Hot Chocolate:
2 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
8 cups whole or 2% milk
6 to 8 teaspoons sugar (according to taste)
2 pinches of salt
8 cinnamon sticks
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
For Serving:
1 pint heavy cream, whipped
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1. In a medium sized saucepan, combine chocolate, milk, sugar, and pinch of salt. Heat over medium flame, stirring constantly until chocolate is completely melted and sugar is dissolved, about 10 to 12 minutes (be careful not to scald or boil the milk).
2. Lower heat and add cinnamon sticks and ground cinnamon. Simmer for 15 minutes until milk is very hot and cinnamon has had time to marinate with the chocolate. Meanwhile, prepare the whipped cream.
3. Pour heavy cream into a medium sized mixing bowl and using an electric mixer or egg beater, whip until cream forms stiff peaks.
4. Remove hot chocolate from the heat and using a whisk, beat in vanilla extract for about one minute until chocolate appears well blended and “smooth”.
5. Pour melted hot chocolate into coffee cups and serve each with one of the cinnamon sticks from the pot, adding a dollop (or two!) of whipped cream, if desired.
Yield: Serves 8 to 12
