Chai-Spiced Hot Chocolate - cooking recipe

Ingredients

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

Preparation

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.
Meanwhile, whisk cream, remaining 1 tablespoon brown sugar, grated ginger, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla in medium bowl to peaks.
Strain hot chocolate. Ladle into 6 mugs. Top each with dollop of ginger cream.