I recently saw mention of the perfect hot chocolate recipe and a quick Google returned a whole load of recipes to use. I've combined the basic ingredients to perfect my own mixture which has gone down a treat in this house.

You'll need:

• whole milk (enough for each person)
• drinking chocolate (I use Galaxy Bubbles which gives a frothy, bubbly finish)
• 1/4 small bar of chocolate (either plain or milk; plain chocolate tastes richer, milk chocolate is creamier)
• 1tsp vanilla bean paste
• 1tsp cornflour
• small marshmallows (my one hypocritical act as a vegetarian; can't find veggie marshmallows anywhere!)
• squirty cream
• saucepan
• balloon whisk
• grater

1. Heat the milk slowly in a saucepan with 2tsp of drinking chocolate per 200ml of milk whisked in, continue to whisk as the milk heats through on the lowest setting.
2. Grate in most of the chocolate and whisk it into the milk, slowly allowing it to melt in.
3. Add the vanilla bean paste and stir it through.
4. Mix the cornflour in a separate pot with a small dribble of milk until it forms a white liquid and add to the milk mixture, slowly whisking in.
5. Pour into the mug, stopping an inch below the surface.
6. Place a layer of marshmallows on top of the hot chocolate; this creates both a surface for the squirty cream to sit on, and the heat of the chocolate melts the marshmallows directly.
7. Squirt cream over the top, decorate with marshmallows and grate a small amount of chocolate over the top for garnish.