Chai-spiced Hot Chocolate

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 4 cups low-fat milk (1%)
• 3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
• 10 cardamom pods, coarsely cracked
• 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice, cracked
• 2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 5 tablespoons packed golden brown sugar, divided
• 6 quarter-size slices fresh ginger plus 1/2 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
• 1/2 cup chilled whipping cream

Recipe

• 1 combine first 6 ingredients, 4 tablespoons brown sugar, and ginger slices in medium saucepan. bring almost to simmer, whisking frequently. remove from heat; cover and steep 10 minutes. mix in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
• 2 meanwhile, whisk cream, remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar, grated ginger, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl to peaks.
• 3 strain hot chocolate. ladle into 6 mugs. top each with dollop of ginger cream.