Italian Hot Chocolate

Italian Hot Chocolate is an easy recipe for the hot chocolate drink served in Italy. A rich chocolate that is thick, creamy and silky smooth, you'll need a spoon to "drink" this hot chocolate. And it's so decadent you can even call it a dessert! 

Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe

There’s the traditional American hot chocolate that we all know and love, and then there’s the hot chocolate in Italy. And let me tell you, there’s no comparison!

With its pudding-like consistency, this creamy Italian hot chocolate is made with simple ingredients, including the secret ingredient that makes all the difference, just a little bit of cornstarch!

On my visit to Italy several years ago I was extremely and very pleasantly surprised when I ordered Cioccolato Caldo and took my first sip!

I quickly realized that a spoon was an absolute necessity when indulging in this thick Italian hot chocolate! I began ordering cioccolata calda every opportunity I got!

And I found it imperative to recreate my Italian chocolate drink experience once I returned home and develop my own recipe.

So here it is, a rich and thick hot chocolate that is creamy and silky smooth. You will think you died and went to heaven because there’s nothing quite like a cup of Italian style hot chocolate!

For all the chocolate lovers out there, next time you're craving that cup of hot cocoa, take it to the next level and make it a cup of decadent hot chocolate. Make it an Italian Hot Chocolate!

And if you love hot chocolate as much as I do, be sure to check out my homemade hot chocolate recipe and hot cocoa bar too!

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How to make Italian hot chocolate

Scroll down for the full recipe instructions and ingredient amounts in the recipe card below

• In pot whisk together sugar, cocoa powder and cornstarch until blended. Stir in chocolate chips.
• Whisk in milk until combined.
• Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently. Simmer until thickened, 1-2 minutes.
• Serve with whipped topping and mini marshmallows.

How to make one cup of hot chocolate

Just want to make one heaping cup of Italian Hot Chocolate to share…or just for yourself? Just follow these steps:

• Combine 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 tsp. cornstarch until blended.
• Stir in 1/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips.
• Add 1 cup milk; heat and bring to a simmer, stirring frequently.
• Simmer until thickened. Enjoy!

Swirls of Flavor Recipe Tips

• Use your favorite type of chocolate, milk, semi-sweet or bittersweet
• Add brandy for a hot toddy
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for a hint of heat

Substitutions

• Substitute plant based milk for the whole milk
• Use your favorite sugar substitute in place of the sugar
• Make this recipe with brown sugar instead of white sugar

Toppings for hot chocolate

• chocolate shavings
• chopped candy canes
• chopped peppermint candy
• fudge sauce
• ground cinnamon
• mini chocolate chips
• mini marshmallows
• sprinkles
• toffee bits
• whipped cream

Hot drink recipes

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• Dalgona whipped coffee
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Ingredients for Italian hot chocolate recipe

• sugar
• unsweetened cocoa powder
• cornstarch
• 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips 
• milk
• whipped topping
• mini marshmallows

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