Serendipity's Frozen Hot Chocolate

This recipe is a favorite recipe from Serendipity's in New York City.

6 (1/2 oz each) pieces of your favorite chocolate

2 tsp. store-bought hot chocolate mix

1 1/2 T. sugar

1 1/2 cups milk

3 cups ice

Whipped cream (recipe below)

chocolate shavings.

Chop the chocolate into small pieces and place it in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring occassionally until melted. Add the hot chocolate mix and sugar, stirring constantly until thoroughly blended. Remove from heat and slowly add 1/2 c. of the milk and stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

In a blender, place the remaining cup of milk, the room temperature chocolate mixture, and the ice. Blend on high speed until smooth and the consistency of a frozen slushy. Pour into a giant goblet or glass and top with whipped cream and shavings. Makes one very large serving.

Whipped Cream: Combine 1 c. very cold heavy cream wtih 1 ts. vanilla extract and mix well. With an electric mixer, start whipping the cream on medium. Add 1 1/2 T corn syrup slowly while beating. Whip until the cream holds soft peaks.

Rich Coffee Punch

This punch was served at a family member's church event and they have raved and raved about how good it was. I have not personally tried it but everyone has been talking about it so I got the recipe.

2 c. coffee, double strength and refrigerated
1/2 gallon vanilla ice cream, softened
1/2 pint whipping cream (the real kind, not cool whip or a spray)

Make coffee the night before (or at least several hours before) and refrigerate. Combine coffee, ice cream and whipping cream.

This recipe makes one gallon of punch so you can adjust the measurements as needed.

Pina Colada Punch

This is a very dear friend's "secret" punch recipe. I have never had party punch as tasty as this. Somehow we were given this recipe along the way and use it at every shower and event. It is worth the extra time taken.

3/4 c. powdered lemonade mix (Wylers or Minute Maid)
2 c. sugar
1 (46 oz) can pineapple juice
1 1/2 c. cream of coconut
4 tsp. coconut flavoring
sprint

Mix ingredients except Sprite in a gallon container. Add enough water to make a gallon. Freeze in 2 ziploc bags for 2 days. Defrost one hour before serving and add 1 2-liter of sprite or 7-up per frozen bag. Should be slushy. INCREDIBLE!

Spiced Cranberry Cider

I love to make this in the Fall time. It's always a crowd pleaser and the aroma that it gives my house is wonderful! I like to make it on Halloween night and during the Thanksgiving season.


1 Qt apple cider
1 Qt cranberry juice drink
1/4 Cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 tsp. whole cloves
2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks
1 small lemon, thinly sliced

*Bring first 6 ingredients to a boil in a dutch oven, stirring often
*Reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes
*Discard spices and lemons
*Garnish if desired

(I discard the spices, but I like to leave the lemons in the mixture, because it tastes so good with the fresh lemon and it's pretty!).