How To Pair Hot Chocolate With Iconic Winter Snacks And Desserts
Introduction
Being a versatile beverage, hot chocolate is a good choice for pairing with food. The drink itself has many variations across cultures. From flavourings to richness, it changes from one country to another. Pairing hot cocoa and its versions with snacks and desserts based on complementary flavour profiles is essential.
For example, soft pretzels can team up well with simple hot chocolate. The former’s fluffy yet chewy texture cuts through the latter’s rich taste. Pairing appetisers and treats with hot chocolate in this way will ensure that the drink is balanced. It will also maintain consistency in texture and taste.
While pairing hot chocolate with foods, avoid tangy or very spicy preparations. The flavours clash instead of complementing. Keep the theme of the event or party in mind while picking dishes to pair with hot chocolate. Try including more winter produce and fruits on your menu, as most of them go well with the rich flavours of hot chocolate.
Pairing Hot Chocolate With Iconic Winter Snacks And Desserts
-
Roasted Pumpkin Squash Nachos
Being a rich and creamy beverage, hot chocolate goes well with savoury dishes. This dish brings in the best of seasonal flavours and crunchy texture. Alternating layers of crispy nachos with homemade salsa, roasted pumpkins and squash cubes, black beans, spices and melted cheese. This creates a great combination with the chocolatey taste of hot cocoa for any winter occasion.
-
Stuffed Peppers
There is plenty of crunch and cream in these party appetisers. Replete with cream cheese, broccoli florets, chives and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs. Other than a contrast in taste and texture, these roasted peppers also offer a hint of smokiness.
-
Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Pick tree-to-table strawberries from local farms or vendors for the complete experience. Dipping these iconic seasonal berries in melted chocolate creates a luxurious treat. The sweet succulence of strawberries has a hint of tartness which is complemented by the bittersweet dark chocolate. Pair your sugary or sweeter hot cocoa cups with these treats for special occasions.
-
Tiramisu
Coffee and chocolate are well-suited for one another, as they share a similar flavour profile. Both contain bitter notes, fruity highlights and caramel undertones. So, when tiramisu is served with hot chocolate, the result is a true culinary match.
-
Cauliflower Stir Fry
This crispy, savoury preparation is a popular appetiser, appreciated for its simplicity and texture. Sautee the winter veggie with Indian whole spices, garlic, and maple sauce. It will add a different flavour dimension to the dish.
-
Blooming Baked Apples
This dessert is visually striking and full of earthy walnuts, tender apples and tart cranberries. Top it off with a simple cinnamon banana cream and crumbly granola. The resultant treat will be a great accompaniment to any kind of hot chocolate due to its compatible taste and contrasting texture.
Hot Chocolate Variations And Their Pairings
-
Mexican Hot Chocolate
Since Mexican hot chocolate offers a generous amount of spice in every sip, it will pair nicely with simple fried treats like churros and beignets. Among snacks, go with roasted and savoury appetisers like gourmet cheese, caramel popcorn and salted nuts.
-
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
To match the zesty flavours of peppermint in this hot chocolate, only uber-sweet treats like dulce du leche cheesecake and salted caramel pudding are up to the task. Fruit tarts and pastries also pair well with this winter-special hot cocoa variant.
-
Viennese Hot Chocolate
This hot chocolate variant has an egg yolk in the mix to thicken and sweeten the deal. This decadent drink tastes best with crispy cutlets, schnitzels, croissants and cookies. The fluffy and flakey textures are ideal for dipping in the hot chocolate and savouring as a special treat.
-
White Hot Chocolate
Being the mildest of all hot chocolates, in terms of the traditional chocolatey taste, this cuppa has a sweet and smooth flavour profile. It will pair excellently with blue cheese, caramelised nuts, seasonal berries and biscotti.
Pairing snacks and treats with hot chocolate is not difficult. Whether you are enjoying a classic cup of cocoa or experimenting with creative twists like spiced mocha versions. The key to successful pairing food with hot chocolate lies in identifying and choosing textures and flavours that work well with each other. So, experiment with different flavour combinations to find the ideal match for your mug of hot chocolate.
Drink Responsibly. This communication is for audiences above the age of 25.
