Description
Rich Italian hot chocolate melts hearts with its velvety smooth texture and intense chocolate flavor. Creamy warmth from Milan’s cafes invites pure indulgence and comfort in each luxurious sip.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk
- ½ cup (85 g) dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher), finely chopped
- 2 tbsps (15 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tbsps (25 g) granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp (8 g) cornstarch
- 1 pinch of salt
- whipped cream (optional)
- chocolate shavings (optional)
- marshmallows (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Whisk cornstarch with a minimal amount of milk until achieving a seamless, silky blend without any lumps, forming a smooth thickening foundation.
- Milk Infusion: In a medium saucepan, gently warm milk over moderate heat, ensuring it steams without reaching a boiling state, creating a warm liquid base.
- Flavor Development: Integrate cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and a subtle salt sprinkle into the warming milk, stirring meticulously until all ingredients dissolve completely, developing a robust chocolate essence.
- Chocolate Integration: Reduce heat to a gentle simmer, fold in finely chopped dark chocolate, stirring consistently until the chocolate melts uniformly, transforming the mixture into a glossy, velvety liquid.
- Thickening Process: Gradually pour the cornstarch mixture into the chocolate base, whisking persistently to prevent ingredient separation and ensure a smooth, consistent texture.
- Final Refinement: Maintain low heat, continuing to stir for 2-3 minutes until the hot chocolate reaches a luxurious, pudding-like consistency that elegantly coats a spoon.
- Serving Presentation: Pour the decadent hot chocolate into prewarmed mugs, garnishing with a lavish crown of whipped cream, scattered marshmallows, or delicate chocolate shavings for an ultimate sensory experience.
Notes
- Control Milk Temperature: Heat milk slowly and carefully, ensuring it steams without boiling to maintain smooth texture and prevent scorching or skin formation.
- Prevent Lumpy Texture: Whisk cornstarch thoroughly with a small milk portion before adding to the mixture, creating a silky smooth base that prevents unwanted clumps.
- Choose Quality Chocolate: Use high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content for intense flavor and rich, glossy consistency in the final hot chocolate.
- Customize Consistency: Adjust cornstarch quantity slightly to achieve desired thickness – less for a thinner drink, more for an ultra-thick, pudding-like texture that clings to the spoon.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Drinks, Snacks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg