Treat yourself to a cup of Italian hot chocolate (known as Cioccolata Calda) and forget about your ordinary hot chocolate. Rich, thick and decadent hot chocolate mix made with just a few ingredients.
Next time, try this warming bubbly Sahlab.
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❓Why This Recipe Works
- Rich and so chocolatey.
- Simple recipe with everyday ingredients.
- Easily doubled or tripled recipe.
Italian hot chocolate is what many call Italian drinkable chocolate is not your everyday hot chocolate. This hot chocolate is made with real chocolate for an ultimate hot chocolate experience.
You will notice that this recipe is simple and requires everyday ingredients with a special emphasis on chocolate. They key to this recipe is to use good quality ingredients.
📝 Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- You can use semisweet chocolate chips, especially if you are gifting it as it makes for a nice look inside the jar.
- Use whole milk or skimmed milk it works either ways.
- You can use regular granulated sugar instead of powdered sugar, powdered sugar is easier to dissolve though.
- Make sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder.
🥄 Instructions
- In a small saucepan add cocoa powder, powdered sugar and corn starch.
- Add cold milk and whisk to dissolve corn starch well. Place on medium heat.
- Add chocolate and keep stirring until bubbly and thick. Top with Chantilly cream if desired.
💡 Tips
- Use high quality ingredients for best results.
- I like using 60% and up to 70% good quality chocolate bar.
- To make a 4oz gift jar start by layering cornstarch at the bottom, cocoa powder, powdered sugar then top that with chocolate chips. You can also add some mini marshmallows at the top.
📣 Related Recipes
- Sahlab is a warm thick pudding like Middle eastern drink popular during winter time. Here is an authentic recipe for Sahlab with ingredients that gives it its characteristic flavors.
- A refreshing cup of cardamom tea is the perfect way to calm your mind and body.
- This Karak tea is sweet and aromatic, one of my favorite.
- Simple ginger latte in less than 5 minutes, this coffee shop style drink does not even need ginger syrup!.
- Tea with Milk has been known in the Middle East for such a long time now. Steep your favorite black tea with a splash of milk and sweetener for an exquisite quick and easy beverage experience.
- Bring delicious fall flavors into your home with this easy Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte Recipe. Loaded with pumpkin, sweetened to your preference this pumpkin latte come fully flavored yet unloaded from unnecessary calories.
Chocolate Treats
- Nutella Protein milkshake is a delightful blend of Nutella, protein powder and a handful of pantry ingredients making this a luscious energizing treat.
Italian Hot Chocolate
Thick Italian hot chocolate recipe is not like your everyday watery hot chocolate. This is a hot cocoa recipe made Italian style. Rich, creamy and pudding-like drink that you need to try.
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Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 319kcal
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar or to your liking.
- 2-3 teaspoons corn starch
- 50 gram Dark chocolate (60%) or mini semisweet chocolate chips
- 1 ½ cups milk.
Optional:
- ¼ cup mini marshmallows or whipped cream
Instructions
- In a sauce pan add cocoa powder, sugar and cornstarch then mix.
- Pour in cold milk and whisk well to dissolve cornstarch.
- Add chopped chocolate and heat it up over low heat while stirring.
- Keep stirring until it is bubbly and hot and you have a chocolate thick mixture.
- Pour in cups and top with whipped cream or marshmallow if desired.
Notes
- Use high quality ingredients for best results.
- For extra thick hot chocolate use 3 teaspoons, keep in mind that it thickens as it cools down.
- For the chocolate I like using 60% chocolate bar, but you can use any chocolate you like. Semisweet chocolate chips work as well.
- You can use whole milk or fat free milk.
- To make a 4oz gift jar start by layering cornstarch at the bottom, cocoa powder, powdered sugar then top that with chocolate chips.
- You can also add some mini marshmallows at the top.
- Some people skip the corn starch for a thinner consistency.
- This recipe yields 14oz which is enough for two.
Nutrition
Calories: 319kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 85mg | Potassium: 497mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 306IU | Calcium: 232mg | Iron: 4mg
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First published Dec 21, 2012 . Last updated February 15, 2021 with important tips, clear step by step instructions and readability.
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Lauretta
So decadent! I was looking for a hot chocolate recipe and being Italian, this caught my eye. I had all of the ingredients and it came together quite quickly. Wow, was this ever delicious. ✌️
Nat
This is a really good recipe. It’s definitely worth breaking out the kitchen scale to properly measure the chocolate. Once I stopped being lazy and followed the measurements, I found that this is the perfect cup of hot chocolate.
Mary Beth
This looks delicious, I can’t wait to try it!
mary
love chocolate have to try if ican find everything
Lyn
Definitely trying this one for the holidays . It looks delicious
Sarah
Delicious! Love the richness yet, not overwhelming, do yummy!
Donna S
Homemade Hot Chocolate is always better than the powdered stuff
Teresa
Your recipe for 'Basbousa Is what lead me to your site originally. It's still the best. We have something similar to this chocolate in Spain also. Thanks again for the opportunity To win. T.
Amira
You can never have enough versions of hot chocolate right? 🙂 Thanks Teresa.
Debra A Youngblood
Absolutely beautiful & delicious.
I loved the gifting idea…thanks!!
I know exactly who I will be making gifts for.
P.S. I love your recipes. Please keep ‘em coming…Happy Holidays to all
SUSAN
Best recipe I've come across for a while now!
Amira
Thanks Susan, I hope you'll try it soon.
Caroline Boyle
Reminds me of my aunt’s Christmas hot cocoa. Such a special treat when we would visit her during holidays.
Thank you for the warm memories.
Amira
Thanks Caroline I love recipes that bring back good old memories.
Jackie
I can't wait to try. I will add a pinch of cinnamon to mine....or made stir with a peppermint stick! I love the gift idea. I am definately doing that. Thank you for the wonderful idea.
Amira
This is such a wonderful idea I especially love the peppermint one. Thanks
Lorraine
Yummy! I feel it should rest about 5 minutes and then be reheated lightly and that gives it the creamiest texture.
Amira
Great idea, thanks Lorraine.
Shelly Hammad
I love this recipe! Very satisfying!
Amira
Awesome, it makes a great gift for chocolate lovers. Thanks Shelly.
Adrienne
This looks so indulgent and delicious! I always add a hint of cinnamon and grated fresh nutmeg to my hot chocolate and would do it here, too! It adds warmth and brings out the chocolate flavor even more! Can't wait to try this!
Amira
Wonderful ideas, doing that in the coming break for the kids. Thanks Adrienne.
Paula
This chocolate cocoa looks like velvet. I want to try this so much!
Amira
Oh it is so velvety and rich, I hope you'll try it soon. Thanks Paula.
John / Kitchen Riffs
I haven't had hot chocolate in years. Really craving it now, though, particularly since it's snowing here (again -- we've gotten a lot lately). Good stuff -- thanks.