Classic Hot Chocolate - Ingredients:

Hot Chocolate:
• 2 1/4 cups milk
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup loosely packed cocoa powder

• 3/4 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup half & half
• 2 oz chocolate (dark or white)
• 1 Tlbs brown sugar ("Sugar In The Raw")
• 1/2 tsp vanilla

Place the milk, water and sugar in a saucepan set over medium heat, and stir well. Bring mixture to a boil, then add the chocolate and cocoa, and bring just to a boil again, whisking continuously. Turn the heat to the lowest setting after the chocolate and cocoa are dissolved.
Blend hot chocolate with an immersion blender until thick and aerated, about 5 minutes. Pour into mugs and serve hot.

OR

Place the milk, vanilla and sugar in a saucepan set over medium heat, and stir well. Heat mixture to just prior to a boil, then reduce heat and add the chocolate stirring continuously until chocolate melts. Turn the heat to the lowest setting after the chocolate is dissolved and simmer fro 10 minutes, whisk until smooth.
Remove from heat and let stand for 5 minutes.
Reheat and whisk as necessary.

Serves 1.

Peppermint Whipped Cream:
• 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• 6 hard peppermint candies, crushed fine
• 2/3 cup whipping cream

Beat chilled cream with crushed mints until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate for about an hour.