16. Whipped Cream (with a little hot chocolate on the side)

An essential base for fruit, an exceptional topping for pie, or just to elevate your hot chocolate to the next level, this is one must memorise recipe that will get you points every time.

Whipped Cream

For cream:

250g cream (35%), cold

60g mascarpone cheese

30g icing sugar

half a vanilla pod

For hot chocolate (1 serving):
200g milk
45g dark chocolate, finely chopped
pinch of salt

Scrape vanilla seeds, add to a bowl with remaining ingredients and whisk for 2-3 minutes until stiff. Serve in large dollops. Keeps well in the fridge for 2-3 days. To refresh, add a dash more cream and whisk again until stiff.

For the hot chocolate: bring your milk to a boil, pour over your chocolate and whisk. Add your pinch of salt. Top with a generous dollop of whipped cream.