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Italian hot chocolate is a rich and decadent treat. Also known as Cioccolata Calda, this Italian style hot chocolate is served thick for the ultimate chocolate lovers dream!
Hot chocolate in Italy is very different from traditional American hot chocolate. It's a very thick, pudding-like consistency that has a very rich taste and texture. Served in small cups, eaten with a spoon, this is more like a dessert, than a drink.
My favorite way to serve it is "con panna" which means with whipped cream on top. Similar to European drinking chocolate, Italian hot chocolate uses cornstarch as a thickening agent to make it more like a chocolate pudding.
This decadent Italian hot chocolate recipe uses simple ingredients for a delicious sweet treat in no time. Serve on a cold winter's day with biscotti or during the holidays with struffoli and ricotta cake.
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🍫 Ingredient notes
- Chocolate - Both unsweetened cocoa powder and dark chocolate are used in this recipe. I recommend using a good dark chocolate that is between 70-85% cocoa solids for the best richness and balance of sweetness. Dark chocolate with less than 70% cocoa solids will also work but may be a little less rich and have a more sweet flavor. Use milk chocolate for an even more mild, sweet version.
- Milk - Whole milk works best for this recipe and will give you the best hot chocolate. Use 2% or skim milk, but the chocolate drink will have a thinner consistency and less rich flavor.
- Cornstarch - This thickening agent gives the hot chocolate a pudding-like consistency. Use potato starch as an alternative if needed.
📋 Substitutions and variations
- Dairy-free - Replace the whole milk with dairy-free milk. Depending on the type of milk, the hot chocolate will have a less rich flavor. Make sure your chocolate is dairy-free as well.
- Flavors - Stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract or a ½ teaspoon of almond or peppermint extract. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy version of this Italian-style hot chocolate.
- Toppings - Add whipped cream, chocolate shavings, a caramel drizzle, or mini marshmallows.
🥣 Step by step instructions
First, heat the whole milk in a small saucepan or pot on the stovetop over medium heat. Once you see bubbles form on the surface, reserve 2 Tablespoons of the milk and set it aside in a small bowl.
Sift the cocoa powder and sugar into the milk on the stove and whisk, while cooking until the sugar is completely melted and the cocoa powder has absorbed.
Add the cornstarch to the reserved milk mixture and stir until it is all combined. Add the cornstarch and milk mixture to the pot with the other ingredients and whisk together.
Let the mixture simmer while whisking until it starts to thicken. Remove from the heat and whisk in the chopped chocolate until it is completely melted.
Serve the rich chocolate drink in an espresso cup, topped with freshly whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
If you ever don't recognize a tool or skill that is mentioned, be sure to look it up in our Glossary of Cooking Terms and Definitions for more information.
⭐ Expert tips
- Make sure to heat the milk just until you see bubbles form on the surface, otherwise, it will burn.
- Sift the cocoa powder and sugar directly into the milk so you don't get any lumps that are difficult to mix in.
- Make sure to mix the cornstarch with a little bit of the heated milk. It's easier to dissolve in warm milk and will mix in better with the hot chocolate.
- Remove the hot chocolate from the heat while whisking in the chocolate so it does not burn.
⏲️ Make ahead and storage instructions
This thick Italian hot chocolate recipe is great to make ahead. Cool the hot chocolate and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. It can then be warmed up on the stovetop in a pan or pot over low heat. Add a little bit of milk to help it become creamy again, if necessary.
🍰 More chocolate dessert recipes
If you loved this Italian hot chocolate recipe, check out these other decadent chocolate desserts that I know you will love too!
Recipe
Rich and Decadent Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 Tablespoon cornstarch
- 4 ounces dark chocolate, 70-85%, chopped
- Whipped cream, for garnish, if desired
- Chocolate shavings, for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Heat the whole milk in saucepan over medium heat until bubbles start to form on the surface and steam starts to rise over the milk.
- Take 2 Tablespoons of the warmed milk and reserve it in a small bowl off to the side.
- To the warmed milk on the stovetope, sift in the sugar, cocoa powder and salt. Whisk until they are dissolved into the milk.
- Whisk the cornstarch into the reserved milk in the bowl and then whisk it into the chocolate mixture.
- Continue to whisk and cook for 1-2 minutes until the mixture starts to thicken, then remove from the heat.
- Add the dark chocolate and continue to whisk until it is all melted and smooth.
- Serve immediately in small cups with a spoon, with toppings, if desired.
Notes
- Chocolate - Use a good dark chocolate between 70-85% cocoa solids for the best richness and balance. Dark chocolate with less than 70% cocoa solids will work, but will be less rich and more sweet flavor. Use milk chocolate for an even more mild, sweet version.
- Milk - 2% or skim milk can be used but will make it thinner and less rich. Unsweetened dairy-free milk and dairy-free chocolate can be used to make the hot chocolate dairy-free.
- Cornstarch - Substitute with potato starch, if needed.
- Flavors - Stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon of almond or peppermint extract, or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Toppings - Add whipped cream, chocolate shavings, a caramel drizzle, or mini marshmallows.
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