Name: Nordic Spiced Saffron Hot Chocolate Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 cup Whole milk; 1/2 tsp Cardamom (Ground or whole seeds, crushed lightly); 1/2 tsp Ground cinnamon (For extra flavor you can add a cinnamon stick to the milk as it warms.); 1 Large pinch Saffron ( You can use whole saffron threads or powdered saffron.); 4 tsp Brown sugar; 1/2 cup Dark Chocolate (Use high-quality dark chocolate- either chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate. ); 4 Tsp Cocoa powder (unsweetened); Pinch of salt

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Winter in Sweden can be long and dark, but I’ve learned to embrace the season by indulging in cozy comforts like homemade hot chocolate. This particular recipe was born from a mission to create the ultimate winter warmer.

Warm spices like Saffron, cinnamon, and cardamon combine with dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and whole milk to create a rich and creamy hot chocolate fit for a Nordic winter.

You might be surprised to learn that saffron, a spice with roots in ancient Rome, is incredibly popular in Nordic countries. Its golden color and warm flavor have made it a symbol of luxury and celebration, especially during the holiday season. It's used to make saffron buns ( Lussekatter) that are synonymous with Swedish Christmas. Introduced in the north during the 17th century, saffron has earned a deep-rooted place in Nordic cuisine.

Ingredients

Serves 2

2 cups Whole milk – I’ve found that the best hot chocolate is made using full-fat milk, the higher fat content in whole milk helps to carry the flavors of the chocolate. You can also use regular milk if you prefer.

1/2 tsp Cardamom – I used cardamom seeds that I lightly crushed using a pestle and mortar. You can also use powdered cardamom.

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon – For extra flavor, you can add a cinnamon stick to the milk as it warms.

Large pinch of saffron – you can use whole saffron threads or powdered saffron. You don’t need a lot of saffron to add a lot of flavor!

4 tsp of Brown sugar – Muscovado sugar adds a delicious, malty flavor to hot chocolate!

1/2 cup Dark Chocolate – chopped. I recommend that you use the best bar of chocolate that you can get your hands on. You can also use bittersweet chocolate chips with a high percentage of cocoa solids. The important thing is that it’s top-quality chocolate and the kind of chocolate that you would enjoy eating. If you would like to use milk chocolate you can add a little extra cocoa powder if you like.

4 Tsp Cocoa powder – use a high-quality unsweetened cocoa powder for best results

Pinch of salt

Method

1. Warm the milk over medium-low heat together with a cinnamon stick if using, cardamom seeds and a generous pinch of saffron. Stir occasionally but don’t allow it to boil.

2. When you start to see bubbles forming on the side of the pot ( about 10 minutes), add the sugar, cocoa powder, and cinnamon powder to the warm milk and stir with a whisk or a wooden spoon until dissolved.

3. Add the chopped chocolate or chocolate chips and a pinch of sea salt and mix until melted and combined.
Pass through a sieve before serving.

Serving tips

Serve each cup of hot chocolate topped with some fresh whipping cream, a star anise, mini marshmallows, chocolate shavings, or a little orange zest.

To make this hot chocolate vegan: use almond, oat, or coconut milk, and be sure to use dairy-free chocolate and a plant-based cream for serving.

This luxurious hot chocolate has quickly become one of my favorite drinks to enjoy on cold winter evenings, let me know in the comments below if you try it!