Italian Hot Chocolate (Cioccolata Calda)

Italian Hot Chocolate (Cioccolata Calda) is incredibly rich and thick - almost like drinking pudding. Such a decadent drink!

Prep time: PT5M

Cook time: PT5M

Total time: PT10M

Rating

5 stars (2 reviews)

chocolate drink, quick recipe, winter drink

In a small saucepan, whisk together the ¾ cup of the milk, the cream and sugar. Set the saucepan over medium-low heat and cook until it starts to bubble around the edges.
While the milk mixture is heating, whisk together the remaining ¼ milk and the cornstarch until it is smooth. Once the milk mixture starts bubbling around the edges, add the milk and cornstarch mixture and whisk until it’s heated through, about 1 minute.
Add the the chopped chocolate and whisk together until it’s smooth and thick enough to coat a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, pour into mugs and serve with whipped cream if desired (this recipe filled two standard coffee mugs for me, but it's pretty rich, so I could definitely see only having a half cupful if you prefer). The drink will continue to thicken if it is left to sit off the heat.

Alicia on 2022-11-02 (5 stars):
Because I have cancer and muscle atrophy, I used double the cornstarch (0.5 gelatin for higher protein and less carbs) plus zero sugar and added 1.5 cups 2% milk to compensate for the Heavy Cream. One could use half & half, but Heavy cream I used 1.5 cups more milk. I was looking for an alternative to always drinking bone broth; Sometimes you want something sweet. If making this Italian warm/hot pudding for others as well as yourself, they can add a tsp at a time to achieve the sweetness your family and friends want, who don't have cancer.
Charlie on 2021-02-11 (5 stars):
This hot chocolate is thick and delicious! Love this as a dessert on a chilly evening.