European Hot Chocolate Recipe – How to make a thick hot chocolate drink inspired by Italian and French Hot Chocolates – with the video.
European Hot Chocolate Recipe
This European Hot Chocolate Recipe is inspired by hot chocolates that I’ve enjoyed over the years in Italy and France and makes a wonderfully warming and indulgent treat.
My first taste of a European-Style Hot Chocolate was many years ago in Italy, while visiting an old friend who lives near Milan. It was the middle of winter and she insisted I sample an authentic Italian Hot Chocolate at a quaint cafe in the town she lives in.
The first time I took a sip, I was instantly blown away at the warming mug that consisted of virtually nothing but gooey melted chocolate. I tried a number of cafes in and around Milan and had my eyes open to the pleasure that is the European hot chocolate.
Since then, I always make a beeline for Italian bakeries around the world which usually have their own version of thick Italian hot chocolate, like the above pictured divine drink at an Italian cafe here in Ireland.
I’ve since also been lucky enough to indulge in a Parisian Hot Chocolate, known as Chocolat chaud, in Paris as well as at a couple of gorgeous French Patisseries and cafes around the world. (With Laduree, pictured above, being my favorite.)
Hot Chocolate Ingredients
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this delicious hot chocolate:
Milk – you can use whole milk, almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk or even chocolate milk in the recipe.
Cream – adding a small amount of heavy cream, whipping cream or any other cream into the hot chocolate makes it extra creamy and rich.
Chocolate – you can really use any kind of chocolate you like in this hot drink, I usually try and use high quality chocolate for a decadent, real chocolate experience – dark chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, milk chocolate or even white hot chocolate.
Optional Extras
Here are some ideas for optional additions to make the perfect hot chocolate for you, based on your own personal preference:
Sweetness – I usually find the added chocolate sweet enough, but if you’d like a sweeter hot chocolate you can add in sugar, brown sugar, stevia, honey or maple syrup.
Chili or Cayenne Pepper – for a spiced hot chocolate drink.
Cocoa Powder – for a double chocolate hot cocoa drink.
Extracts – add in a 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of vanilla extract, orange extract or peppermint extract for a flavored drink.
Toppings – you can top your steaming mug of hot chocolate with ice cream, whipped cream, shaved or grated chocolate to satisfy the ultimate chocolate craving.
How To Make Thick Hot Chocolate
There are a number of ways to make a luxuriously thick hot chocolate drink:
Corn Starch – add a half to a teaspoon of corn start or cornflour per mug, just be sure to almost continuously stir or whisk to prevent the drink from sticking or burning.
Add More Chocolate – some French Hot chocolate recipe cards list almost a whole block (or more) of chocolate per serve, creating a hot chocolate that’s like drinking a mug of pure unadulterated chocolate. The more chocolate you add, the thicker the drink will be.
Cinnamon – adding 1/4 to 1/2 a teaspoon of ground cinnamon per serve will naturally thicken the hot chocolate while infusing the drink with the comforting flavor or cinnamon.
The recipe creates a hot chocolate that you can expect to find in European Countries – great pleasure if you’re a keen chocolate lover and the perfect treat to warm you through the cold season.
European Hot Chocolate Recipe
- 3/4 Mug of Whole Milk
- 1/4 Mug of Heavy Cream
- 1-2 Rows Of Best Quality Chocolate, chopped
- Pour the milk and cream into a small or medium saucepan and place it on the stove top over medium heat.
- Slowing heat the milk and cream and remove it from the stove just before it starts to boil.
- Add the chopped chocolate pieces to the heated milk and cream and stir well to melt the chocolate. If it hasn’t all melted just pop it back on the stove top over low heat to help it along.
- Pour the hot chocolate into a mug, serve as is or topped with whipped cream or ice cream for added indulgence, then enjoy.
Best Hot Chocolate Recipe Video
Here’s the video where you can watch the decadent hot chocolate being prepared, step by step. Hit play below or click here to watch on YouTube.
More Easy Chocolate Desserts
European Hot Chocolate Recipe
European Hot Chocolate Recipe – How to make a thick hot chocolate drink inspired by Italian and French Hot Chocolates – with the video.
Ingredients
- 3/4 Mug of Whole Milk
- 1/4 Mug of Heavy Cream
- 1-2 Rows Of Best Quality Chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Pour the milk and cream into a small or medium saucepan and place it on the stove top over medium heat.
- Slowing heat the milk and cream and remove it from the stove just before it starts to boil.
- Add the chopped chocolate pieces to the heated milk and cream and stir well to melt the chocolate. If it hasn’t all melted just pop it back on the stove top over low heat to help it along.
- Pour the hot chocolate into a mug, serve as is or topped with whipped cream or ice cream for added indulgence, then enjoy.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 98
Disclaimer – this post is meant for informational post only and should not be construed as medical advice. Please consult with your health professional before making any dietary changes.
Disclosure – this post contains affiliate links.
