Heart and Soul Hot Cocoa

Ingredients

• Cocoa powders to consider are E. Guittard
• Droste
• Hersheys
• Scharffen Berger
• orby far my favoriteValrhona.
• 3/4 cup sugar
• or more
• 1/2 cup unsweetened alkalized or dutched cocoa powder
• or more to taste
• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons malt syrup (optional)
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• Artisan marshmallows or whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix the sugar and cocoa together in a small bowl and set aside.
2. Combine the milk, cream, and malt syrup in a big saucepan over medium heat.
3. As the milk starts to warm up, scoop up about a cup of it and slowly whisk it into the sugar and cocoa mixture to form a paste.
4. Add the paste to the saucepan and whisk until incorporated.
5. Add the vanilla and salt.
6. Adjust the flavors to taste.
7. Continue heating until it is hot but not boiling.
8. Use a ladle to scoop out servings into a mug.
9. Serve with artisan marshmallows or a dollop of whipped cream.