Cherry Hot Chocolate

For the longest time I was trying to figure out ways to use the juice from the maraschino cherries. I hated throwing it out when I knew it could be put to good use. However, now I have the opposite problem, I have ended up with a jar of maraschino cherries and almost no juice. That is why I made this hot chocolate, even though I already have a cherry hot chocolate or as it is called Black Forest Hot Chocolate, because it uses both some cherry juice and cherries.

Both hot chocolates are delicious and just have a few differences. So depending on your preferences or what you have in your kitchen one might work better than the other for you. Or you could be like me and just make both of them.

Cherry Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup maraschino cherry juice, from the jar of cherries
• 6 maraschino cherries, without stems
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3 ounces dark chocolate chips
• 2 ounces milk chocolate chips
• whipped cream
• maraschino cherries

Directions:

1. Add the cherry juice and cherries to a blender and blend until as smooth as possible. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a medium saucepan. Discard any solid cherries pieces left in the strainer.
2. Add the cream and milk to the saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring often, until the mixture just begins to simmer. Do not let the mixture come to a boil.
3. Turn the heat down to low and add both chocolate chips. Stir the mixture until the chocolate chips have completely melted and the hot chocolate is smooth. Again do not let the mixture come to a boil.
4. Top each serving with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry, if desired.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Serves: 3
Amount Per Serving
Calories 496
Total Fat		29.8g
Saturated Fat		19.8g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0g
Monounsaturated Fat		0g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		64.5g
Sodium		101.9g
Potassium		206g
Total Carbohydrates		40.7g
Dietary Fiber		3.5g
Sugars		31.6g
Protein		5.8g
Vitamin A 15.71% Vitamin C 1%
Calcium 17.94% Iron 8.12%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Sugar Hero.