Italian Hot Chocolate

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With this Italian Hot Chocolate recipe, you’ll learn to make the best hot chocolate you’ve ever had!

It’s smooth, thick and decadent but so easy to make a home in just 10 minutes. Plus using non wheaten cornflour means you’ve got a gluten free indulgence.

What is different about Italian Hot Chocolate?

I just knew you’d ask this question. Italian hot chocolate (known as cioccolata calda) is certainly very different to regular hot chocolate. This is a thick, almost pudding-like drink that is enjoyed in bars all over Italy. It’s more like a dessert than a drink. At home, most people use Italian hot chocolate sachets.

During our recent trip to Italy, on a cold day in a house tucked up in the hills near Turin, our cousins made a batch using the Italian hot chocolate sachets. And later, I enjoyed ordering this thick hot chocolate in bars as an alternative to coffee.

Only 4 simple ingredients to make this hot chocolate recipe at home.

On my return to Australia, we were straight into winter so I really wanted a cup of cioccolata calda. I came across this recipe and decided to try my own version of it. To make this hot chocolate recipe at home you need 4 simple pantry and refrigerator staples.

1. Chocolate
2. Milk, even 2% makes delicious a decadent drink.
3. Sugar,
4. Cornflour

How to make this recipe.

• Place the chocolate and 1 cup of milk into a small saucepan and melt chocolate over low heat.
• In a small bowl combine well the remaining ½ cup of milk and the cornflour (cornstarch)
• When the chocolate has melted remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the combined milk/cornflour mixture.
• Add the sugar.
• Return the saucepan to a low to medium heat and stir until the mixture thickens.
• Serve hot in small cups.

Be sure to check the recipe below for complete and comprehensive instructions for perfect hot chocolate.

Here are my tips to making the best cioccolata calda.

1. Use real chocolate not cocoa and 70% cocoa or higher is best. Be sure to use quality chocolate.
2. I like to use 2% milk but you can use whole milk if you prefer.
3. There is just a little bit of sugar in this rich hot chocolate recipe because it’s not meant to be very sweet. Add more if you like sweetness.
4. Cornflour thickens this recipe. Cornflour is also known as corn starch. Don’t confuse it with the corn flour that is very finely ground corn meal.

How to serve this Italian hot chocolate.

While I think that there really isn’t anything you need to add to this drink, you could always add a dollop of cream or some marshmallows and an extra grating of chocolate to be totally indulgent. However serving a biscotto or cookie on the side for dunking is certainly welcomed! My recipe for biscotti with espresso and hazelnuts  or little balls of cookie dough that you can eat (yes, it’s a thing!) would be perfectly indulgent. Or keep it gluten free with these delicious Almond cookies by It’s Not Complicated Recipes.

Most importantly, serve with a spoon for scooping up this thick, rich pudding-like drink. And be sure to serve small portions because you won’t get through a regular mug full.

Variations and additions for this recipe.

In this recipe dark chocolate can be substituted for milk chocolate or even white chocolate if that is your preference. And for added flavour, try a few drops of vanilla, peppermint oil or a splash of rum or your favourite liqueur.

Italian Hot Chocolate was never meant to be a light and refreshing drink. It is dark, rich and indulgent so this is not the drink to have when you are dieting. But I truly believe all things in moderation are fine including this cioccolata calda!

Baci,

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5 from 8 votes

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Italian Hot Chocolate (gluten free)

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

5 mins

Total Time

10 mins

 

With this Italian Hot Chocolate recipe, you'll learn to make the best hot chocolate you've ever had! It's smooth, thick and decadent but so easy to make a home in just 10 minutes. Plus using non wheaten cornflour means you've got a gluten free indulgence.

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: chocolate, decadent, warming, winter

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 255 kcal

Author: Marcellina

Ingredients

• 115 grams dark chocolate 70% cocoa coarsely chopped
• 1 ½ cups milk
• 2 teaspoons non wheaten cornflour
• 2 tablespoons sugar

Instructions

1. Into a small saucepan place the chocolate and 1 cup of milk.
2. Place over low heat and allow the chocolate to melt stirring from time to time.
3. In a small bowl put the remaining ½ cup of milk and the cornflour (cornstarch). Stir to combine, ensuring all the lumps are dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
4. When the chocolate has melted remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the milk/cornflour mixture. Be sure that the cornflour is still mixed through the milk as it has a tendency to settle to the bottom so give it a little stir before adding to the chocolate/milk mixture.
5. Add the sugar.
6. Return the saucepan to a low to medium heat and stir until the mixture thickens. Some bubbles will start to form around the edges and it will start to come to a simmer. However you don’t need to let it come to a boil it will thicken anyway.
7. Taste for sweetness. Add more sugar if you prefer. Or serve with sugar so that each can add sugar to their liking.
8. Pour into small cups or espresso cups to serve with a spoon on the side for scooping.

Recipe Notes

Variations and additions for this recipe.

In this recipe dark chocolate can be substituted for milk chocolate or even white chocolate if that is your preference. And for added flavour, try a few drops of vanilla, peppermint oil or a splash of rum or your favourite liqueur.

Nutrition Facts

Italian Hot Chocolate (gluten free)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 255 Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 9g56%

Cholesterol 10mg3%

Sodium 45mg2%

Potassium 326mg9%

Carbohydrates 25g8%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 18g20%

Protein 5g10%

Vitamin A 148IU3%

Calcium 124mg12%

Iron 3mg17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Thank you for sharing!