Dulce de Leche Hot Chocolate Pods

Just drop one of these rich hot chocolate pods in hot milk, stir and get ready to sip your way to comfort on any chilly night. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Prep: 20 min. + chilling • Cook: 5 min. Makes: 28 servings (2 per pod)

24 oz. 53% cacao dark baking chocolate or semisweet chocolate, chopped

1 can (13.4 oz.) dulce de leche (see tips below)

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Gold colored sugar and gold pearl dust, optional

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENT (FOR EACH POD) 11/2 cups whole milk

1. Place chocolate in a large bowl.

In a small saucepan, bring dulce de leche and cream just to a boil, stirring constantly. Pour over chocolate; whisk until smooth.

2. Spoon 1/4 cup chocolate mixture into each of 14 paper-lined muffin cups; if desired, sprinkle with gold sugar. Refrigerate until firm, about 8 hours. If desired, brush with gold dust. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

3. To prepare hot chocolate: Bring

11/2 cups milk just to a boil; add one pod. Whisk until dissolved.

Per serving: 289 cal., 17g fat (10g sat. fat), 28mg chol., 100mg sod., 30g carb. (26g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g pro.

Test Kitchen tips:

• This recipe was tested with Nestle La Lechera dulce de leche; look for it in the international foods section.

• If using Eagle Brand dulce de leche (caramel flavored sauce), thicken according to the package directions before using.