Luxurious and Creamy Lindt Hot Chocolate

When it comes to warming winter beverages, hot chocolate is my top choice. This recipe is a more luxurious version of an every day cocoa, it's made with Lindt pralines and fine cocoa powder. The texture is creamy, thick and richer than an average hot chocolate drink.

It's a lazy recipe, all you have to do is throw everything in a pot and cook for a few minutes.

For one mug of hot chocolate:

2 teaspoons corn starch

1-2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons good quality, pure cocoa powder

pinch of salt

pinch of cinnamon

4-5 Lindt pralines (milk or dark chocolate)

2/3 cup whole milk

2 tablespoons heavy cream

+ 2 tablespoons Baileys for an alcoholic version

Whipped cream and mini marshmallows to serve.

Cooking utensils:

Heavy bottom saucepan

Whisk

Sieve

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and heat on the stove (medium-high heat) while whisking continuously. It won't take more than 5 minutes. You have to whisk it all the time to prevent the starch and sugars from burning and sticking to the bottom. You can take the drink off the stove when all chocolate pieces are melted, sugar is dissolved and corn starch has thickened the mixture.

If you are making an alcoholic version, add Baileys at this time and whisk it in.

Pour the drink through a sieve and into a jug or directly into a mug. Decorate with marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings.