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White Chocolate Orange Almond Cocoa Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 141 reviews
  • Author: Thomas
  • Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: Makes about 3-4 cups of ganache; serves 1 cup of hot cocoa per serving 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Dive into a decadent White Chocolate Orange Almond Cocoa, a luscious and creamy hot chocolate featuring a homemade orange-infused white chocolate ganache blended with oat milk. This luxurious drink is lightly spiced with cinnamon and enhanced with the vibrant flavors of fresh orange zest and almond paste, offering a unique, sophisticated twist on classic cocoa perfect for cozy moments or entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale

Orange Ganache

  • 120g white chocolate (e.g., Callebaut)
  • 1 vanilla bean (scraped)
  • 60g heavy cream
  • 30g orange juice
  • 30g almond paste (e.g., Felchlin “Valencia”)
  • Pinch of cinnamon (0.4g)
  • Zest of 1 large orange

For the Cocoa

  • 300g milk of choice (e.g., Alpro oat milk)
  • 30g whipped cream (optional)
  • Dusting of cinnamon
  • Additional orange zest for garnish
  • Orange wedge for decoration

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ganache: Melt white chocolate and almond paste together over a Bain Marie until fully melted and combined. Remove from heat and set aside.
  2. Infuse the Cream: In a small pot, combine heavy cream, orange zest, scraped vanilla bean, and a pinch of cinnamon. Bring to a gentle simmer, then immediately remove from heat. Let the mixture infuse for 10-15 minutes to develop intense flavor.
  3. Emulsify Ganache: Pour the infused cream into the melted chocolate and almond paste mixture. Using a hand blender, emulsify while slowly adding the orange juice until the ganache is smooth and shiny.
  4. Set Ganache: Refrigerate the ganache for a couple of hours or overnight to allow it to thicken and develop flavor.
  5. Heat Milk: When ready to serve, heat 300g of your preferred milk to about 85°C (185°F), ensuring it is hot but not boiling.
  6. Combine and Blend: Add about 50g of the set ganache to the hot milk. Use a hand blender or regular blender to blend until smooth and slightly frothy, adjusting ganache quantity to taste for sweetness and richness.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Pour the hot chocolate into cups, and garnish with whipped cream if using, dustings of cinnamon and fresh orange zest, and an orange wedge for an elegant touch. Enjoy immediately.

Notes

  • Using a Microplane zester extracts the finest orange zest, enhancing flavor without large peel pieces.
  • Adjust the amount of ganache added to your cocoa for desired sweetness and intensity.
  • Oat milk is recommended to complement and not overpower the orange flavor, but any milk can be used.
  • Ganache can be made in advance and stored refrigerated for quicker preparation.
  • For a vegan variation, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream and ensure the white chocolate is dairy-free.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: French-inspired

Keywords: white chocolate hot cocoa, orange hot chocolate, almond paste cocoa, creamy hot chocolate, festive cocoa recipe, white chocolate orange ganache

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Find it online: https://mealmagicplace.com/white-chocolate-orange-almond-cocoa-recipe/