Vanilla Chai Tea

(Courtesy of Taste of Home)

Ingredients:
8 whole peppercorns
1/2 tsp. whole allspice
2 cardamom pods
1 cinnamon stick (3 inches)
4 whole cloves
8 individual tea bags
1 Tbsp. honey
4 c. boiling water
2 c. 2% milk
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
1 1/2 tsp. confectioners' sugar
Ground allspice


Directions:
Place the first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; with the end of a wooden spoon handle, crush spices until aroma is released.  Add the tea bags, honey and boiling water.  Cover and steep for 6 minutes.


Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat milk.  Strain tea into heatproof pitcher; stir in milk and vanilla.


In a small bowl, beat whipping cream and confectioners' sugar until soft peaks form.  Serve individual servings of tea with whipped cream; garnish with ground allspice.


Makes 6 servings.