Fireside Comfort & Cocoa (Printable)

Rustic platter featuring aged cheeses, dark chocolate, fruits, nuts, and a creamy hot cocoa for cozy moments.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz aged cheddar, cut into large, irregular chunks
02 - 5.3 oz aged gouda, broken into wedges
03 - 5.3 oz blue cheese, crumbled or chunked

→ Chocolate & Sweets

04 - 4.2 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher), broken into pieces
05 - 3.5 oz chocolate-covered almonds
06 - 2.8 oz chocolate-dipped dried figs
07 - 2.1 oz chocolate truffles

→ Accompaniments

08 - 1 small baguette, sliced
09 - 2.8 oz roasted walnuts or pecans
10 - 1 pear, sliced
11 - 1 apple, sliced
12 - 2 tbsp honey

→ Hot Cocoa

13 - 2 cups whole milk
14 - 3.5 oz dark chocolate, chopped
15 - 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
16 - 1 tbsp sugar, adjust to taste
17 - Pinch of salt
18 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
19 - Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
20 - Shaved chocolate, for garnish (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Place aged cheddar, gouda, and blue cheese on a large wooden board, maintaining rustic, irregular pieces for a hearty appearance.
02 - Cluster dark chocolate pieces, chocolate-covered almonds, chocolate-dipped figs, and truffles on the board for visual contrast.
03 - Surround cheeses and chocolates with sliced baguette, roasted nuts, and fruit slices. Serve honey in a small bowl for dipping.
04 - Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. Stir in chopped dark chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk until smooth. Remove from heat and mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Pour hot cocoa into mugs and optionally top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.
06 - Serve the arranged platter alongside the hot cocoa for a comforting fireside experience.

# Tips from the Pros:

01 -
  • It feels completely indulgent yet takes barely 25 minutes from start to finish, making you look like a culinary genius with minimal effort
  • The contrast between creamy aged cheeses, silky hot cocoa, and rich dark chocolate creates this beautiful dance of flavors that surprises your palate every time
  • It's naturally vegetarian and endlessly customizable, so you can swap in your favorite cheeses or chocolates without guilt or complication
02 -
  • Don't let the milk boil vigorously before adding chocolate—it can create a thin, grainy cocoa instead of the silky texture you're after. Steaming and whisking is your best friend here.
  • The salt in cocoa isn't about making it taste salty; it's about brightening and deepening the chocolate flavor so it doesn't taste flat or overly sweet. It's counterintuitive but absolutely essential.
  • Aged cheese tastes better at room temperature, so consider removing it from the cold about 15 minutes before serving if possible. The flavors bloom and become more inviting when they're not chilled.
03 -
  • Arrange your board just before serving when possible. If you must build ahead, cover it loosely with plastic wrap and keep it in a cool place; it will look fresher and the cheese flavors will be more vibrant when it hasn't been sitting exposed for hours.
  • If you're making cocoa ahead for a group, gently reheat it on the stove with a whisk rather than in the microwave, which can make it grainy and thin. Low and slow is the only way to maintain that silky quality.
  • Toast your baguette slices under the broiler for just 30 seconds if you want them crispy enough to hold up to cocoa dunking without falling apart—this is the secret professionals know that home cooks often miss.
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