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spiderweb hot chocolate recipe

Spiderweb Hot Chocolate

This Spiderweb Hot Chocolate combines rich, velvety chocolate with a fun decorative element perfect for Halloween gatherings. The impressive web design creates a spooky-cute presentation that's surprisingly simple to achieve, making this warming beverage both delicious and visually striking.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 4 mugs
Course: Beverage
Cuisine: American
Calories: 220
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups milk or half milk, half cream for extra richness
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar adjustable to taste
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • whipped cream for topping
  • chocolate syrup or 2 tablespoons melted chocolate (for the web design)

Equipment

  • Saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Toothpick

Method
 

  1. In a saucepan, whisk together the cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and salt with 1/2 cup of the milk until you form a smooth paste. This blooms the cocoa and prevents lumps.
  2. Gradually whisk in the remaining 2 1/2 cups milk and warm the mixture over medium heat until steaming but not boiling.
  3. Once hot, stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. Divide the hot chocolate among four mugs.
  5. Top each mug with a generous swirl of whipped cream to create a canvas for your spiderweb design.
  6. Using chocolate syrup or melted chocolate in a zip-top bag with a tiny corner snipped off, pipe 4-5 concentric circles onto the whipped cream.
  7. With a toothpick, drag lines from the center outward, wiping the tip between each line, to create the spiderweb effect.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, substitute oat milk or almond milk and use coconut whipped cream. If you prefer less sweetness, start with 1/3 cup sugar and adjust to taste.
Try these delicious variations: add a touch of peppermint extract for a refreshing twist, sprinkle cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne for Mexican-inspired hot chocolate, or incorporate a tablespoon of instant coffee for a mocha version.
For parties, set up a "web station" with squeeze bottles of chocolate syrup so guests can decorate their own mugs while keeping the hot chocolate warm in a slow cooker set to low.