In Puerto Rico, we experience cooler temperatures in the evenings during the winter months. As a result, hot chocolate is the preferred beverage served at this time period. My aunt, Paulita, always prepared hot chocolate to keep us warm before bedtime. Did you know that the hot chocolate is always served with pieces of Edam cheese inside each cup? Therefore, the best part is to scoop up the melted cheese with a spoon after drinking half the cup of hot chocolate. What a tasty rich chocolate and cheesy hot drink!
The Sweet Chocolate Bars!
There are two major brands of sweet chocolate bars: Cortés and Goya. However, the Chocolate Cortés brand is a very popular in Puerto Rico since 1929. They are considered the biggest chocolate producer in the Caribbean. Today you can purchase the chocolate bars or the ground chocolate. I prefer to prepare my hot chocolate the old fashion way with the chocolate bars and I purchase both brands!
Let’s Start Preparing the Hot Chocolate!
Place 2 full bars of sweet chocolate in a saucepan to yield two cups of Hot Chocolate.
If you just want one cup of Hot Chocolate, place only 1 full bar of sweet chocolate in the saucepan.
Pour 2 tablespoons of milk into saucepan.
Stir with a spoon until the sweet chocolate bars are fully melted over low heat.
We do not melt the sweet chocolate bars in a double boiler. We prefer the traditional method of melting the sweet chocolate by adding water or milk to the saucepan.
The chocolate bars are completely melted and have a rich dark color with a smooth and silky consistency.
Since we added 2 sweet chocolate bars, let’s pour two cups of milk.
I use skim milk but you use the milk of your preference.
Stir until the milk and the melted chocolate are well blended.
Bring to a boil for approximately 2 minutes. Once the hot chocolate starts creating a frothy layer on top, the hot chocolate is ready to be served.
How to Prepare the Cheese for Our Hot Chocolate!
In Puerto Rico, we use Edam Cheese, which is a Dutch Cheese, for many recipes (shredded or cut into cubes). It is the second most important cheese in the Netherlands. Edam cheese is semi-hard, with a fat content of 40 percent. It has a sweet, mellow nutty flavor. The exported version is shaped into a ball and covered in a red wax casing.
Insert a knife into the red wax casing and make a small slit. lift the wax casing and remove with your hands.
Cut Edam cheese in half.
With a knife, cut 2 ounces of Edam cheese into small pieces.
We are Ready to Serve the Hot Chocolate!
Add small pieces of Edam cheese inside a cup.
Carefully pour the hot chocolate into the cup.
Enjoy a creamy and frothy hot chocolate bursting with rich chocolate flavors!
Scoop up the melted cheese with a spoon after drinking half the cup of hot chocolate for an extra cheesy delight!
Click on the button below to watch my YouTube video on How to Prepare Hot Chocolate (Chocolate Caliente)!
Recipe and Nutritional Facts!
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. Please refer to our Nutritional Facts Disclaimer for more information.
PrintHot Chocolate
- Prep Time: 4 Minutes
- Cook Time: 8 Minutes
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
Description
Enjoy a cup of traditional hot chocolate made with melted chocolate bars for a frothy texture and a rich chocolate flavor that will definitely satisfy anyone’s chocolate cravings.
Ingredients
- 2 bars sweet chocolate (1 ounce each)
- 2 tablespoons of skim milk
- 2 cups skim milk or milk of your preference
- 2 ounces of Edam cheese, cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Add sweet chocolate bars in a saucepan.
- Pour skim milk (2 tablespoons) and stir until sweet chocolate bars are fully melted over low heat.
- Add milk and stir until milk and sweet chocolate are well blended.
- Bring to a boil.
- Once the hot chocolate starts creating a frothy layer on top, the hot chocolate is ready to be served.
- Place small pieces of cheese inside 2 cups and pour hot chocolate into the cups.
Notes
You purchase the brand of your choice for the sweet chocolate bars.
After drinking half the cup of hot chocolate, scoop up the melted cheese with a spoon.
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Keywords: Hot Chocolate
2 Comments. Leave new
our daughter is engaged to someone from Pureto Rica, who often talks of memories of Hot Chocolate. I would like to make this as a special surprise form them at Family christmas dinner. Can I prepare this in one pot for about 15 people, or should i only prepare 2 cups at a time? l thank you for your attention to this question. 11/28/21
Hi Joyce, You can make a large pot of hot chocolate for 15 people by using 15 chocolate bars and 15 cups of milk. What a great Christmas surprise for him and have a beautiful Christmas dinner.