Real Hot Chocolate

Name: Real Hot Chocolate
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: 475 ml (2 cups) whole milk (or your preferred milk); 85 g (3 oz) dark chocolate (60-70% cacao), finely chopped; 1 Tbsp sugar or honey (adjust to taste — the chocolate provides most of the sweetness); ½ tsp vanilla extract; Pinch of fine sea salt; Pinch of cinnamon or cayenne (optional); Whipped cream for topping (optional)

Not the powdery, watery stuff from a packet. This is melted chocolate in hot milk — rich, thick, and serious.

Ingredients

475 ml (2 cups) whole milk (or your preferred milk)

85 g (3 oz) dark chocolate (60-70% cacao), finely chopped

1 Tbsp sugar or honey (adjust to taste — the chocolate provides most of the sweetness)

½ tsp vanilla extract

Pinch of fine sea salt

Pinch of cinnamon or cayenne (optional)

Whipped cream for topping (optional)

Method

Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming (don't boil).

Add the chopped chocolate and whisk continuously until completely melted and smooth, about 2-3 minutes.

Add the sugar, vanilla, salt, and any spices. Whisk until combined.

Pour into mugs. Top with whipped cream if desired.

*Storage:** Leftover hot chocolate can be refrigerated for 2 days and reheated. It will thicken — thin with a splash of milk.

Why We Made This

We started Gathered Guides because making things from scratch shouldn't require a culinary degree. This book is for anyone who's ever looked at a $7 jar of pesto and thought: I can do better. You can.

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