Spiced Mexican Hot Chocolate Food

SPICED HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Sift all ingredients together into a large bowl. Whisk the mixture together to be sure the spices are evenly distributed.
• To serve, stir 3 tablespoons of the mix into 1½ cups (12 ounces) of hot milk. Serve in large mugs. Store the remaining mix in a tightly-sealed jar.
• Split the vanilla bean lengthwise and scrape out the seeds with the back of a knife. Combine the sugar, vanilla pod and seeds together and store in an airtight container for at least 1 week before using.

CHURROS WITH MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE SPICE MIX

Steps:

• Preheat a deep-fryer or place the vegetable oil into a medium pot over medium-high heat until the oil is 350 degrees F.
• Place the butter, brown sugar, Mexican vanilla extract, salt and 1 cup water in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the flour all at once and stir vigorously with a whisk to combine thoroughly and quickly. Lower the heat to low and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, for 3 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, then add the eggs, one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each one. Once both are added, stir vigorously until the dough is homogenous. Place in a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip.
• Combine the granulated sugar, turbinado sugar, cacao nibs, Mexican cinnamon, flaky salt and chipotle powder in a bowl and pour onto a quarter-sheet tray or shallow dish. Set aside.
• Carefully pipe the dough mixture into the oil, cutting when each piece is 5 inches long, and cook in batches, separating to prevent sticking with tongs or a spider, until crisp and golden, about 4 minutes.
• Remove from the oil and place on a tray lined with a paper towel to drain. While still hot, transfer to the sugar mixture and roll until thoroughly coated. Repeat with the remaining dough and serve immediately.
• As street food, these would be served in a heavy paper cone. At home, they can be served in a coffee cup standing up or in a small short vase.

SPICED MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Mix milk, chocolate and cinnamon in saucepan; cook on medium heat until chocolate is completely melted and mixture just comes to boil, stirring constantly.
• Pour evenly into 4 mugs or cups.
• Top each with 1 Tbsp. of the whipped topping. Serve each with 1 Chocolate-Dipped Cinnamon Stick (see Tip), if desired.

SPICY MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Beat 1 1/2 cups sugar, butter, vanilla extract, and salt together in a bowl until fluffy. Beat in eggs; add cream of tartar and baking soda. Beat in cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and cayenne powder. Beat in flour. Stir chocolate chips into the dough.
• Mix remaining 1/4 cup sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon together in a bowl.
• Roll heaping tablespoons of dough into balls. Roll balls in the sugar-cinnamon mixture and place on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until centers are set and edges crack slightly, about 10 minutes. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes.

EASY HOT SPICED MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in a saucepan. Split the vanilla bean and add to the boiling water. Add sugar, cinnamon, espresso, and a pinch of salt. Simmer for 1 minute and add the bittersweet chocolate. Whisk until it gets thick. Add milk and simmer 1 minute.
• Serve immediately with sprinkling of chili powder on top, and you can add a dollop of vanilla ice cream if you wish.

SPICY MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE FUDGE

Steps:

• Lightly coat an 8x8-inch pan with baking spray; line with parchment paper and spray again. Set aside.
• Fill a saucepan with water, about 2-inches deep and bring to a simmer.
• In a mixing bowl, one that is larger than the saucepan, combine chopped chocolate, butter, condensed milk and coffee.
• Set mixing bowl over simmering water, making sure that the bowl does not touch the water.
• Stirring frequently, cook until chocolate is melted and completely smooth.
• Stir in cinnamon, chili powder and cayenne pepper.
• Remove from heat and pour into the previously prepared pan.
• Sprinkle with salt and chill in the fridge for 4 hours. For best results, chill over night.
• Cut into squares and serve.

MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE

Steps:

• Pour the milk into a medium saucepan, add the cinnamon sticks and stir frequently over a medium heat (don't let it boil) until the milk is fragrant, about 5 mins.
• Remove and discard the cinnamon sticks, then add the cocoa, vanilla, chilli powder and sugar. Remove from the heat and whisk until the mixture is smooth and frothy - this will only take a couple of minutes. Divide between two mugs and garnish with fresh cinnamon sticks.

SPICY MEXICAN COOKIES (CHOCOLATE)

Steps:

• In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa, cinnamon, cayenne, salt and pepper.
• In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream the butter and sugar. Add the egg and vanilla and mix until light and fluffy.
• Slowly add the dry ingredients until they are fully blended into the dough and no traces of the flour mix remain.
• Divide the dough in two and roll each half into a log that's 9 inches long. Wrap each log tightly in plastic wrap and place in the freezer overnight or a minimum eight hours (if you're not interested in baking the whole batch at once, the dough will keep up to six weeks in the freezer).
• Having been frozen, the dough will require a small amount of effort to cut through. With a sharp knife, cut 1/3" cookies from the dough. Bake at 375° F for 8-10 minutes or until edges are firm. Allow cookies to cool 30 seconds to a minute then transfer to a wire rack to cool.