Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate with a Delicious Whipped Topping

The summer season will be coming to an end soon and evenings will begin to take a chill. Hot chocolate is perfect on those cool evenings, why not treat yourself to a warm beverage with one of your favorite flavors? Hot chocolate doesn't simply have to be milk chocolate. With a little creativity and a few ingredients you can liven up your drink with all of the flavors of fall. Pumpkin is a commonly used in fall decor but can also provide a tasty flavoring to many recipes. Hot chocolate lovers will adore this delicious beverage. You may want to double your portion!

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Yield: One Serving

Ingredients You Will Need
Hot Chocolate:

1 tablespoon of maple syrup
1 tablespoon of processed cocoa
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
1/2 cups of reduced fat milk
1/4 cup of pumpkin puree
Small pinch each of cloves, nutmeg and ginger

Maple Whipped Topping:

1/8 cup of heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon of maple syrup

Directions:
In a medium saucepan on your stove, whisk together your cocoa, pumpkin puree, syrup, spices and milk until thoroughly mixed. On medium heat, bring your ingredients to a point of steaming and pour into your favorite mug. In a separate small bowl, whisk together your maple syrup and heavy whipping cream until you've achieved a creamy texture with softened peaks. Top off your mug of freshly prepared hot chocolate with your maple whipping cream. To decorate your steaming beverage, top off your whipped cream with a small pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg.

Variation: If you desire marshmallows in your hot chocolate, top your coca with 1/4 cup of miniature marshmallows before accenting with your maple whipping cream.

This is a great recipe that you can enjoy alone or with your loved ones on those cool autumn nights. The pumpkin spice adds a great fall flavor that will not only warm your body but your season spirits as well.