Pin it
Think of the smoothest, dreamiest chocolate you've tasted, now turned into a warm, drinkable cuddle. This Italian hot chocolate isn't your regular powder-and-water mix - it's a decadent treat that's so thick it'll stick to your spoon and so intense it'll make you sigh with pure chocolate joy after every tiny sip.
I stumbled upon this while on a cold-weather visit to Florence, and got totally hooked on bringing that incredible café moment into my kitchen. These days it's become our family's cherished weekend ritual.
Key Components
- Dark Chocolate: Go for bars around 72% cocoa for that ideal mix of intensity and sweetness
- Cocoa Powder: Dutch-processed works best for extra smoothness and depth
- Whole Milk: Don't skimp here - the fat is key for that luxurious mouthfeel
- Cornstarch: The secret ingredient that turns ordinary chocolate milk into thick Italian-style goodness
Pin it
Step-by-Step Method
- Get Everything Ready
- Chop chocolate into tiny bits so it melts quickly. Mix cornstarch with cold milk until it's totally lump-free. Have all other stuff measured and waiting.
- Mix The Base
- Warm milk in a thick-bottomed pot on medium-low. Toss in the chopped chocolate, stirring all the time. Keep an eye on it as the chocolate blends in. Stay at low heat so nothing burns.
- Boost The Flavor
- Sieve cocoa powder straight into the warm mix. Stir until fully blended. Add a tiny bit of salt to make the chocolate pop. Give it a taste and sweeten more if needed.
- Nail The Consistency
- Add your cornstarch mix while stirring. Keep moving that spoon as it gets thicker. Let it cook about 2-3 minutes until it sticks to your spoon. Take it off the heat when it looks right to you.
- Finish With Flair
- Pour into warm cups. Top with anything extra you like. Drink it right away while it's hot.
When I was a kid, hot chocolate meant those little packets with tiny marshmallows. Then I tried real Italian hot chocolate in Florence, and wow, it totally flipped my idea of what hot chocolate should be. The way it slowly dripped down the spoon, that knockout chocolate flavor - it blew my mind.
Pin it
This hot chocolate has turned into my go-to trick for making normal days feel fancy. Whether we're lazy in bed on Sunday or looking for something sweet after dinner, it always brings that bit of Italian magic straight to our table.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → What’s the purpose of cornstarch?
- It thickens the drink, giving it that rich, velvety texture Italian hot chocolate is known for.
- → Can I switch to non-dairy milk?
- Sure, almond or soy milk works great and keeps the texture smooth.
- → Which chocolate should I pick?
- Opt for dark chocolate with about 70% cacao for the richest taste.
- → Why mix cornstarch with cool milk first?
- Doing this stops clumps from forming and blends it smoothly into the drink.
- → How do I make it less sugary?
- Start with unsweetened cocoa and dark chocolate, then add a little sugar if needed.