Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and Orange Zest

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A comforting hot chocolate infused with warming cinnamon and topped with fluffy whipped cream and bright orange zest for a festive twist. This French-inspired Christmas recipe, ready in about 12 minutes, brings together whole milk, semi-sweet chocolate chips, ground cinnamon for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 2, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 7 min Serves 2 French cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, warm 2 cups whole milk until steaming but not boiling, about 3-4 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to low and whisk in 4 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon until chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy, about 2 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 1 tsp vanilla extract, then pour hot chocolate into mugs.
  4. Step 4: In a chilled bowl, whip 1/2 cup heavy cream with 1 tbsp powdered sugar until soft peaks form, about 2-3 minutes using a hand mixer.
  5. Step 5: Spoon a generous dollop of whipped cream on top of each mug of hot chocolate and sprinkle with 1 tsp finely grated orange zest for a bright, festive finish.

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