Grandma Watson's French Chocolate Recipe

They serve French Chocolate at the Muchmore Christmas party in my contemporary rom-com Adelaide. This magical frothy drink or chocolatey goodness has been a family tradition for nearly 20 years.

It was Christmas 2002 and my new friend Lara was spending Christmas with us. Both of our husbands were doing medical residency and her husband was on call Christmas day. It was her first Christmas away from family. To make her feel closer to her home Lara brought a bunch of favorite recipes including this glorious hot chocolate.

Grandma Watson’s French Hot Chocolate

5 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1 cup water

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 cups whipping cream, whipped fairly stiff

1 gallon whole milk, hot

In double boiler* blend chocolate and water until melted. Add the sugar and salt. Cook for 4 minutes only. Cool chocolate mixture. Fold cooled chocolate mixture gradually into stiffed whipped cream. Do not beat.

Place one or two large spoonfuls of chocolate cream in a mug. Pour in hot milk. Serves 12 to 15 people depending on amount of chocolate people use in each cup. Chocolate cream lasts in the fridge for several days. Enjoy!

*I don’t own a double boiler. So, I use a glass or metal bowl on top of a pot of boiling water.