Italian Hot Chocolate (2024)

This Italian hot chocolate is warm, rich, creamy, and so good that it's almost a sin! Only simple ingredients required and ready in 15 minutes!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe

• Made for chocolate lovers.
• Rich, creamy, and indulgent – this is the best hot chocolate.
• Easy to make with simple ingredients.
• Makes the perfect holiday beverage.

• whole milk – this makes a rich hot chocolate; you can also use a reduced fat milk.
• salt
• unsweetened cocoa powder
• granulated sugar – could also use coconut sugar
• dark chocolate – be sure it’s a high quality chocolate and sweetened
• corn starch – helps to make the hot chocolate thicker than normal
• vanilla extract – ties all the flavors together

Substitutions and Variations

• You can expect a thick and moderately rich drink using this recipe. If you want it richer, use dark cocoa powder and/or add darker (up to 80%) chocolate.
• Up to a cup of half ‘n’ half or heavy cream can be substituted for the milk.
• 2%, 1%, or even nonfat milk can be swapped for the whole milk to reduce fat and lighten up the creamy texture of the hot chocolate.
• Using milk chocolate pieces or another kind of chocolate instead of dark chocolate will change the flavor profile a bit, but will also work.
• Try this recipe with non-dairy alternatives like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk!
• Potato starch can be used in place of the cornstarch. It’s a great alternative for those with a corn sensitivity.

Step 1: Combine the milk, salt, sugar, and cocoa powder in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat while stirring constantly.

Step 2: Add the chocolate pieces into the saucepan and stir slowly until they are melted.

Step 3: Whisk together the remaining cold milk and cornstarch in a small bowl to make a slurry.

Step 4: Slowly pour it in the hot chocolate and continue cooking while it thickens.

Step 6: Instructions for step 1 here. Please vary wording slightly between instructions to optimize opportunity for catching other important words and phrases. e.g., medium bowl, mixing bowl, glass bowl.

Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe Tips

• This drink is perfect like it is, but if you decide to top it with chocolate shavings, mini marshmallows, whipped cream, or a dusting of cocoa powder we wouldn’t be mad!
• Keep the chocolate mixture on low heat when simmering. We don’t want the milk to scald.
• Taste the hot chocolate once it has thickened then adjust the sweetness as needed.
• Consider serving smaller portions in an espresso cup for a true Italian drinking chocolate experience.
• Cornstarch is a thickening agent. We make a slurry by dissolving cornstarch in a cold liquid (milk, in this case). Cornstarch begins to thicken when heat is added, so if you dump the cornstarch straight into the hot chocolate, it will form lumps. The cornstarch slurry prevents the lumps and allows the cornstarch to mix in smoothly and then thicken.

Fun Fact

The first Italian version of this drink was called ciaoccolata calda and was created in Turin in the late 1500s.

Can you store Italian hot chocolate for later?

Keep it in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Warm by heating over low heat on the stovetop.

What is the difference between Italian and American hot chocolate?

The Italian version is much richer and creamier. Plus, you would never use water to make it as you would with instant hot chocolate. Regular hot chocolate also tastes milkier and less indulgent.

• Homemade Eggnog for the Holidays

• Iced Pumpkin Spice Latte

• Hot Chocolate Bombs – Everything You Need to Know

• Hot Cranberry Punch