Recipe - Frozen Hot Cocoa Balls

{from my cooking blog, Simple Farmstead Cooking}

These are little balls of chocolate that are just sitting in your freezer waiting to be added to a cup of hot milk. A perfect gift idea or just to make up and have on hand for an instant hot chocolate fix.

The recipe calls for all semi-sweet chocolate chips.  This will make the firmest cocoa balls.  I, however, tend to use half milk chocolate and half semi-sweet.  The balls don't form as firmly {see below} but I enjoy the flavor.

Frozen Hot Cocoa Balls
makes 10 chocolate balls

1 - 12 oz. bag {2 cups} of semi-sweet chocolate chips  {or a mixture of milk chocolate and semi-sweet}
1 c. heavy cream
1/4 t. salt

In a microwave-safe bowl, microwave the chocolate, cream and salt, in 45 second intervals, until melted.  Stir at the end of each interval until the chocolate is completely melted.  Should take about 2 minutes.

Refrigerate the mixture in a shallow dish until firm, about 2 hours.  {*If you're using half milk chocolate and half semi-sweet, but the mixture in the freezer for 2 hours rather than the refrigerator*}

Roll 3 T. of the chocolate mixture into 10 - 2 inch balls.  Individually wrap each in plastic wrap, transfer the wrapped balls to a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 2 months.

When ready to use:  combine 1 unwrapped chocolate ball and 1 c. milk in a large mug.  Microwave at 45 second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth, about 2 minutes total.  Serve.