‘Tis the season to cozy up with a good book, warm blanket, and a cup of hot chocolate. This year, step up your hot chocolate game with a festive twist on this classic wintertime treat by Kayleigh Kosmas of ohhoneyblog.com. Made with Stash Black Forest Black Tea, every sip is infused with the subtle flavor of cherry. Stir in some melted chocolate for an extra creamy, super rich texture and top with tea-infused whipped cream for a treat sure to help get you through these cold and blustery days. Enjoy!

Black Forest Hot Chocolate

(recipe courtesy Kayleigh Kosmas, ohhoneyblog.com)

INGREDIENTS

For the hot chocolate:

6 bags Stash Black Forest Black Tea
2 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
generous pinch of salt
1 ounce milk chocolate, finely chopped
1 ounce semisweet chocolate, finely copped

For the whipped cream:

6 bags Stash Black Forest Black Tea
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon sugar

DIRECTIONS

For the hot chocolate:

Preheat oven to 325˚ F.

Heat the milk in a pot over medium low heat, submerging the tea bags, until the milk is very hot but not quite simmering. Remove from heat and steep 20 minutes. Discard tea bags.

Whisk in the cocoa powder, sugar and salt. Whisk constantly until completely dissolved. Whisk in the chocolate, whisking occasionally until melted and smooth. Stir in the vanilla, taste, and adjust salt, sugar and chocolate to taste.

Optional: transfer to a high speed blender and blend on high until frothy. Serve immediately with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder.

For the whipped cream:

Heat the cream in a pot over medium low heat, submerging the tea bags, until the cream is very hot but not quite simmering. Remove from heat and steep 20 minutes. Discard tea bags and chill until very cold. Add sugar and whip until the cream holds soft peaks.

Top off your hot chocolate with the whipped cream and enjoy!

For more recipe ideas from Stash Tea, visit https://www.stashtea.com/blogs/recipes