Spiced Hot Chocolate Recipe
Warm up your winter evenings with this rich and aromatic spiced hot chocolate recipe. Perfectly crafted to be cozy and comforting, it blends the warming spices of cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon with smooth cocoa and a hint of vanilla. Ideal for sharing with family or friends, this delightful beverage will make any cold day feel like a special occasion. Gather your ingredients, and let’s create a hot chocolate that’s as luxurious as it is heartwarming. ❄️🍫
Ingredients
- 6 cups milk 🥛
- 3/4 cup brown sugar 🧂
- 15 cardamom pods
- 12 whole cloves
- 2 cinnamon sticks 🌰
- 2 star anise
- 3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
- 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 🌶️
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder 🍫
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract 🌟
Instructions
-
Simmer the Spices and Sugar
In a large saucepan, combine the milk, brown sugar, cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise, ground coriander, ground nutmeg, and crushed red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the sugar has fully dissolved and the spices begin to release their fragrant aromas. This should take about 5 minutes. 🌟 -
Blend and Infuse Flavors
Once the mixture is simmering, remove the saucepan from the heat. Let the flavors meld together by allowing it to steep for about 20 minutes. This step is crucial for developing the rich, spiced profile of the hot chocolate. 🕒 -
Incorporate Cocoa and Vanilla
After the steeping time has elapsed, whisk in the cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Return the saucepan to a gentle simmer, stirring continuously until the cocoa powder is fully integrated and the mixture is smooth and creamy. 🌰🍫 -
Strain and Serve
Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl or measuring jug. Pour the spiced hot chocolate through the strainer to remove the whole spices and any remaining bits of cardamom or clove. This will ensure a silky smooth texture for your hot chocolate. 🍶 -
Enjoy!
Divide the hot chocolate into 6 cups, and serve immediately while it’s still warm. For an extra touch, you might top each cup with whipped cream or a sprinkle of additional ground nutmeg or cinnamon. ☕️✨
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 274.5 kcal
- Fat: 9.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 34.2 mg
- Sodium: 131.5 mg
- Carbohydrates: 41 g
- Fiber: 1.8 g
- Sugar: 26.7 g
- Protein: 9 g
Cook Time: 26 minutes
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 31 minutes
Recipe Yield: Serves 6
Keywords: Kosher, Winter, Less than 60 Minutes, Stove Top
Whether you’re enjoying a quiet evening by the fire or hosting a cozy gathering, this spiced hot chocolate is sure to warm your soul and delight your taste buds. From the comforting embrace of the cinnamon to the subtle heat of the red pepper flakes, each sip is a celebration of winter’s best flavors. Cheers to a cup of pure bliss! ☕️🌨️
