Martha Stewart's Ultimate Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

Serves 4

* 4 cups milk
* 1 cinnamon stick, 6 sprigs fresh mint, or 2 split vanilla bean (optional)
* 10 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate, cut into small pieces
* Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
* Chocolate shavings (optional)

Directions

1. Heat milk to scalding in a medium saucepan. Add cinnamon, mint, or vanilla, if desired. Let steep 10 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; strain, and return to saucepan. Reheat milk; using a whisk, stir in chocolate until melted and milk is frothy. Serve immediately with a dollop of whipped cream garnished with chocolate shavings, if desired.

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