Photo: Chocolate-y Christmas Cafe au Lait Recipe
This is a take-off of sorts on Cafe Brulot, Hot Chocolate, and Cafe au Lait. Both the Cafe Brulot and Cafe au Lait are served in New Orleans, the Brulot after dinner, and au Lait with breakfast. Cafe Brulot consists of orange peel strips, cloves, cinnamon sticks, and sugar being ignited with liqueurs in a large bowl to which black coffee is added. Traditional cafe au lait is scalded milk and black coffee simultaneously poured into a cup or carafe. Both are served piping hot. And the chocolate added to this gives the coffee a definite hot chocolate twist, sure to please all age groups. For a stronger coffee flavor, add another 1/2 cup hot coffee to the mixture.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1/2 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 2 ( 2-inch) cinnamon sticks
- 1 strip orange peel, about 1/2 inch by 3 inches
- 10 whole cloves
- 2 to 2 1/2 cups hot brewed strong coffee
- 1/4 cup cold heavy cream
- Ground cinnamon, for garnish
- Cocoa, for garnish
Directions
In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, 2/3 cup of the sugar, and cocoa until smooth. Add the cinnamon sticks, orange peel and cloves and bring to a simmer, stirring, to dissolve the sugar and prevent the cocoa from sticking to the bottom of the pot. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 10 minutes.
In a medium bowl, whip the cream with the remaining 1 teaspoon sugar until thick and frothy, and peaks form. Set aside.
Strain the milk mixture into a coffee pot or carafe and add 2 cups of the hot coffee (2 1/2 cups for stronger coffee flavor, to taste). Pour into cups or small mugs and top each with a dollop of the sweetened whipped cream.
Serve immediately.
Review This Recipe
You must be logged in to review this recipe.
or Sign Up to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 28 reviews
By Naira
CA
on December 20, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I loved it....I make this over and over. Perfect as is for me!
By Food is Fun
on October 07, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
My daughter and I have had this on Christmas morning every year for years. She starts making sure I have all of the ingredients a week in advance. 2% seems to work just great, but oh yes, it would be a sinfully decadent delight with whole milk. The aroma is fantastic. It makes about 3 servings because I have GIANT coffee mugs. : Never skip the fresh whipped cream - you have to go all the way with this tasty treat.
Thank you Emeril!
By mnyme
Okinawa, Japan
on November 09, 2010
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
This will be a new tradition for Christmas morning. We love this!
Read all 28 reviews