French Hot Chocolate with Chantilly Cream
December On My Table and Gift Ideas
On a personal note..
Its December and I’ve officially been an expat living in France for over a month. (“pinch”) I will forever be in awe at how much life can change in a year. Last holiday season, I was settling into my role as Senior Photo Producer for Crate & Barrel, living in Chicago, along with celebrating Christmas as a newlywed. Fast forward to picking up our lives and relocating to Bordeaux, learning French, and happily working again as a full time food creator.
To quote Ferris Bueller: "Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
(Sorry if you’re not familiar, but my middle name is Ferris, and that movie awarded me an additional nickname as a teenager, plus the whole living in Chicago connection..full circle maybe?)
Anyways, what I’m getting at is the seasonal reflection we all experience in December. Focusing on the year that has passed with thoughts of what we could have done better, what we enjoyed, and what we want to accomplish for the year yet to come. It’s a cycle I have found myself in more Decembers than not. And as I grow older, the rewards of change or stepping outside of my comfort zone, I realize are worth quite more than the risks and effort to do so.
My urge to move abroad began knocking around 2006, when I returned home from a trip to Italy with my Mom. At that time life looked a bit different. I was then, a newlywed living on a mountain farm, far from the traveling creative life I had imagined for myself. It may have taken some intense inner discussions, divorce, a couple career changes, a few moves, meeting the love of my life and lots of paperwork, but here we are 18 years later and I could not be happier.
There is so much to see and do in this world whether small or grandiose and the decision to move towards these experiences is in itself, a brave one. My hope for you dear friend is that you chase after the things you want in life. And this December when you’re focusing on your own reflections I hope you pause for a moment to be gentle and listen to yourself. Whether these plans work out or not, last for years or only a short while, lead to difficult paths or lucky breaks..its worth it to try.
Happy Holidays and Joyeux Noel!
~Jenn
French Hot Chocolate with Chantilly Cream
Let’s have a rich chocolate, creamy, decadent Holiday with some nutmeg and cinnamon. Booze or no booze added, a cup of hot chocolate is a classic seasonal drink. And the melted dark chocolate French version elevates the entire experience.
Recipe Video Link
French Chocolat Chaud Recipe
*This recipe makes 3 cups of hot chocolate and 2 cups of stabilized chantilly cream.
Ingredients
“Chocolat Chaud”
480 grams (2 cups) whole milk *add 60 grams (1/4 cup) more if you want to thin out hot chocolate
120 grams (1/2 cup) heavy cream
(10 ounces) dark chocolate 70%, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
“Chantilly Cream”
240 grams (1 cup) heavy whipping cream, cold
80 grams (1/3 cup) mascarpone
60 grams (1/2 cup) powdered sugar/icing sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste or 2 vanilla bean pods scraped
Instructions
Make the chantilly cream just before and store it in the fridge until ready to serve.
Place the mascarpone, cream, icing sugar, and vanilla in a medium bowl. Using an electric beater on medium high in a circular motion, whip until thick.
To make the hot chocolate, using a medium sauce pan, stir together the milk, cream, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg. Bring to a simmer over medium to medium low heat. Just enough to bubble slightly.
Remove pan from the heat, add the chopped chocolate and let it stand for a couple minutes to melt the chocolate. Whisk until smooth.
If the chocolate isn’t fully melted, heat on low for 3-4 minutes, then stir again.
Pour the French hot chocolate into warm mugs and top with dollops of chantilly cream.
Serve immediately with an extra grate of nutmeg atop the cream and a cinnamon stick.
Notes
*Chocolate chaud will look like a thick creamy chocolate drink. As it sits in your cup it will form a rich dark chocolate layer on top. Stir before serving.
The ‘stabilized’ Chantilly Cream made with mascarpone will stay fresh stored in an air tight container in the fridge for 2-3 days
Holiday Cookie Recipes
Christmas Sugar Cookies with homemade royal icing have become my favorite holiday tradition. This recipe is from my cookbook and one that I’ve tweaked over the years. Nostalgic cookies worth sampling every time you walk through the kitchen. For cookie cutters, check out this whimsical tree or my personal favorite little pig, which looks so cute with a sugar scarf.
Gingerbread truly shines during the holiday months and my most loved recipes are my Maple Syrup Gingerbread Cookies and the popular Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies. If you’re not a huge fan of molasses, give my maple syrup cookies a try.
