Italian Hot Chocolate is a mug full of creamy deliciously thick Hot Chocolate, made with real chocolate and milk, the ultimate Comfort Food.
When my kids were little they would ask me to make Hot Chocolate and so I would, it was easy! Little did I know that they really wanted the kind their friends’ were drinking.
When they got a little older and we would go shopping together, they would take me down the aisle where it was located or call me in the room when the commercial came on the TV.
I bought it, made it and tasted it and I thought Wow, this isn’t half bad! Thick, creamy and chocolatey.
How to Make Italian Hot Chocolate
- In a small bowl whisk until smooth, 1/4 cup milk and cornstarch set aside.
- Sift the cocoa into a medium bowl then add the sugar and whisk together, set aside.
- In a small/medium pot heat 3/4 cups + 1 tablespoon milk until boiling reduce heat to low, start whisking and add the milk/cornstarch mixture then add the cocoa mixture slowly while continually whisking until smooth.
- Then add the chocolate pieces and whisk continuously for approximately 3 minutes. Serve immediately.
I had no idea that the Italians knew how to make a better Hot Chocolate too! Isn’t it funny when you notice something new or are told about something new, you then start to see it everywhere.
And I did, in coffee bars and of course friends started to talk about it. In fact I was at my friend’s house one day and the commercial came on TV for the exact same mix that I bought.
“I tried that stuff”, which of course she responded with, “no homemade is so much better, I have the recipe for you”!
So here I am with the cool rainy weather starting and all I can think about is making a small pot of this amazing Thick Italian Hot Chocolate to go along with some just made Shortbread Cookies.
This stuff is gold, made with real chocolate and a little cocoa, my friend said to use whole milk but I used 2% instead and it always turned out delicious.
Unfortunately this is another recipe just like Italian Pastry Cream where stirring is required. But don’t worry the outcome is well worth it.
This Italian Thick Hot Chocolate Recipe is so creamy and delicious you don’t even need to top it with any whipped cream or marshmallows. But if you do, I won’t stop you. Enjoy!
Thick Italian Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 3.5 ounces Dark Chocolate (good quality) (chopped into small pieces)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa unsweetened
- 1 cup + 1 tablespoon milk (2% or whole milk/divided)
- 1 teaspoon corn starch
Instructions
- In a small bowl whisk until smooth, 1/4 cup milk and cornstarch set aside.
- Sift the cocoa into a medium bowl then add the sugar and whisk together, set aside.
- In a small/medium pot heat 3/4 cups + 1 tablespoon milk until boiling reduce heat to low, start whisking and add the milk/cornstarch mixture then add the cocoa mixture slowly while continually whisking until smooth add the chopped chocolate and whisk for approximately 3 minutes. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Updated from November 18, 2016
Dee says
I made this with soy milk, but otherwise followed the recipe to a T. I got the right consistency, but it was far too rich for me. I think next time I would reduce the amount of cocoa and sugar, and choose a chocolate with lower cocoa content (i went with 72%, but I think this was too dark). Next time, I might try a tbsp each of cocoa and sugar. If that’s still too rich, I’ll try a chocolate with lower cocoa content.
R.Jordan says
Hi just curious if this would work with Easter chocolate cause I have so much left over 😁
Rosemary says
Hi R.Jordan, sure I don’t see why not. Let me know how it goes. Take care and have a great weekend.
M rom says
I have had authentic Italian hot chocolate in Italy and this is kinda similar but the dark chocolate is too, too sharp. I think the ones I drank in Italy used a milk chocolate(?) bec this does not taste like it at all. It does have the thicker viscosity but it just doesn’t match the Italy based one. Sorry
Rosemary says
Hi M rom, I don’t think they used milk chocolate, milk chocolate is rarely if ever used in cooking or baking by Italians. They probably used more milk, more sugar and more cornstarch. It also could have been made in a bar more for tourists than locals. 🙂
TC says
I felt like I was drinking chocolate soufflé. This drink was delicious and very rich despite the fact that I replaced half the dark chocolate with milk chocolate. The hot chocolate wasn’t as thick as I was expecting and didn’t quite coat mg throat the same way the ones I had in Italy.
Dorota K says
Delicious… I used whole milk and topped it with whipped cream It was enough for two medium-sized espresso cups. Easy to make and very, very yummy!
Rosemary says
Hi Dorota, thanks so much sounds delicous! Take care and have a great weekend!
jasper says
a perfect christmas treat! i’ve been waiting a whole year to make this since seeing a recipe for this on tiktok during the new year, and i’m so glad i haven’t forgotten about it. the whole melted chocolate bar gives it real italian authenticity, and it doubles as a great dessert. this is the best recipe i could’ve tried, thank you for sharing!
Rosemary says
Hi Jasper, thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it. Take care! Merry Christmas.
Maddie says
Went to Italy a few years ago and had hot cocoa there pretty much everyday, I’ve been craving it every Christmas and tried a few recipes but this is the closest one!! Obviously ingredients matter and can make or break it but ratio wise this hot cocoa took me back!! Wrote it down for family and friends and can’t wait to make it this christmas for them!
Rosemary says
Hi Maddie, thanks so much, so glad you liked it and it brought back memories. Take care and Merry Christmas!
Luan says
Very good
Rosemary says
Hi Luan, thanks glad you liked it. Take care!
Maria says
This is my favorite hot chocolate recipe. I’ve made it for at least two winters now, and found that it is exceptionally creamy and decadent. I like to put it in my thermos and take it with me when I go out.
Rosemary says
Hi Maria, thanks so much, great idea putting it in a thermos. Take care!
Suzi says
Looks wonderful! I would love to give as neighbor gifts. Could all the dry ingredients be mixed together and put in a glass jar with instructions on how much milk to add and how to make the hot chocolate? Or does it have to be fresh?
Rosemary says
Hi Suzi, I don’t think that would work because you have to add the dry ingredients at different times, unless you separated them in the jar. 🙂
NoNo says
Wow! Delicious! I followed the recipe and it turned out great! It was so rich and chocolatey and filling. I can’t wait to try it with Vodka/Kahlua/Baileys. Thank you so much I will definitely make this again and soon!
Rosemary says
Hi NoNo, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Take care and have a great weekend!
Julie says
Would this work with chocolate chips?
Rosemary says
Hi Julie, it should work with chocolate chips. Let me know. Take care!
Susan says
I tried it with chocolate chips and it turned out amazing! thank you for sharing!!!