"brown paper packages tied up with string... these are a few of my favorite things!"

hot chocolate recipe
found in "apples for jam" by tessa kiros

2/3 cup chopped best-quality semisweet chocolate
2 cups milk
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon confectioners' sugar
unsweetened cocoa powder or ground cinnamon, to serve

heat the chocolate and milk in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon so it doesn't catch. bring it to just below boiling point and whisk with a wire whisk to make sure it is completely smooth.

meanwhile, whisk together the cream and confectioners' sugar until quite thick but not stiff - just dense enough to sit on top of the hot chocolate.

pour the hot chocolate into cups and gently spoon the cream over the top, dropping it first onto the back of a spoon and letting it slide onto the top of the chocolate. sieve a tiny amount of coca powder or cinnamon (i highly recommend the cinnamon) over the top and serve at once. makes enough for two.

warm your little hearts with this tasty treat and have yourselves a merry little christmas. loves, lin