Italian Style Rich Creamy Hot Chocolate Recipe

Explore the richness of Italian Hot Chocolate, a decadent beverage that stands out for its velvety texture and deep chocolate flavor. This recipe elevates your hot chocolate experience, marrying the intensity of dark chocolate with the smoothness of milk, thickened to perfection. Every sip promises a luxurious escape to the heart of Italy, making it a perfect treat for chilly evenings or whenever you crave a touch of sweetness.

Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tablespoons powdered sugar (or to your liking)
2-3 teaspoons corn starch
50 grams Dark chocolate (60%) or mini semisweet chocolate chips
1 ½ cups milk
Optional: ¼ cup mini marshmallows or whipped cream for topping

Instructions

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a saucepan, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, and cornstarch. Mix these dry ingredients together.
Add Milk: Pour in cold milk to the dry mix in the saucepan. Whisk well to ensure the cornstarch dissolves completely, avoiding lumps.
Heat with Chocolate: Add the chopped chocolate to the saucepan. Heat the mixture over low heat, constantly stirring.
Cook Until Thick: Keep stirring the mixture until it becomes bubbly and hot, and you notice it thickening into a rich mixture.
Serve: Once the mixture is adequately thick and hot, pour it into cups. If desired, top with whipped cream or marshmallows for an additional treat.

Notes

For the best results, use high-quality ingredients.
If you prefer extra thick hot chocolate, use 3 teaspoons of corn starch. Keep in mind that the liquid will thicken as it cools down.
The type of chocolate can be adjusted based on your preference. While 60% cocoa content is recommended for this recipe, semisweet chocolate chips are also a good option.
You can use either whole milk or fat-free milk, depending on your dietary preferences.
You can create a 4oz gift jar with this mix by layering cornstarch at the bottom, followed by cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and then topping it with chocolate chips. Adding mini marshmallows on top is a sweet touch.
Adjust the thickness by playing with the amount of corn starch, noting that some people omit it for a thinner consistency.
This recipe yields 14oz, which should be enough for two servings.