Frozen Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• 3.5 ounces good-quality milk or dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 2 teaspoons commercially prepared hot chocolate mix
• 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/2 cups light cream
• 2 1/2 cups ice
• Whipped cream or ice cream, to top, optional

Directions

Set the chopped chocolate in the top of a double boiler over gently simmering water, and stir now and then as it melts. Stir in the hot chocolate mix and sugar, keeping the spoon moving until everything is fully combined. Take the pan off the heat, drizzle in 1/2 cup of the light cream a little at a time, and mix until the chocolate base is silky. Let it cool to room temperature. Add the rest of the cream to a blender, then add the room-temperature chocolate mixture and the ice. Blend on high until smooth and thick like a frozen café drink. Pour into glasses, and serve with spoons and straws. If you like, finish with whipped cream, or go bigger with a scoop of chocolate ice cream.