Print

Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 94 reviews

This rich and velvety Italian Hot Chocolate recipe offers a luxurious and comforting drink perfect for chilly days. Made with whole milk, high-quality dark chocolate, and a touch of vanilla, it’s thickened with cornstarch to achieve a luscious, creamy texture that’s deeper and more indulgent than typical hot chocolate.

Ingredients

Scale

Milk Mixture

  • 4 cups whole milk
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar

Chocolate and Thickening

  • 3.5 oz. dark chocolate (60% cocoa), chopped into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Flavoring

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Reserve Milk: Set aside ½ cup of the whole milk to prepare the cornstarch slurry later in the recipe.
  2. Heat Milk Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the remaining 3 ½ cups of milk, salt, unsweetened cocoa powder, and granulated sugar. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until the mixture is almost simmering.
  3. Melt Chocolate: Add the chopped dark chocolate to the warm milk mixture and stir continuously until the chocolate has fully melted and incorporated.
  4. Prepare Cornstarch Slurry: To the reserved ½ cup of milk, add the tablespoon of cornstarch. Stir thoroughly until the cornstarch is completely dissolved, ensuring there are no lumps.
  5. Thicken Hot Chocolate: While the chocolate mixture is still simmering, slowly pour in the cornstarch slurry, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue cooking and stirring for 1-2 minutes until the mixture thickens to a creamy consistency.
  6. Finish and Serve: Remove the saucepan from the heat, stir in the vanilla extract for added aroma and flavor, then serve the Italian Hot Chocolate immediately while warm and luscious.

Notes

  • Use good-quality dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa content for the richest flavor.
  • Constant stirring is key to avoid burning or clumping, especially when melting chocolate and adding the cornstarch slurry.
  • This hot chocolate is thicker than regular hot chocolate, similar to a drinking chocolate, perfect for spoons or sipping slowly.
  • For a dairy-free option, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk, though texture may vary slightly.
  • Adjust sugar amount based on personal preference or type of chocolate used.

Keywords: Italian hot chocolate, drinking chocolate, rich hot cocoa, dark chocolate beverage, creamy hot chocolate

Find it online: https://kitchenwithkai.com/italian-hot-chocolate-recipe/