How to Make Café con Leche with Chocolate Spoons

I have to admit that at times I’m so obsessed with interiors that I forget about all the other quirky ideas floating around in my head. Today I have a really cool one to show you. No, it's not home decor, but it addresses the other subcategory of this blog which is chic, small space entertaining.

To make it interesting, I’ve done it in the form of a Pinterest challenge. You will recall that last month I used this challenge to give a dull lampshade a cheap but hip makeover. If you missed that post click here to get the scoop.

Today I’m sharing with you a twist on an old favorite: Café con Leche.

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Truth be told I don’t even like the taste of coffee.  But about 17 years ago a friend from Guatemala invited me to her home for dinner.  During the visit, she offered me something called café con leche.  At first, I declined.

When she kindly told me it contained chocolate, however, I was intrigued.  I'm a firm believer that chocolate makes everything taste better.  So I caved in to her second request.  She poured a bit of the mysterious concoction into my cup.  I took a sip and straightaway I was hooked!

You see this hot beverage is more about the milk, chocolate and sugar than it is about the coffee. Yay me! 

Fast forward a few years.   While surfing Pinterest I came across several pins about chocolate covered spoons.  They were so pretty.   "Sure", I thought, "I could make these for my coffee-loving guests, but how will I get them to actually use them?"  Immediately I thought back to the "education" I received from my dear Guatemalan friend.  Here's my spin on this Spanish classic.   

How to Make Chocolate Spoons for Café con Leche

Ingredients

• 2c Semi-sweet chocolate chips (halved and split into 2 bowls)
• 1/2c White chocolate chips
• 1-2 tsp Shortening*
• 1/4c Instant coffee
• 1c Almond milk (can also use whole or 2% milk)
• An assortment of spoons
• Toffee bits (optional)
• Sugar (to taste)
• *Shortening helps to smooth the chocolate.  If the chocolate does not melt evenly, just add a bit more.

Instructions  (total time 25 minutes) 

1. Arrange three bowls to create your chocolate mixtures.
2. Fill 2 bowls with 1c of semi-sweet chocolate chips, and 1 bowl with 1/2c of white chocolate chips.
3. Combine the first bowl of semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 tsp of shortening.  Place in microwave for 30-second intervals until the chocolate produces a smooth ribbon-like flow. 
4. Make sure chocolate has a ribbon-like flow BEFORE moving to the next step.
5. Add 1/4c instant coffee to the smooth warm chocolate and fold in.  Consistency will be thick and gritty.
6. Top off each spoon with the coffee/chocolate mixture.  Place spoons in the fridge to set for 5 minutes.
7. In the second small bowl combine the second cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips with 1 tsp of shortening.  Place in microwave for 30-second intervals until the chocolate produces a smooth ribbon-like flow.   (Do the same with the white chocolate)
8. Remove spoons from the fridge and coat spoons with the warm semi-sweet chocolate from the 2nd bowl.  
9. IMPORTANT:  After each coat of warm chocolate, the spoons must be returned to the fridge to allow the mixture to set for 5-10 minutes. 
10. Use the melted white chocolate to drizzle designs onto the chocolate spoons.  Get creative with it!

Optional:  Add toffee bits to the wet chocolate for an even more delicious experience for your guests.  Keep in mind when choosing embellishments that toffee dissolves - nuts do not.   

Visual learners, please see the photo collage below. 

Trust me when I say it LOOKS  a lot more complicated than it really is.   But if you're getting overwhelmed, now is a great point to stop and get your bearings.  

The final step is to bring your favorite kind of milk (almond, whole or 2%) to a boil over the stove and pour it into your favorite mug.  Add a bit of sugar and slowly stir with your chocolate spoon.  Et voila! 

Sources List

My plan is to cover the tops of the spoons with clear bags and tie them on a ribbon.  I'll then give them away as gifts to a few of my friends.  It's a low cost, fun project that will wow any guest!  

I'd love to get your thoughts  on this simple treat.  Please feel free to leave a comment below. 

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