonderful too!:) Yeah!!! xxx
January 21, 2013 at 12:05 pm
That hot chocolate looks yummy!
January 24, 2013 at 8:44 pm
Mmm that cup of hot chocolate looks so rich and yummy! Wish I have a cup of it in my hands right now!