Fruit Sweetened Hot Cocoa Food

HOT COCOA COOKIES

Steps:

• Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until incorporated. Reduce the mixer speed to low; add the flour mixture in 2 batches and beat until just incorporated. Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
• Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Working with 1 piece of dough at a time, dust the dough generously with flour and roll out between 2 pieces of parchment paper until about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out shapes using 2-to-4-inch cookie cutters and transfer to the prepared baking sheets. Gather the scraps and refrigerate until firm; reroll once to cut out more cookies. Refrigerate the cutouts until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Position racks in the upper and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Bake the cookies, switching the position of the pans halfway through, until slightly puffed and darker around the edges, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely. Sandwich the cookies with the marshmallow cream.

PERFECT HOT COCOA

Steps:

• Bring 4 cups whole or low-fat milk to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Mix 3/4 cup sugar, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder and 3 to 4 ounces finely chopped bittersweet chocolate in a bowl, then whisk into the milk. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring, until the chocolate melts and the cocoa is thick, about 2 minutes. Divide among 4 mugs and garnish each with homemade marshmallows (see below) or whipped cream.

FRUIT-SWEETENED LEMONADE

Steps:

• Set up your juicer and turn it on. Run the pieces of apple and lemon through and juice.
• Add a pinch of salt and stir. Allow the juice to settle for a few minutes and skim off any foam that rises to the top. Serve over lots of ice.

FRUIT-SWEETENED FIG AND WALNUT BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Oil an 8-by-8-inch baking pan.
• Put the figs and dates in a medium bowl and cover with very hot water until soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a food processor; process until very smooth.
• Put the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth.
• Whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda in a small bowl.
• Add the melted chocolate and oil to the fruit puree and pulse to combine. Add the eggs and vanilla and pulse to combine. Add the flour mixture and pulse until just combined. Then add 1/2 cup of walnuts and pulse until the walnuts are in pieces about the size of peas.
• Transfer the brownie batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top. Break up the remaining 1/4 cup walnuts into small pieces and push into the top of the batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out moist with a little bit of batter clinging to it, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely in the pan on a rack. Cut into 16 squares. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

FRUIT-SWEETENED CHOCOLATE FROSTING

Steps:

• Soak the date pieces in very hot water until very soft, about 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a food processor. Put the chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl and heat for 30 second increments, stirring after each, until melted and smooth. Add to the dates along with the heavy cream and cocoa powder. Process until light and smooth.

GINGER SPICED HOT COCOA

Steps:

• In a small saucepan heat the milk and ginger over a medium-low heat until scalding, about 4 minutes. While the milk is warming, put cocoa powder and sugar into a mug. Add the water to the mug and stir until the mixture has the consistency of a paste. Remove the ginger from the warmed milk. Add the chocolate mixture to the milk and whisk until slightly frothy. Pour the hot chocolate into the mug and top with chocolate shavings.

CREAMY HOT COCOA

Steps:

• Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.