Cinnamon Bun White Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

2 cups whole milk
2 cinnamon sticks, coarsely broken
4 ounces good-quality white chocolate, chopped
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract pinch salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Optional garnishes:
2 tablespoons lightly whipped cream
2 tablespoons toasted pecans or candied pecans, chopped
1 tablespoon caramel sauce

 

Directions:

Mix the milk and the broken cinnamon sticks in a saucepan and bring the milk to a simmer.

Once simmering, remove the pan from the heat, cover it with a lid, and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to infuse the milk with cinnamon flavor.

After 30 minutes, remove the cinnamon sticks and return the saucepan of milk to medium heat.

Add the chopped white chocolate, brown sugar, vanilla bean paste, salt, and ground cinnamon. Heat, whisking frequently, until the milk is hot and the white chocolate is completely melted.

Pour into two mugs to serve. Garnish with your choice of whipped cream, additional cinnamon, toasted or candied pecans, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. (Or all of the above!)