Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Why you’ll love it

• Kid-friendly: fun to make and decorate together.
• Party-ready: easy to make ahead and share.
• Cute, not scary: perfect for school parties and trick-or-treat night.

Quick facts

Ingredients

• 4 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree (not pie filling)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• Pinch of salt
• 4 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Whipped cream, for topping
• Mini chocolate chips and orange sprinkles

Step-by-step method

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk the milk, pumpkin, sugar, cocoa, pumpkin pie spice, and salt until smooth.

2. Heat over medium, whisking often, until steaming with small bubbles at the edge, 6 to 8 minutes. Do not let it boil.

3. Remove from the heat. Add the chopped chocolate and vanilla and whisk until melted and smooth. For the silkiest texture, pour through a fine-mesh strainer.

4. Ladle into mugs and top with whipped cream. Press mini chocolate chips into the cream to make triangle eyes and a jack-o'-lantern grin, then add orange sprinkles.

Pro tip

For a party, triple the recipe and keep it warm in a slow cooker on LOW with a ladle, whisking now and then.

Make ahead

Refrigerate up to 3 days; rewarm gently, whisking.