Grown-up Rich 'n' Thick Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 4 cups milk, divided
• 2 (3.5-oz.) dark chocolate bars (at least 70% cacao), chopped
• 1/2 cup Southern Comfort
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Marshmallow Whipped Cream (optional)

Preparation

1. 1. Whisk together cornstarch and 1/2 cup milk until smooth.
2. 2. Cook remaining 3 1/2 cups milk in a large, nonaluminum saucepan over medium heat until bubbles appear around edge of saucepan (about 4 minutes; do not boil). Whisk in chocolate, Southern Comfort, honey, vanilla extract, and salt until blended and smooth. Whisk in cornstarch mixture.
3. 3. Bring milk mixture to a light boil, whisking frequently (about 4 minutes). Remove from heat. Let cool slightly. (Mixture will thicken as it cools.) Serve immediately with Marshmallow Whipped Cream, if desired.
4. Note: For testing purposes only, we used Ghirardelli Intense Dark Twilight Delight 72% Cacao dark chocolate bar.