Thursday, February 25, 2021

Mocha Magic #Chocolate #Giveaway


From Mary Jane Maffini


On a trip to Italy two years ago we encountered an excellent blend of coffee, chocolate, sugar and cream.  This a simple and yet delicious combination, seemed right for a Mystery Lovers Kitchen post, especially as February is apparently National Chocolate Lovers Month and in MY mind every month is for coffee lovers.  Put 'em together, add cream and mmmm.  After a winter Sunday exploring a country building lot with deep snow and buried logs,  it seemed like the right time to try to duplicate this mocha drink. It wasn’t the same as our Italian find, but boy, was it good. Let’s just say it hit the spot for all of us and someone suggested it was magic.   I have had a lot of fun this week 'testing' this very easy recipe a few more times. 








Easy Mocha Magic

Ingredients:









1/3 cup good quality cocoa (we used Penzey’s)

¼ cup sugar or equivalent granulated sugar substitute

1 ½ cups milk (we used two percent only because that’s what we had)

1 cup strong coffee (it can be Italian style or your regular version)

1/8 cup Brandy or rum (optional)

2/3 cup whipping cream

1 tsp vanilla

Makes 4 small cups or 2 mugs. Easy to double, triple or even ...

Directions:

Make strong coffee. Keep hot.

Whip cream with vanilla. Put aside.

Heat milk until steaming.  

Combine cocoa and sugar in a bowl.

Add cocoa, sugar, coffee and brandy (if using ) to very hot milk frothing with a whisk. 

Warm mugs.  Add mocha mixture to mugs and top with whipped cream.

How easy was that?  It passed the son-in-law and husband test.  Just to be sure I made it again in the middle of the week without the brandy because I have edits.  I think you could have more coffee and less cocoa or more cocoa and less coffee. More sugar, less sugar.  You can’t really go wrong.  How would you change it?  I always love getting feedback from you so please pop in to enjoy the conversation.  

As a fun extra, I am having a giveaway for my most wintery book: The Icing on the Corpse: a Camilla MacPhee mystery.  Just leave a comment below and don't forget to include your email addy.





Mary Jane Maffini is the award-winning author of three and a half mystery series: the Camilla Maffini mysteries, the Fiona Silk capers and the Charlotte Adams mysteries – number six coming soon!  The Charlotte Adams books have recently been optioned for television films. Details to come when they can be made public. With her daughter Victoria Maffini, MJ collaborated on The Book Collector Mysteries as Victoria Abbott. Victoria Abbott spent several happy years on Mystery Lovers Kitchen. MJ  is very glad to be back and Victoria is waving at you all!   Get to know MJ a bit better IN THIS INTERVIEW 


Don't forget to check out MJ's Canadian books:  Camilla MacPhee features a fortyish widowed lawyer who runs an advocacy agency for victims of violent crime, in Ottawa, Canada's capital city. Life would be easier if she didn't have the world's worst office assistant, the world's bossiest sisters and, arguably, the world's greatest stubborn streak. If you like your mysteries a bit edgy with a side order of humor, these could be for you.  


Keep up on the news!  You can sign up for updates about MJ and Victoria plus fun and prizes through our newsletter HERE 

28 comments:

  1. The recipe looks so good! Will have to give it a try. Thanks for the giveaway! You are a new author to me.

    jarjm1980@hotmail.com

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  2. Thanks for coming by! And good luck. Cheers, MJ

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  3. I don't like anything to mess up my coffee too often, but sometimes sugar, chocolate and whipped cream - I LOVE whipped cream - are just the thing! Yummy and cozy, thanks.
    sallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. What a delectable and enticing beverage which is delightful. I would avoid the liquor but otherwise it is perfect. Such a treat for the winter. So soothing. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. You can’t go wrong with chocolate and coffee
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  6. I think that a drink like this would cure my ills, especially during cold weather. It would be ideal. Thanks. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  7. Sometimes it is nice to mix a bit of cocoa into my coffee but I have never tried it this way. It sounds yummy.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  8. This recipe sounds delicious. Will make it soon.

    Thanks, Mary

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  9. Ah, MJ, you are a kindred spirit!
    When we lived up north I would fix "adult" hot chocolate for my husband and me after playing in the snow with the kids or shoveling. The addition of coffee (whether brewed or powdered espresso) just ups the chocolate flavor.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  10. I'm always up for caffeination, MJ, and your Mocha Magic sounds divine. A delicious way to add a little light to this dark winter.

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  11. Looks yummy. I'm not much for coffee but I absolutely love hot chocolate, so I'd add the more cocoa.
    kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  12. Your recipe looks amazing! I'm definitely going to try it. A good drink for the winter season, or any time of the year.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  13. I will definitely be trying this out! I do love hot chocolate, and a new adult version sounds wonderful!!!

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  14. Yum, I've always loved mocha anything. Nowadays I'd have to make mine decaf, but dh would probably go with espresso! Looks delicious and so warming. Yes, bring on the whipped cream, lol.
    lola777_22 at hotmail dot com

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  15. Oh I wish I liked coffee. I love the smell of coffee brewing, just don't like the taste. I'll just have to make the hot chocolate version of this & leave out the coffee.
    turtle6422 at gmail dot com

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  16. I have to try this for my husband. I think it sounds so yummy.
    1cow0993(at)gmail(dot)com

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  17. Sounds delicious - great way to warm up after walkways and driveway are cleared of snow.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

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  18. mmm. Hot chocolate and coffee. sounds great.
    wskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  19. Love the combo of hot chocolate and coffee! Thanks for the chance!
    Jess
    maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  20. Enjoy a good cup of hot chocolate. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

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  21. This sounds like a fun and interesting mystery book. I would love to read it!

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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  22. You had me at Mocha! Sounds like a yummy recipe, can't wait to try it. tracy.condie@gmail.com

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  23. Can't wait to try the recipe. 😋
    Thanks for sharing.
    Denise, dlc1228@gmail.com

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  24. Thanks everyone for coming by! Stay warm and caffeinated. Hugs. MJ

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  25. Love hot drinks this time of year! Thanks for the chance! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

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  26. Thanks for the recipe, sounds good! tWarner419(at)aol(dot)com

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  27. Looks great and easy! JL_Minter@hotmail.com

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