Thick Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe

A white ceramic mug filled with hot chocolate, topped with a swirl of whipped cream and sprinkled with chocolate shavings. The mug sits on a matching saucer with chocolate shavings around it. In the background, there is another saucer with two spoons.
4.50 from 78 votes

This Italian hot chocolate is thick, smooth, creamy and warm. A full mug of rich hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings is the perfect way to start a wintry morning. If you have never tried Italian style hot chocolate (Cioccolata Calda), follow this easy recipe to learn how to make the best hot chocolate. This homemade hot chocolate is the ultimate comfort food!

A white ceramic mug filled with hot chocolate, topped with a swirl of whipped cream and sprinkled with chocolate shavings. The mug sits on a matching saucer with chocolate shavings around it. In the background, there is another saucer with two spoons.

Thick Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe

4.50 from 78 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
WORK TIME 20 minutes
DIFFICULTY Easy
Cuisine Italian
Servings 4 yields

Ingredients
 

  • 1½ cups 360ml Milk
  • 1-2 tablespoons Sugar
  • 1 tablespoon 8g Cocoa powder
  • 4 oz 115g Dark chocolate (70%)
  • 1-2 tablespoons 7.5-15g Cornstarch
  • Pinch salt
  • Whipped cream + cocoa powder/chocolate shavings for serving

Instructions
 

  • DIRECTIONS
    1. Chop the chocolate. Set aside.
    2. In a small bowl whisk 1/2 cup milk and cornstarch. Set aside.
    3. 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.
    4. Add chopped chocolate, turn the heat off and whisk for 2-3 minutes, until completely dissolved and thick.
    5. Pour into a mug, garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
    Notes:
    • 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.

Video

YouTube video
Nutrition information is automatically generated and thus we can not guarantee it is 100% accurate.

4 Comments

  1. Can you use milk chocolate instead of dark chocolate for the recipe?

    June 27, 2020
    1. The Cooking Foodie says:

      You can, but it would be much sweeter.

      June 29, 2020
  2. What kind of milk should i use?

    November 8, 2021
  3. I tried this recipe and it wasn’t thick at all. Do you have any idea why it wasn’t?

    December 5, 2022
4.50 from 78 votes (78 ratings without comment)

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