Where I live, it was 71 degrees while I raked the leaves out of my yard yesterday, and last week I comfortably wore flip flops. All of this warm weather is backed up by a new report from the National Climatic Data Center that says 2024 will go down as the hottest year on record. It’s hard to believe Christmas is less than four weeks away when we’ve yet to pull out our winter coats!
While any other winter we’d be stirring up hot chocolate by now to stay warm and cozy, this year we need something to keep us cool. That’s right, we’re making Frozen Hot Chocolate and think you should, too!
It’s still creamy, chocolatey, and topped with marshmallows, but it’s blended with ice and sipped with a straw instead. Our Frozen Hot Chocolate was inspired by the original at New York’s Serendipity. As delightful an experience as that candy shop trip can be, their version has 340 calories. Ours, however, makes 140 calories sound pretty indulgent!
We kept the ingredients simple yet flavorful. You want a quality low-fat chocolate milk to start. We love Hildebrand dairy, which is considered a micro-creamery and makes some of the most wholesome milk around. Plus, let’s be honest, the glass bottle is just pretty!
We also use cocoa powder, just a little sugar to sweeten (feel free to skip it or use an alternative), and ice cubes to make our frozen treat.
All of this is added to the blender until the ice is crushed and ingredients well combined.
Pour the Frozen Hot Chocolate in to two tall glasses (freeze them first for an extra frosty look) and top with a few hot chocolate necessities, like whipped topping and marshmallows. A dusting of cocoa powder and a tall straw will finish this drink-turned-dessert with delicate holiday flare.
Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
1 cup low-fat chocolate milk
1 ½ Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 ½ Tbsp. sugar
1 cup ice cubes
½ cup canned fat-free dairy whipped topping (like Reddi-wip)
optional garnish: marshmallows, cocoa powder
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Put chocolate milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and ice cubes in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Pour into 2 glasses. Squirt about ¼ cup whipped cream on top of each.
4. Garnish with a marshmallow and cocoa if desired.
If you really want to warm up your Frozen Hot Chocolate, you can add a splash of Bailey’s to the adult drinkers’ glasses; just remember that one shot adds 147 calories!
Try More of our Favorite Holiday Treat: