The Best Hot Chocolate

Makes 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:

3 cups whole milk
1 cup half-and-half cream
¼ cup good-quality Dutch-process cocoa powder
½ cup sugar
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preparation:

Place milk and half-and-half in a saucepan and heat to a simmer over medium heat.

Meanwhile, stir together the cocoa powder, sugar and cinnamon. A few teaspoons at a time, stir enough hot milk into the cocoa mixture to make a smooth paste. Scrape cocoa mixture into saucepan with the milk and simmer 2 minutes; do not let it boil. Stir in vanilla.

Pour into small serving cups and place 4 mini-marshmallows on each serving, or spritz them with whipped cream. Serve immediately.

Gale Gand