SERENDIPITY'S FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE WITH WHIPPED CREAM

When my daughter, Libby, was a nanny in New Jersey, she became acquainted with SERENDIPITY'S.   This 56-year old ice-cream parlor, one of the finest in New York, is famous for their FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE.   She made sure that any friends or family visiting her made the short jaunt into New York so they could partake of this decadent wonder!  When Serendipity's turned 50 years old in 2004, they shared their recipe on Good Morning America--what better way to celebrate than giving all of us one of its best loved treats!  Now we can all enjoy it right from our cozy homes on these cold days of winter.  I promise you, you won't be disappointed with this frozen dessert with real whipped cream, enjoyed with either a spoon or a straw.  NOTE:  I think it's best to use high quality chocolates and chocolate mix.  If you're going to make it, it might as well be with the BEST!

SERENDIPITY'S FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE WITH REAL WHIPPED CREAM

6 half-ounce pieces of a variety of your favorite chocolates

2 teaspoons store-bought hot chocolate mix

1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

1 1/2 Cups milk

3 Cups ice

Whipped cream

Chocolate shavings

Chop the chocolate into small pieces and place it in the top of a double boiler over simmering water, stirring occasionally until melted.

Add the cocoa 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 daiquiri.  Pour into a giant goblet, or two large ones, and top with whipped cream piled high.  Sprinkle with chocolate shavings.  Eat or drink immediately.  Yum!

WHIPPED CREAM

1 Cup heavy cream, very cold

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/1/2 Tablespoons light corn syrup

Combine the cream and vanilla and mix well.  With an electric mixer with a whisk attachment, start whipping the cream on medium speed.  Add the corn syrup slowly while beating.  Whip until the cream holds a soft peak.  Slather, drop, dollop, or pipe high onto the frozen hot chocolate in the goblet.  Top with chocolate shavings.

This makes 2 to 2 1/2 Cups whipped cream, enough for 1 to 8 persons, depending on if you feel like sharing!