Unique Places to Visit – Chocolate Museum in Köln (Cologne), Germany

When we visited Köln during our time in Germany, we decided to take a tour of the Schokoladen Museum (Chocolate Museum). The museum is situated right on the Rhine river in the Rheinau Harbour next to old town and not far from the cathedral. The three story building is shaped like a large ship with floor to ceiling windows providing wonderful views of the river and city. Lindt is the official chocolatier of the museum and the highlight of the tour is tasting and buying the freshly made chocolate. There is even an opportunity to create a personalized chocolate bar with nut and candy toppings and fillings chosen by you.

Candy Bar Station
Candy Bar Tree and View of the Rhine River
Working Factory

The self-guided tour takes you through the history of chocolate making with displays that contain the machines and molds that were used in the 1800’s to the modern era. The museum itself is a working chocolate factory where you can watch the process from beginning to end. There are a variety of spectacular chocolate creations to admire throughout the museum.

Chocolate Angel
Old Chocolate Press
Making Chocolate
Topping and Filling Choices

Obviously, it is great place to visit with children with all of the moving objects, chocolate displays, and sweets to eat, but it is fun for adults as well. A small botanical garden with cocoa trees and a replica of an old-time chocolate store add to the museum’s charm. There is also a restaurant on-site where you can sit and enjoy a nice meal while watching the boats that make their way along the river.

Whimsical Creations
Botanical Garden
Chocolate Store
Entrance Sign

All of the information provided in the museum is in both English as well as German, making it friendly for tourists as well as locals. If you have a couple of hours and want to do something indoors, the Chocolate Museum is certainly a worthwhile destination. You may just have to keep your sweet-tooth in check, otherwise you might end up leaving with a month’s supply of chocolate delights.

Chocolate Creations
Sweet Delights
Storefront

Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps

There is something so comforting about having a nice warm drink on a cold winter day. The combination of peppermint schnapps and hot chocolate is often called a “Snuggler” because of the warm hug that it gives to your inner body. We first had this in Aspen, many years ago and it is definitely one of our favorite winter drinks. Schnapps is not a particularly strong alcohol, so it is definitely a drink that you don’t need to feel guilty about having. The pairing of hot chocolate and peppermint is obviously a delicious one and this will definitely put a smile on your face. We added some peppermint bark (dark chocolate, white chocolate, and peppermint… yum). We originally shared this recipe four years ago, but we decided it was time to share it once again. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Make Your Own Whipped Cream

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 cups Whole Milk (2% or skim, your preference)
  • 6 tbsp Cocoa Powder
  • 4 to 6 tbsp Peppermint Schnapps
  • 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 1 tbsp Granulated Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Confectioner Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract

Hot Chocolate

INSTRUCTIONS

Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat (do not bring to a boil). Whisk in the cocoa powder until it is thoroughly mixed. In a cold bowl, combine the whipping cream, sugars, and vanilla extract. Whip until soft peaks form. Pour the hot chocolate and schnapps into a mug and top with whipped cream. Serves 2.

Snuggler with Whipped Cream

Whipped Cream Topping

Snuggler with Peppermint Bark

 

 

Snugglers – Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Schnapps

Backyard During the Storm

Its called a snuggler because it is like a warm hug for your tummy. We’re not sure what is about winter and schnapps, but we have wonderful memories of skiing with schnapps in a camelback.  Back then they were horn-shaped leather bottles that we slung over our shoulders while were skiing.  Over the last couple of days, we’ve been watching the snow pile up, almost two feet in total, so we needed something warm to cheer us up after all of the snow shoveling.  We first had this in Aspen, many years ago and it is definitely one of our favorite winter drinks.  The pairing of hot chocolate and peppermint is obviously a delicious one and this will definitely put a smile on your face.  We added some peppermint bark (dark chocolate, white chocolate, and peppermint… yum).  We hope you enjoy them.

Snuggler

Ingredients

  • 2 cups Whole Milk (2% or skim, your preference)
  • 6 tbsp Cocoa Powder
  • 4 to 6 tbsp Peppermint Schnapps
  • 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 1 tbsp Granulated Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Confectioner Sugar
  • 1 tbsp Vanilla Extract

Snuggler with Peppermint Bark

The Next Day

Instructions

Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat (do not bring to a boil).  Whisk in the cocoa powder until it is thoroughly mixed.  In a cold bowl, combine the whipping cream, sugars, and vanilla extract.  Whip until soft peaks form.  Pour the hot chocolate and schnapps into a mug and top with whipped cream.  Serves 2.

Hot Chocolate

Whipping Cream

Creamy Whipped Cream