Spiced Hot Chocolate with Vanilla

Ingredients:

500 ml whole milk
2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp dark chocolate, chopped
1 tbsp soft brown sugar or maple syrup
1 cinnamon stick
A pinch of ground nutmeg
A pinch of ground cloves
1 tsp vanilla extract
Mini marshmallows, to serve
Ground cinnamon, to finish

Method:

• Pour the milk into a saucepan and add the cinnamon stick. Warm gently to infuse.
• Whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar until smooth.
• Add the chopped chocolate and stir slowly until melted.
• Sprinkle in the nutmeg and cloves, allowing the spices to bloom gently.
• Remove from the heat, discard the cinnamon stick and stir in the vanilla extract.
• Pour into mugs, top with marshmallows and dust lightly with cinnamon.