White Hot Chocolate

Steps

1. Pour the milk and cream into a medium saucepan and set it over medium heat. Warm it for 6 to 9 minutes, stirring now and then, until steam rises and small bubbles show at the edge. Do not let it boil.
2. Take the pan off the heat. Add the white chocolate and let it sit for 1 minute so it softens.
3. Whisk until the chocolate melts completely and the drink is smooth, about 1 minute. Whisk in the vanilla and salt.
4. Whisk hard for 20 seconds, or use a milk frother, until foamy. Pour into mugs.
5. Spoon whipped cream on top, scatter with crushed candy canes or a pinch of nutmeg and serve right away.

Good to know

• Buy white chocolate with cocoa butter in the ingredient list. White baking chips and candy coating often use other fats, and they can melt thick or grainy.
• For a peppermint cup, whisk in 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract with the vanilla. For warm spice, add a cinnamon stick or 4 crushed cardamom pods to the hot milk, let it stand off the heat for 10 minutes, strain it and bring it back to steaming before you add the chocolate.
• To hold it for a party, pour it into a slow cooker on the warm setting and whisk every so often. Leftovers keep in a covered jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Rewarm gently and whisk well.
• For a lighter cup, use 4 cups whole milk and leave out the cream.