Make your hot chocolate 'more indulgent' by stirring in a spoonful of 95p cupboard staple
If you're a fan of hot chocolate, there's a simple trick to make it taste even better – and it involves just one ingredient you've probably already got in your kitchen cupboard.
“It makes the drink thicker and gives you that really nice combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Start with a small spoonful and add more if you need it. You don't want to completely lose the chocolate flavour.”
There's something about a hot chocolate that just feels wonderfully cosy and autumnal. On occasion, a tea or coffee just won't do, and you need that additional sweetness and comfort that comes with this classic hot drink.
Just as people enjoy adding various flavoured syrups to their coffee, you can also effortlessly elevate your hot chocolate. If you are growing tired of the usual marshmallows and cream, there's another very straightforward way to create the 'perfect' hot chocolate.
And it requires just one ingredient that you have likely already got sitting in your kitchen cupboard.
Dervis Bayram, a freeze-dried sweets expert at Crunchie Munchies, says you can 'take your hot chocolate up a notch' with the help of simple kitchen staples that might seem boring on their own, but which complement the hot drink beautifully.
And one that works the best isn't vanilla or cream — it's peanut butter.
This pairing has been popular for years in the form of Reese's peanut butter cups, so it makes complete sense that it would work brilliantly in drink form as well.
Dervis explained: 'If you're after something a bit more indulgent, try stirring in a spoonful of peanut butter.
"It makes the drink thicker and gives you that really nice combination of chocolate and peanut butter. Start with a small spoonful and add more if you need it. You don't want to completely lose the chocolate flavour."
It may come as a surprise, but salty peanut butter works very well in this case. The saltiness provides a contrast to the sweetness of the chocolate, intensifying its flavour and resulting in a richer, creamier drink that you will find yourself reaching for throughout the autumn months.
How to make peanut butter hot chocolate
For those looking to make the ultimate peanut butter hot chocolate, the culinary experts at Baking Mischief have put together a simple recipe requiring just a small number of ingredients.
The recipe notes state: "Adding peanut butter to hot chocolate not only makes your hot chocolate a peanut buttery delight, it also gives it a rich and creamy texture, so it feels ten times more decadent."
- One tablespoon water
- One cup milk
- One heaping tablespoon creamy peanut butter.
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa powder, and water. Heat over a medium heat and stir until the sugar and cocoa powder dissolve.
Add the milk and peanut butter and stir. Heat again, stirring occasionally, until the milk begins to steam and the peanut butter is completely dissolved.
Pour into a mug, top with optional whipped cream and peanut butter sauce if you like, and enjoy.
