Classic Hot Chocolate

Make a deliciously creamy and rich mug of hot chocolate to warm you up.

Serves: four 1/4 cup servings 

Prep Time: 1 min, plus about 10 min cooling

Cooking Time: 5 min

Total:  15 min

Ingredients

1 cup milk, plain soy milk or almond milk
4 oz. semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces
1 tsp. confectioners' sugar
pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, heat milk over medium-low heat. Stir frequently as not to burn.
2. When the milk begins to simmer, add chocolate, sugar and cayenne pepper, stirring until chocolate has melted and desired consistency is reached.
3. Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  This will allow the chocolate and sugar to slightly crystallize.
4. Reheat over low and serve immediately garnished with whipped cream or mini marshmallows.

Recipe from Michael Turback's Hot Chocolate (2005, p.33).