Or if you prefer chocolate, bake a table decor worthy Chocolate Shortbread Cookie Tree or make a batch of my big classic Chocolate Gingerbread Cookies.
I know eggnog can be hit or miss, but a little nog and white chocolate turns these Eggnog Gingerbread Thumbprint Cookies into a fun holiday recipe to share for a cookie exchange.
More Holiday Recipes to Make
I love to give food as holiday gifts to neighbors or paired with a bottle of wine as a hostess gift. My Orange Ginger Honey Cakes recipe makes four small loaves that you can wrap individually with parchment paper and string.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge is the edible gift that I’ve gotten the most immediate “thank you and I’ve already eaten all of it” texts.
Baked Gingerbread Donuts with an easy vanilla icing, come together quickly for a winter morning treat. Or if you want to get really fancy, serve Hazelnut Chocolate Mousse to your holiday guests.
*Some of the Holiday Gift links below are affiliate links from my Amazon shop and I may make a small commission if you decide to purchase. Thank you for supporting my work!
Holiday Gift Ideas
A subscription to “On My Table” for weekly recipes, food stories, and life in France. Get 20% off through December 8th.
Maldon Flaky Sea Salt, is a great stocking stuffer and the perfect topping from shishito peppers to chocolate chip cookies.
Guittard Chocolate Baking Kit for the baker and chocolate dessert lover.
Nielson-Massey Bourbon Vanilla Bean Paste is a must!
Le Creuset Enameled Cast Iron Signature Round Dutch Oven, 3.5 qt.
Emile Henry 9inch Classic Pie Dish, I have two, they’re so beautiful for serving and baking pie.
La Maison Du Chocolat Paris, gift box.
Le Saunier De Camargue Fleur De Sel, esteemed French finishing salt.
Emile Henry Cheese Box, for storing and serving all the French cheeses.
Gourmet French Classics Gift Box, by igourmet.
Silpat baking mats are a must.
Maille Mustard variety pack, I always have a dijon and a whole grain.
Sezane or Octobre gift card. Quality chic french inspired clothing for women and men.
Veja giftcard for stylish, responsible sneakers for men and women.
Diptyque “Pomander” Candle, “A surge of spices, candied peel and sweet scents... The ultimate winter fragrance in an ode to oranges studded with cloves.”
The French Ingredient by Jane Birch.
Joie: A Parisian's Guide to Celebrating the Good Life by Ajiri Aki
Violette_FR Bisou Jelly Duo, for that just kissed lip balm look. I have several of these!
Robert Doisneau: Paris, soulful portraits of Paris!
~Of Course you can’t go wrong with a bottle of Champagne and a set of nice coupe glasses either!
Off the Bookshelf
The NY Times article on the 25 Most Influential Cookbooks from the last 100 years is a great read. I noticed several of my favorites and put a few more on my wishlist. Are there any you’re excited to try or one you think should have made the list?
Cookbooks as Holiday Gifts
My cookbook, “The Southern Baking Cookbook” with baking recipes for all levels.
The Elements of Baking by Katarina Cermelj : Making any recipe gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free or vegan.
Sicily, My Sweet by Victoria Granof : Love Notes to an Island, with Recipes for Cakes, Cookies, Puddings, and Preserves
Matty Matheson: Soups, Salads, Sandwiches. From the chef, actor and executive producer of series, The Bear.
The Bean Book: 100 Recipes for Cooking With All Kinds of Beans, From the Rancho Gordo Kitchen by Steve Sando.
Kismet: Bright, Fresh Vegetable-Loving Recipes by Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson.
Wine Sipping
This holiday season treat yourself to a small glass of my favorite dessert wine, Sauternes. This sweet French wine originates from Bordeaux, made with sémillon, sauvignon blanc, and muscadelle grapes. Lovely flavor notes of honeyed apricot, butterscotch, caramel, ginger, and marmalade. Along with hints of honeysuckle and toasted spices for a festive drink. Serve chilled, paired to cheese plates, fruity desserts, rich cheesecakes, and fruit tarts.
Recipes Coming to “On My Table”
French Mac and Cheese
Holiday Fruit Crisp
Holiday Roasted Carrots
Cookies, Bread, and more!