Thick Italian Hot Chocolate
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, 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 the remaining 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
Haven’t tried it yet! I went to Italy several years ago and had hot chocolate, it was SO delicious. I have thought about it off and on and decided to search a recipe. I found yours and it sound and looks like what I remember. I can’t wait to try it! Thanks so much for the recipe.
Hi Diane, thanks so much and you’re welcome, I hope you enjoy it. Let me know. Take care!
Amazingly easy and tasty. I add marshmallows, whipped cream, cinnamon, or nutmeg to enhance the flavour sometimes, but it’s amazing by itself! It reminds me of my Italian grandma’s hot chocolate she’d make for me in a pinch when I was a kiddo. Thank you, definitely going to become a new comfort drink for cold days 🙂
Hi Elliot, thanks so much, great idea with the marshmallows and spices. Glad it reminded you of your Grandma’s. Take care!
Easy to make and nice and thick !!
Hi Kirby, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Take care!
I just got back from Italy and this hot chocolate tasted exactly like the hot chocolate that I tasted in Venice. A cup of comfort.
Hi Cheryl, thanks so much, glad you enjoyed it. I adore Venice! Take care and have a great weekend.
Could this be put in a crock pot? I am wanting to make a large batch for a christmas party!
Hi Amanda, no I don’t think it would work, since it has to boil to thicken. Take care!
Just tried this hot choco today (never tried the one in Paris) but it tastes so good it’s like a chocolate bomb :DD which I’ve never got hot chocolate Like that ! It really brightens my mood after this drink
Hi Siena, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Take care!
You could make it on stove stop but then pour it into your crockpot on warm/low to keep it warm for your party.
Hi Kristen, that’s a good idea!
Oh boy, I made a single portion of this and it was WAY too rich. It was like drinking pure melted fondue chocolate or something. I threw it back in the pot and thinned it out, tripling the milk and sugar, and it was still too thick and rich for me. I’m an American, I guess I just like traditional mild hot cocoa!
Hi Aaron, that is exactly Italian hot chocolate! 🙂
We absolutely flipped for your Italian Hot Chocolate last night. Your ingredients were followed to a “T”….my only tweak is based on the fact that I make various hot chocolate recipes often. I whisked the cocoa, sugar and cornstarch together, and gradually whisked in all of the milk. Added the chocolate and brought to a simmer in the microwave. I used an immersion blender to emulsify and actually stuck this in the fridge until after dinner. I simply re heated in the microwave, gave a little whisk and indulged in something soooo satisfying. Big thanks from Sherman Oaks, California!
Hi Jeff, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it! Great idea with the blender. Take care!
Thank you- I needed this
Really good. I suggest adding 1-2 tablespoons more milk and only 2 tsp of sugar vs a tablespoon.
Reminded me of having hot chicane in Florence. Made my wife and I rather nostalgic and renew ours plans to go back.
Hi David, thanks so much, so glad you both enjoyed it and it brought back wonderful memories. Take care and welcome back!
Forgot to rate. 🥴 Definitely five star!!!!
A few years ago when I was in Chioggia with friends, we decided to have a pre-dinner cocktail in the hotel bar. It was rainy and cold outside so I ordered a hot chocolate. My friends’ drinks were served in just a few min. I waited and waited and waited some more. Finally, my hot chocolate arrived while I’m thinking “this better be good”! It was heavenly, and the angels sang!!! OMG, it was the best liquid ever to go down my throat!! When I returned home my mission was to find a recipe so I could make it. Yours was the one that most closely tasted like what I experienced that rainy day in Italy, and I’ve made it numerous times since. Bravo! Grazie mille!!
Hi Linda, grazie mille, glad I could help, I absolutely adore Venice and now I will have to take a trip to Chioggia and I’ll be sure to try the hot chocolate. Take care and have a great week!
What is the purpose of the corn starch in the recipe?
Hi Cecile, the cornstarch is to thicken it. 🙂
I don’t normally comment on these – but had to for this! First time – made exactly as in recipe – but for me it was to sweet. Halved the sugar & cocoa and used Belgian milk chocolate.. my new addiction! This is amazing!
Hi Rae, thanks so much, so glad you like the recipe and thank you for letting me know about using less sugar and cocoa. Take care and have a great weekend!
Can milk chocolate be substituted?
Hi Janet, I think you could, you might want to use less sugar (1/2-1 tablespoon) since milk chocolate is sweeter. I hope you enjoy it. Take care!
I halved the sugar but otherwise made this exactly to the recipe and it was delicious!!!
Hi Lisa, thanks so much, so glad you enjoyed it. Take care and Happy New Year!