hot chocolate balls

I know the South-African winter has come to an end, but for those of you in the Northern hemisphere, these are for you for now! :-) They are something different and decadent.

what you need: (this makes about 3 - 4 balls)
160 - 200g (about 2 slabs) chocolate (dark or milk or one of each)
1/2 cup of cream
pinch of salt
teaspoon of vanilla essence
cocoa powder to roll balls in
sticks (optional)

Break the chocolates into small pieces and put in a double boiler.  I use a glass mixing bowl that fits onto a pot, then boil water in the pot and the heat of the water then melts the chocolate.

Add the cream, salt and vanilla essence, and keep on stirring the mixture.  You'll see that the chocolate looks like it doesn't want to melt at first, but keep on stirring and you'll see that it becomes a smooth mixture.

Once everything is melted and well mixed remove from the heat for about 10 min.  Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for two to three hours, until mixture is smooth and scoopable.

Use a desert spoon and scoop big blobs of the chocolate ganache onto a wax paper lined baking sheet, and place in the freezer for about 15 min.

Roll the balls into circles using your hands, but work fast so that your hands don't melt the mixture. Then roll in the cocoa, and push a ice cream stick in. You can use the ice cream stick to stir the hot chocolate with.

When done cover with plastic to keep or serve immediately with boiling hot milk. When you put the chocolate ball into mug with hot milk, stir until everything is mixed well.

To store them you can freeze the balls till you need them.

Sure you'll enjoy this one!