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Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 64 reviews

Indulge in a rich and creamy Italian Hot Chocolate, a decadent beverage made with dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and milk, thickened to perfection for a luxurious treat. This classic European-style hot chocolate is thick, velvety, and perfect for cozy evenings or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar (or to taste)
  • 2–3 teaspoons corn starch
  • 50 grams dark chocolate (60% cocoa) or mini semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1 ½ cups milk

Optional Toppings

  • ¼ cup mini marshmallows
  • Whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Combine dry ingredients: In a saucepan, add the unsweetened cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and cornstarch. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly to ensure the cornstarch is evenly distributed.
  2. Add cold milk and whisk: Pour in the cold milk gradually while whisking continuously to dissolve the cornstarch completely and create a smooth mixture without lumps.
  3. Add chocolate and heat: Chop the dark chocolate finely or use mini semisweet chips. Add them to the saucepan and heat the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly to melt the chocolate and combine all flavors.
  4. Thicken the hot chocolate: Continue stirring the mixture as it warms until it becomes bubbly, thick, and has a luscious, velvety texture, indicating the chocolate and cornstarch have fully cooked and thickened the drink.
  5. Serve and garnish: Pour the thick Italian hot chocolate into cups. Top each serving with mini marshmallows or a dollop of whipped cream if desired for an extra indulgent touch.

Notes

  • Use low heat when melting the chocolate to avoid scorching and maintain a smooth texture.
  • Adjust the powdered sugar according to your sweetness preference.
  • Cornstarch is key to achieving the characteristic thick texture of Italian hot chocolate; do not skip it.
  • The dark chocolate percentage can be adjusted for more or less bitterness and richness.
  • For a vegan option, substitute milk with a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk.

Keywords: Italian hot chocolate, thick hot chocolate, dark chocolate drink, hot cocoa recipe, cozy winter drink

Find it online: https://dinewithlily.com/italian-hot-chocolate-recipe/