Hazelnut Hot Chocolate

• 3 vanilla beans
• 9 cups whole milk
• 2-3/4 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
• 16 ounces bittersweet chocolate, divided
• 1/2 cup Nutella
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup hazelnut liqueur
• 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts, toasted
• Cinnamon sticks, optional

1. Split vanilla beans in half lengthwise. With a sharp knife, scrape the beans to remove the seeds. Set seeds aside; discard the beans.
2. In a large saucepan, heat milk and 3/4 cup cream over medium heat just until mixture comes to a simmer. Chop 15 ounces chocolate. In a large heat-proof bowl, combine the chopped chocolate, Nutella, sugars, salt and vanilla seeds. Pour warm milk mixture over chocolate mixture. Let stand for 1 minute.
3. Meanwhile, whip remaining cream and shave remaining chocolate. Whisk chocolate mixture until smooth; stir in liqueur. Serve with whipped cream, shaved chocolate and chopped hazelnuts. Garnish with a cinnamon stick if desired.

vanilla beans, milk, heavy whipping cream, bittersweet chocolate, nutella, brown sugar, sugar, salt, hazelnut liqueur, hazelnuts, cinnamon

Taken from www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/hazelnut-hot-chocolate/ (may not work)