Thick Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe
This Italian hot chocolate is thick, creamy, and rich. Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, Cioccolata Calda is the ultimate comfort drink for a cozy winter day! It’s quick, easy and delicious!
This is a recipe for a thick Italian-style hot chocolate. If you prefer the simpler American version, check out my easy hot chocolate recipe, or if you want to spice things up, try the Mexican-style hot chocolate.
Video Recipe
Watch the full video recipe to learn how to make the best thick Italian hot chocolate. This step-by-step tutorial simplifies the process, offering tips and tricks to guarantee perfect results every time.
Prefer the written recipe? Scroll down to the recipe box! 👇
Why You’ll Love Italian Hot Chocolate
Italian hot chocolate, or Cioccolata Calda, is a rich, thick, and creamy treat that’s like dessert in a mug. Made with simple ingredients like dark chocolate, it’s perfect for chilly days. Whether enjoyed as a cozy drink or an indulgent dessert, its silky texture and customizable sweetness make it unforgettable. Once you try it, regular hot chocolate won’t compare!
- 🌟 Rich and creamy texture: Perfectly thick and indulgent.
- 🍫 Made with real dark chocolate: A luxurious treat.
- ❄️ Cozy and comforting: Ideal for winter mornings.
- ⏱️ Quick and easy: Ready in just minutes!
- 🎉 Customizable: Adjust sweetness and thickness to your taste.
- 📈 Tried and trusted: Foolproof recipe tested by thousands and watched over 2.4 million times on YouTube—truly the best hot chocolate recipe in the world!
How to Make Thick Hot Chocolate
1. Mix the Base: Whisk milk and cornstarch in a small bowl to create a smooth mixture. This is the secret to achieving thick hot chocolate.
2. Heat the Milk: Combine milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan. Heat gently until it simmers, enhancing the rich flavors.
3. Add Chocolate: Stir in chopped dark chocolate and whisk until completely melted and creamy.
4. Serve: Pour the thick, Italian-style hot chocolate into a mug and top with whipped cream or chocolate shavings for a cozy treat.
🤫 The Secret to the Best Hot Chocolate
The secret to the best hot chocolate lies in its rich texture and bold flavor. Using high-quality dark chocolate, with at least 70% cocoa, creates a deep, luxurious taste that elevates every sip. Thickening the drink with cornstarch gives it that signature velvety consistency, making it more indulgent than regular hot chocolate. Balancing sweetness with just the right amount of sugar ensures it’s not overpowering, while a pinch of salt enhances the chocolate’s natural richness. These simple steps transform a classic drink into the ultimate cozy treat.
Italian Hot Chocolate vs. American Hot Chocolate
Italian hot chocolate (Cioccolata Calda) and American hot chocolate offer two very different experiences. Here’s how they compare:
- 🇮🇹 Italian Hot Chocolate:
- Texture: Thick, creamy, almost pudding-like.
- Key Ingredients: Dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and cornstarch for richness.
- Flavor: Intense, rich, and luxurious.
- Experience: More of a decadent dessert than a drink.
- 🇺🇸 American Hot Chocolate:
- Texture: Thin and milky.
- Key Ingredients: Cocoa powder and sugar, often mixed with water or milk.
- Flavor: Sweet and mild.
- Experience: A simple, comforting everyday drink.
Both are delicious, but Italian hot chocolate is the ultimate treat for indulgence!
How to serve
This thick hot chocolate is a treat on its own, but thoughtful garnishes can elevate it further. Here are some ideas:
- Classic Style: Top with whipped cream and sprinkle cocoa powder or chocolate shavings for a timeless finish.
- Marshmallow Version: Add a handful of mini marshmallows on top and toast them lightly with a kitchen torch for a gooey, caramelized twist.
- Festive Flair: Drizzle caramel or sprinkle cinnamon for extra warmth, or top with crushed peppermint for holiday cheer.
- Pairing Ideas: Serve alongside biscotti, cookies, or croissants for a café-inspired indulgence.
Common Questions
It’s best served fresh, but you can reheat it gently on the stove, adding a splash of milk to restore the creamy texture.
Absolutely! Try adding vanilla extract, orange zest, or a dash of cinnamon for a unique twist.
Yes! Simply double all the ingredients, keeping the cooking times the same. Perfect for serving a crowd.
You can, but it will be sweeter and less rich. Dark chocolate (70%) is recommended for the best flavor.
Thick Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups (360 ml) Milk
- 1-2 tablespoons Sugar
- 1 tablespoon (8 g) Cocoa powder
- 4 oz (115 g) Dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids)
- 1-2 tablespoons (10 g) Cornstarch
- Pinch salt
- Whipped cream + cocoa powder/chocolate shavings for serving
Instructions
- Chop the chocolate. Set aside.
- In a small bowl whisk 1/2 milk and cornstarch. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan place the rest of the milk with sugar, salt and cocoa powder. Bring to a simmer, reduce the heat to low, add the cornstarch mixture, whisk until combined and cook for 3-4 minutes.
- Add chopped chocolate, turn the heat off and whisk for 2-3 minutes, until completely dissolved and thick.
- Pour into a mug, garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Video
Notes
- Watch the Video: For a better understanding of the recipe, I always recommend watching the video recipe, which includes a step-by-step guide to help you succeed.
- FAQs: Make sure you read the FAQs for this recipe which are located above the recipe box for additional tips and troubleshooting! For extra tips and variations read the article.
- In this recipe I used only one tablespoon of cornstarch. For a thicker consistency you can use 2 tablespoons. It’s totally up to your preference.
- You can control the sweetness of the hot chocolate by adding more or less sugar.
Can you use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate for the recipe?
You can, but it would be much sweeter.
What kind of milk should i use?
I tried this recipe and it wasn’t thick at all. Do you have any idea why it wasn’t?
Made it last year couple of times, and now made it again.
My kids love it!
Thank you for the recipe.