Warm Orange Almond Cocoa (Print Version)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - Unwaxed orange zest
02 - Fresh vanilla bean pod
03 - Rich heavy cream
04 - Fine almond paste
05 - Top-quality white chocolate (minimum 30% cocoa butter)
06 - A dash of ground cinnamon
07 - Warm milk for serving

→ Optional Garnishes

08 - Thin orange zest strips
09 - Slivered almonds
10 - A sprinkle of cinnamon
11 - Soft whipped cream

# Instructions:

01 - Grab a small pan and toss in the heavy cream, grated orange zest, scraped vanilla pod (even the shell), and a dash of cinnamon. Heat it gently till it's about to boil, take it off the heat, cover it, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
02 - Cut the white chocolate into fine pieces and place them in a heat-safe bowl. Sprinkle in bits of almond paste on top of the chocolate.
03 - Pour the cream through a sieve to filter out the orange zest and vanilla pod. Put the cream back into the pan and slowly heat until it's about to bubble.
04 - Pour the hot infused cream over the almond paste and chocolate mix. Rest it for a minute, then stir slowly until it turns silky smooth. If needed, warm it over a pot with gently steaming water to melt any stubborn bits.
05 - Let the ganache sit at room temp till it's cool. Pop it into a sealed container if you're not using it right away. It'll keep fresh in the fridge for up to 7 days.
06 - Heat a cup of milk until it's steaming but not boiling. Mix in 3-4 tablespoons of the ganache and whisk until it's smooth and fully blended.
07 - Pour the cocoa into your favorite mug, then top it with whipped cream, orange zest strips, slivered almonds, or a touch of cinnamon—your call!

# Notes:

01 - Prepare the ganache ahead; keep it in the fridge for a week so you can whip up rich hot cocoa anytime.
02 - Only go for white chocolate with at least 30% cocoa butter—it makes a huge difference in taste and texture.
03 - Unwaxed oranges are essential. The natural oils in fresh zest give the best flavor.
04 - Ditch vanilla extract for whole vanilla pods. They're juicier and bring a deep, complex taste.
05 - Pick almond paste, not marzipan. Marzipan has too much sweetness, which can overpower the mix.

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