thick & rich coconut hot chocolate

the day after jessica posted this recipe for slow cooker coconut hot chocolate i went out and bought the ingredients. and then they sat on my counter for a week before i was able to make it. luckily, one thursday morning, the baby took a nice long nap, and instead of cleaning up the mess of toys on the floor, i made hot chocolate.

as excited about making this hot chocolate, i was also a bit apprehensive. i was afraid blending chocolate and coconut would be too strong on the coconut and not have enough chocolate. i was surprised to be wrong. there is a definite coconut flavor, but it isn't strong or overpowering. without telling jason, the self-professed coconut hater, there was coconut in it, he tried it and liked it.

thick & rich coconut hot chocolate
adapted from how sweet eats
15 minutes, makes 5 cups

this makes a very thick hot chocolate. for a thinner version, whisk in about 3 1/2 cups of milk to the finished hot chocolate. i suggest adding the milk a cup or so at a time to get it to the consistency you like.

2 13 ounce cans coconut milk
14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch salt

1. place all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium low heat. whisk frequently until the mixture is smooth. serve. store cooled leftovers in the refrigerator.