Chai-Spiced Hot Chocolate

Submitted by elisechristiane

"To crack the spices, place in a resealable plastic bag and tap with a rolling pin. I haven't made this recipe yet, but I found it on Bon Appetit's website and decided to put it on here so I can make it during the winter."

 

• Ready In: 25mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Serves: 6

ingredients

• 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

directions

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.

Reviews

[Sydney Mike]

I cut this recipe in half for just the 2 of us, but other than that, it was followed right on down & we had a wonderful chocolate fix! I little more time consuming then I usually do for something like this, but it was well-worth it, & worth repeating, too, I might add! Thanks for sharing this great recipe! [Made & reviewed for one of my adopted chefs in this Spring's Pick A Chef]

 

[Annacia]

This is the second hot chocolate that I have added to my Favorites of 2014 during this PAC round. I used Splenda in place of the brown sugar. As I was only making one mug I just put the bittersweet chunks (more than ask for :D) along with the milk and all ask for spices (but in ground form - the gingers remained as ask) so that I wouldn't need to strain the mix and microwaved for 30 sec intervals stirring after each. The liquid cream I just added to the mug at the start of the last 30 sec heating. OK. the method may have lacked fineness but it certainly didn't lack body, flavor or soul satisfaction. This is an all round keeper for me. Made for PAC, Spring 2014.