0 from 9 votes
Thick Italian Hot Chocolate (Cioccolata Calda)
Dense, decadent, and creamy, nothing says winter in Italy like a rich cup of cioccolata calda – hot chocolate. Grab a cup and cozy up by the fire on a cold winter day!
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
5 mins
Total Time
15 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 240 kcal
Course:
Dessert , Drinks
Cuisine:
Italian
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk 500 ml
- 3.5 ounce dark chocolate, 50-75% cacao 100 g
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch or potato starch 15 g
- 3 tablespoons confectioners sugar 25 g
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Chop the dark chocolate into very small pieces.
- In a bowl mix together cornstarch (or potato starch) and powdered sugar. Set aside.
- Place the milk on low heat. When the milk is hot, but well before it starts to boil (about 3 minutes), add the corn starch and sugar mixture and start stirring, always in the same direction, avoiding the formation of lumps.
- Once bubbles start to form on the surface (about 4 minutes), add the chocolate and vanilla and mix until thick and creamy, about 1 minute). The starch will cause it to thicken even when removed from heat, so it's a good idea to remove the chocolate from the heat before it thickens completely (otherwise you run the risk of turning it into a spoon cake!).
- Pour it into two mugs and serve it warm. For a dash of decadence, add a dollop of whipped cream on top!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Make sure the milk is warm before you start adding the other ingredients.
- Keep the heat on low and stir frequently. Be careful not to burn the bottom.
- Do not allow the chocolate to thicken too much before removing it from heat.
- If chocolate clumps start to form, remove the mixture from heat and whisk vigorously until it is smooth again.
Nutrition Information
Calories
240kcal
(12%)
Carbohydrates
26g
(9%)
Protein
6g
(12%)
Fat
14g
(22%)
Saturated Fat
8g
(40%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.4g
Monounsaturated Fat
4g
Trans Fat
0.01g
Cholesterol
15mg
(5%)
Sodium
61mg
(3%)
Potassium
362mg
(10%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
12g
(24%)
Vitamin A
207IU
(4%)
Calcium
168mg
(17%)
Iron
3mg
(17%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 240
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 240kcal | 12% |
| Carbohydrates | 26g | 9% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 14g | 22% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 0.01g | 1% |
| Cholesterol | 15mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 61mg | 3% |
| Potassium | 362mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 207IU | 4% |
| Calcium | 168mg | 17% |
| Iron | 3mg | 17% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.