Chai-Spiced Hot Chocolate

• 4 cups low-fat (1%) milk
• 3/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips
• 10 cardamom pods, coarsely cracked
• 1/2 teaspoon whole allspice, cracked
• 2 cinnamon sticks, broken in half
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 5 tablespoons (packed) golden brown sugar, divided
• 6 quarter-size slices fresh ginger plus 1/2 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
• 1/2 cup chilled whipping cream

1. Combine first 6 ingredients, 4 tablespoons brown sugar, and ginger slices in medium saucepan. Bring almost to simmer, whisking frequently. Remove from heat; cover and steep 10 minutes. Mix in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla.
2. Meanwhile, whisk cream, remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar, grated ginger, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl to peaks.
3. Strain hot chocolate. Ladle into 6 mugs. Top each with dollop of ginger cream.

lowfat, bittersweet chocolate chips, cardamom pods, whole allspice, cinnamon sticks, freshly ground black pepper, golden brown sugar, quarter, vanilla, chilled whipping cream

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/chai-spiced-hot-chocolate-357251 (may not work)