Frozen Hot Chocolate with Baileys

I'm officially on spring break!  Woo!  Finally!  Time to relax and take it easy right?  NOPE.  I wish that were the case.  I have so much planned for this break, it's kinda crazy.  I didn't go away anywhere, but I am home for a few days, meaning that I have lots of baking projects planned out (they are perfectly organized on a sticky note and a massive last minute ingredient shopping list has been made) and I'm really excited to tackle that list. Aside from my ambitious baking plans, I also need to get a decent amount of work done for my independent research project and my portfolio, the deadline for which, is rapidly approaching. Oh boy...

Regardless of how much I am somehow supposed to get accomplished for school during spring break, I'm definitely most excited for the baking part of my days off.  I have such great things planned, and the three other recipes I've managed to prepare and photograph in the day I've been home...let's just say I'm very excited to get to share them with you in the coming days!  But first things first.  This frozen hot chocolate with Baileys is something you should definitely make soon, especially since St. Patrick's day is coming up this weekend!  The recipe was inspired by David Lebovitz's recreation of Serendipity's Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, which is seriously one of the best frozen drink creations I've ever had.  If you haven't had a chance to stop by Serendipity 3 yet, you should definitely put it as a destination point on your list of things to do in NYC!  It might be a little cliche and overdone, but I love it, almost as much as I loved this version of their frozen hot chocolate. 

David Lebovitz suggests making this drink with a little Kahlúa, but since I love the Baileys and St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner, Baileys seemed like the most appropriate choice.  Feel free to use Kahlúa if you prefer that, or switch in a different flavor, or leave the alcohol out entirely if you don't drink alcohol or are planning on serving this to kids.  With or without the Baileys, this drink is delicious, and beyond easy to make. Simply blend everything together, pour into glasses, and top off with whipped cream.  This frozen hot chocolate has an intense chocolate flavor  with a hint of Baileys at the end.  It's the perfect grown-up version of a classic childhood favorite.  Enjoy!

Frozen Hot Chocolate with Baileys
recipe adapted from David Lebovitz

Ingredients

3/4 cup milk, divided
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
4 ounces semisweet chocolate (chopped or chips are fine)
3 scoops chocolate ice cream (about 1 1/2 cups)
2 tablespoons Baileys (adjust to taste)
1 1/2 cups ice cubes

whipped cream and chocolate shavings, for serving

Directions

In a small saucepan, heat 1/2 of the milk with the cocoa powder, just until it begins to boil.  Remove the saucepan from the heat, and add the semisweet chocolate, stirring until they are melted and smooth.  Set the mixture aside, and allow for it to come to room temperature. 

In a blender, combine the chocolate milk mixture, the remaining 1/4 cup milk, ice cream, Baileys, and ice cubes, and blend until completely smooth.  Divide the iced chocolate into two glasses, and top with fresh whipped cream and chocolate shavings, if desired.  Enjoy!

Makes 2 large drinks