This hot chocolate isn’t for the faint of heart. It is rich, thick, and full of real chocolate. This is the kind of hot chocolate you make when you want to truly indulge!
I grew up watching Willy Wonka and coveting a swim in his chocolate river. I wanted to glide through that river of chocolate, taking large gulps along the way. Friends, I have found my personal chocolate river. This hot chocolate is the most decadent I can imagine. It is thick, but not overly so, making it glide down and coat your throat with chocolate. Amazingly enough this is also great cold. It might even be better. I’m always torn whether to drink my whole glass while it is hot, or save some so I can have it the next morning cold. You too can be torn whether to swim luxuriously through this river of hot or cold chocolate!
Feel free to alter the kind of chocolate chips you use. Some prefer all milk chocolate, while others prefer it to be quite dark. Mix and match for your perfect taste.
Decadently Thick Italian Hot Chocolate
Decadently Thick Italian Hot Chocolate
Cook Time
Time to Make It
This hot chocolate isn't for the faint of heart. It is rich, thick, and full of real chocolate. This is the kind of hot chocolate you make when you want to truly indulge!
Author: Rachel Farnsworth
Yield: Serves 2 to 4
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons to 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cups milk
- 4 tablespoons sugar
- 1 cup chopped chocolate or chocolate chips
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium saucepan over low heat.
- Whisk in cornstarch until combined and melty. If you want the hot chocolate thicker, use the maximum amount of cornstarch.
- Add in milk and sugar. Increase the heat gradually to medium-high. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Mixture will start to thicken.
- Once the mixture begins to thicken, turn the heat down to low and add in the chocolate chips. Stir constantly until well melted.
- Serve hot. Keep the leftovers because it is also amazing, if not better cold!
Notes
For this recipe, you can adjust the darkness of the chocolate by what kind of chocolate you put in. I like to do a mixture of semi-sweet and milk chocolate, but you can go lighter with all milk chocolate, or darker with a combination of semi-sweet and bittersweet.
COOKING LESSON
When it comes to heating milk, gentle and slow is the way to go. If milk gets too much heat, or heats to quickly it can scorch. Yes, you can burn milk and it is pretty gross. Stirring constantly helps prevent scorching because it keeps the liquid flowing so that none of it should be touching the sides of the pan long enough for scorching to occur.
More Decadent Chocolate Recipes:
Jennifer from The Craft Patch says
Just made it. Oh, yum! This stuff could really be dangerous. I think I am in chocolate heaven!
Anonymous says
OMG! This looks yummy! Can I bathe in it?
Anonymous says
Just made it and it is delicious, but much too rich for anything more than a few sips!
Anonymous says
instead of cornstarch what could i use ?
Rachel Farnsworth says
You could use flour, but there would be a distinct "flour" taste. Uncommon thickening agents like arrowroot flour or rice flour would also work, but the result would not be the same.
Cammie says
Would tapioca work?
Rachel Farnsworth says
Possibly. I have never tried it so I can't vouch for it as a thickener in this recipe. If you try it, let me know how it turned out!
Karen Powell says
I'm thinking tapioca starch/flour also……must go try this…….we can diet next week, right?
Sydney @ Tastefully Frugal says
Oh my goodness this looks so good! Definitely like the chocolate river in Willy Wonka! Making it this weekend for sure!!
Tastes Better From Scratch says
Yum! I want to make churros and dip them in this!
Analida's Ethnic Spoon says
Rachel, I have been looking for such a recipe for a long time. I remember drinking this type of hot chocolate when I visited my cousin in Spain. Thanks for bringing back such great memories. I agree with Tastes Better From Scratch, I need to make churros.
Michelle @ My Gluten-free Kitchen says
I loooooove hot chocolate, and the more chocolate-y the better! Have to try this version!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
This sounds absolutely amazing, Rachel – can't wait to give it a try!
Hannah P. says
This is literally the thickest hot chocolate I've ever had. It tastes (and feels) exactly like hot brownie batter
Kim - Liv Life says
Oh my chocolate heaven!! So… my family can't have dairy, but I can. Would I be a terrible mother if I made this all for myself?? 😉 Pure and total love!!
Chandra Sirois says
I think that I am in love! So going to make this for Christmas this year!
Cotter Crunch says
that chocolate.. it needs to appear in my house soon. Totally suitable for breakfast drink, right?
Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
This is some seriously delicious looking Hot Chocolate! I love how thick it is!
Sandy says
My mom made her Italian hot chocolate every Christmas. I never had the recipe, but I am sure yours is very close to hers.I'm pinning your recipe and serving it next Christmas. Thank you and a Happy and Healthy 2016.
Beck Bakes says
Wow! I am a serious chocoholic, so I can't wait to try this. I mean, it seriously looks like just melted chocolate. Yum!
Alicja says
So delicious! I made this with 2 bars of chocolate, not chips, ‘couse it’s not easy to find in my country. With homemade whipped cream is soooo delicious. Thank you 🙂
GN Images says
😮 Wow! I’m speechless. Yum!!
Jennifer says
Can I use unsweetened cocoa powder? And if so, would the measurement still be one cup?
Rachel Farnsworth says
I wouldn’t recommend it. The result would be quite different.
Caren says
Try adding a little mint extract for a wonderful mint hot chocolate..amazing!!!
Lyhh says
My family said, It was like HEAVEN!” Best ever for Christmas by fireside! FIREPIT OUTSIDE IN FALL TOO! Yummmmmmmmy🍮
Gisele says
Ohhh I will try it in my new Cafetiere hot chocolste maker:):)