hot chocolate orange.

Now it's almost December. is it okay to talk about the C word? I mean chocolate, of course. There's something about chocolate orange that gets all those festive feelings going for me. And with the night's drawing colder and darker, what better time to curl up with a hot chocolate, a cosy blanket and a nostalgic Winter film?

This tangy and indulgent hot chocolate recipe (should it be coined hot chocolate orange or orange hot chocolate?) is super simple to make and uses all the ingredients you'd find in your local Central England Co-op store. Even the decorations! I was super impressed by the baking aisle in general, with lots of lovely cake decorating items from Co-op and known brands, as well as lots of types of sugar, flour and confectionary. This delicious drink can also be made vegan, as the dark chocolate already is and you'd just need to substitute the dairy for a nut or oak milk and cream of your choosing. Enjoy!

Shopping list.
(Makes two drinks)
♥ 400ml milk
♥ Co-op Irresistible Fairtrade 54% Cocoa Dark Chocolate with Orange (100g)

♥ Whipped cream
♥ Fancy decorations - think sprinkles, chocolate stars and pieces of the dark chocolate with orange.

All available at your local Central England Co-op store

Step one. Warm the milk in a microwave for a 30 seconds at a time, to achieve a lukewarm temperature. Be wary not to boil it.

Tip: If you have a particular mug you want to fill, measure the milk in it with around 2cm/1 inch left at the top for the chocolate.

Step two. Meanwhile, slowly melt the chocolate in a saucepan on a very low heat, stirring constantly.

Step three. When the chocolate has melted, slowly pour in the warm milk. This is because if you added fridge-cold milk to the wam chocolate it may separate.

Step four. When mixed, pour into your favourite mug and decorate as you desire!

Perhaps even enjoy with one of their cute Santa brownie bites - yum! 

Have you tried the Central England Co-op Christmas range yet? What would you top your homemade hot chocolate with?

In collaboration with Central England Co-op