Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate Recipe -

This chai spiced hot chocolate recipe is a spicy warming drink for cold weather! From my new cookbook! Checkout my other cookbooks here.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 10 min Serves: 4

Ingredients

4 cups whole milk

4 oz dark chocolate, chopped (or high-quality chocolate chips)

2 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tbs honey or maple syrup

1 tsp ground ginger

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground cardamom

1/8 tsp ground cloves

Pinch of ground black pepper

Pinch of sea salt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Whipped cream for topping

Garnish: cinnamon sticks

Directions

In a small bowl, add the ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper. Stir to combine well.
In a saucepan, add the milk and bring to medium heat. Stir occasionally to prevent skin from forming on top.
Heat the milk for 5 to 7 minutes, until steam rises and small bubbles form around the edges. Do not let it boil.
Reduce heat immediately if bubbles rapidly form across the top of the milk.
When milk is hot, sprinkle in the chai spice mixture and whisk vigorously for 1 minute to mix well with the milk.
Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat, whisking occasionally.
Sprinkle in the unsweetened cocoa powder and whisk continuously for 1 minute until cocoa is dissolved completely.
Turn the heat down to low and add the chopped dark chocolate. Whisk continuously for 2 minutes until the chocolate has melted.
The milk should be smooth and glossy.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Add the honey or maple syrup and whisk until combined well.
Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and top with whipped cream. Garnish with a cinnamon stick and serve.