Description
Indulge in the rich and velvety experience of Italian Hot Chocolate (Cioccolato Caldo), a decadent drink made from high-quality dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and creamy milk. Perfect for warming up on chilly days, this traditional Italian recipe results in a luscious, thick hot chocolate that can be elegantly garnished with chocolate shavings or whipped cream.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 ounces dark chocolate (70-74%), finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cups 2% milk
- Chocolate shavings and/or whipped cream (optional), for garnish
Instructions
- Get ready: In a small bowl, combine finely chopped dark chocolate, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and a small pinch of kosher salt, mixing them well. In another small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of the milk until smooth and set aside.
- Melt the chocolate: Pour the remaining 1 3/4 cups of milk into a medium saucepan and heat over medium-low heat until it nearly simmers, observing for small bubbles forming around the edges. Slowly add the chocolate mixture to the milk while stirring continuously with a wooden spoon or heat-proof spatula until the chocolate melts completely and the blend becomes smooth, which takes about 4 minutes.
- Add the slurry: Gradually whisk in the milk and cornstarch mixture into the saucepan, stirring constantly. Continue cooking and stirring for about 1 minute until the hot chocolate thickens to a creamy, luscious consistency.
- Let cool: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the hot chocolate to cool slightly for 5 minutes. If a skin forms on top, whisk gently to smooth it out.
- Serve: Pour the thick and rich Italian hot chocolate into heat-proof cups or mugs. Optionally, garnish with chocolate shavings and/or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent touch. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- Ensure to use high-quality dark chocolate with 70-74% cocoa for the richest flavor.
- Stir constantly when adding the cornstarch slurry to avoid lumps and ensure smooth thickening.
- The drink can be adjusted in thickness by modifying the amount of cornstarch used.
- Use heat-proof cups to safely serve this hot beverage.
- For a vegan version, substitute 2% milk with almond or oat milk.
- Serve immediately as the hot chocolate thickens further when cooled.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Italian hot chocolate, cioccolato caldo, dark chocolate drink, rich hot chocolate, traditional Italian beverage, creamy hot cocoa
