Healthier Hot Chocolate

The trick to making this hot chocolate is to embrace the French style of creamy hot chocolate instead of the American method. Stateside we tend to make hot chocolate by mixing dried cocoa powder and sugar with milk. But in France they make it my melting real chocolate and vigorously combining it with hot milk. To make this at home I melt chocolate squares with a drop of peppermint extract and whisk the silky chocolate syrup right into the steaming hot milk. Then I serve it up in a bowl wrapped with a dishtowel to prevent burned fingers (!) This year we are taking this special drink right over the top by garnishing it with a candy cane. It is up to you whether you want to do that or not. Either way you’ll love the cozy look and feel of this favorite drink. Not only is it perfect for the holidays, it is just the thing for over-the-top birthday celebrations.

To make this hot chocolate better for you, remember to get real dark chocolate! The closer you get to unprocessed cacao, the healthier t is for you!


Ingredients

• 2 cups 2% milk (use whole milk if you want it richer)
• 5 ounces dark chocolate (about 60% cocoa or higher), very finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 2 or 3 drops Peppermint extract
• 1 pinch salt

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan over medium heat bring the milk to a simmer and stir occasionally until steaming, but not boiling. Do this for 10 minutes.
2. Stir in the chocolate, sugar, extract, and pinch of salt and continue to stir over medium heat until the chocolate is completely dissolved. As the chocolate begins to dissolve completely whisk the mixture to create some foamy froth.
3. Pour into cups and enjoy!