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.
- Chocolate
- Milk, even 2% makes delicious a decadent drink.
- Sugar,
- 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.
- Use real chocolate not cocoa and 70% cocoa or higher is best. Be sure to use quality chocolate.
- I like to use 2% milk but you can use whole milk if you prefer.
- 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.
- 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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Italian Hot Chocolate (gluten free)
Ingredients
- 115 grams dark chocolate 70% cocoa coarsely chopped
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 2 teaspoons non wheaten cornflour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
Instructions
- Into a small saucepan place the chocolate and 1 cup of milk.
- Place over low heat and allow the chocolate to melt stirring from time to time.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add the sugar.
- 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.
- Taste for sweetness. Add more sugar if you prefer. Or serve with sugar so that each can add sugar to their liking.
- Pour into small cups or espresso cups to serve with a spoon on the side for scooping.
Notes
Nutrition
Yum this looks absolutely devine and a must make before the weather warms up!
Yes, we don’t have long before it gets to hot for this! But then it’ll be time for iced chocolate!
I literally just drooled all over my screen. I’m making this tonight it looks UNREAL
I hope you enjoyed the hot chocolate, Gavin!
It’s not quite hot chocolate weather here in the northern hemisphere, but this post had me hankering for some anyway! Nothing can beat it on a chilly autumn or winter afternoon. Never done it but I do like the idea of a few drops of rum and definitely just a little sugar. The slight bitterness of pure chocolate is part of the delight!
Ooooh, I love the idea of a couple of drops of rum in this hot chocolate. Definitly going to try that before our winter in the southern hemisphere ends!
This looks so good, it brings back many very happy memories of holidays and drinking a lot of this hot chocolate as dessert! 🙂
I’m glad this post brings back those happy memories, Robyn!
I remember having this type of hot chocolate in Italy a few years ago – so thick and delicious, it’s almost like a chocolate pudding. Yum!!
It’s true, Sylvie, this is so similar to a pudding but oh so good!
Great photos, Marcelina! Your hot chocolate looks rich like chocolate pudding and could even be served as a dessert!
Fran, it is just lovely served as dessert!
Marcellina, this Italian hot chocolate looks irresistible! Love how it’s so thick and dreamy! That would really hit the spot!
Yes, it really does it the spot and so quick to make!
I want a cup of this right now – so delicious 🙂 Can’t wait to enjoy soon!
It’s just so yum! Brings me right back to Italy.
Looks fantastic! Makes me want a.) to make it, and b.) to get on a plane to Italy!
Do both, I say!!
It’s still too warm out here for hot chocolate but that silky smooth texture is seriously making me crave for a cup right now.