John’s Classic Drinking Chocolate

Recipe by: Robert Steinberg, John Scharffenberger | from Essence of Chocolate: Recipes for Baking and Cooking with Fine Chocolate

Cookstr

Course: Beverage, Dessert

Total Time: Under 15 Minutes

Skill Level: Easy

Cost: Moderate

Photo by: Joseph De Leo

Everywhere I go–the bookstore, the farmers’ market, every single cocktail party—people ask me, “What’s your favorite dessert?” I hate the question, because people expect me to say a mile-high chocolate cake or something really ornate. Instead, I like to make really good, thick hot chocolate and serve it at the end of a meal. I use my favorite demitasse cups, and place a few slices of a perfect pear or two pieces of shortbread on the plate next to the cup. That’s my favorite dessert. During the holidays, I add rum or brandy and serve it instead of eggnog.

Personally, I’m not a fan of cinnamon or other spices in hot chocolate, because I think it diverts attention from the chocolate’s flavor, but for an authentic Mexican-style chocolate, add the cinnamon and cayenne.

Yield: Serves 6 to 12

INGREDIENTS

2½ cups whole milk
4 ounces 99% unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)

Directions

Heat the milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat until it is hot to the touch. Whisk in the chocolate and sugar and continue whisking for 1 to 2 minutes until the sugar has dissolved. Whisk in the vanilla and the cinnamon and cayenne, if using. Reduce the heat to low. The chocolate may be made ahead; it will thicken as it sits.

Serve in demitasse cups or mugs depending on desired portion.

Notes

For a lighter, airy consistency, remove the hot chocolate from the heat and mix with a hand blender on low speed just before serving. Or make ahead and use the frother of an espresso machine to reheat it. Individual servings can also be topped with frothed milk.

This can be made up to 3 days ahead and refrigerated, but if you use the spices, keep in mind their flavor intensifies over time.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

This recipe serves 12.

Calories 101kcal (5%)

Calcium 69mg (7%)

Vitamin C 0mg (0%)

Vitamin A 23mcg RAE (1%)

Potassium 146mg

Magnesium 36mg

Protein 3g

Sugar 8g