Every season comes with its own cravings and some must-try food items and beverages. Winter, for example, is all about warm and comforting treats like Italian hot chocolate.

While I enjoy hot chocolate in any form, Cioccolata Calda, also known as Italian hot chocolate, is so good it makes me forget every other kind even exists. Thick and full of creamy deliciousness, this one comes with an almost pudding-like thick texture- and you guys know I have a serious soft spot for treats like this!

Unlike regular hot chocolate that’s made with pre-mixed packets or simple cocoa powder, Cioccolata Calda uses dark chocolate(my favorite kind!) that intensifies the taste. With just a dash of added sugar, this hot beverage really lets the delicious flavor of the chocolate shine through while the sweetness takes a back seat!

Italian Hot Chocolate in a serving cup — Italian Hot Chocolate

Still wondering if it’s worth a try?

Take a leap of faith in this Italian classic, and with just one sip, you will realize it’s not just a hot drink- it’s a rich and delicious dessert in a cup!

Topping Ideas For Making Italian Hot Chocolate

Apart from whipped cream and chocolate shavings that are used in today’s recipe, there are plenty of other toppings available for elevating your Cioccolata Calda! Here are a few of the toppings you can experiment with:

Marshmallows

Want more texture in your hot chocolate? Mini marshmallows were invented just for this reason!

Marshmallows bring a chewy and slightly sweet flavor to your hot chocolate drink. For an extra treat, try toasting the marshmallows before adding them on top of your chocolate drink.

Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe Ingredients on a surface — Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe Ingredients

Crushed Cookies

Crushed cookies or biscotti are a fantastic addition to the Italian hot chocolate. The crunch of the biscuits or cookies pairs nicely with hot chocolate and adds a delicious texture to every sip!

Nuts

Another crunchy addition is crushed nuts like almonds, hazelnuts or pistachios. These varieties are perfect for complementing the rich and intense flavor of dark chocolate used in this drink, balancing the creaminess with a nutty flavor in every sip!

Caramel Drizzle

There’s hardly anything better than a dark chocolate and caramel pairing, if you ask me!

You can drizzle hot caramel sauce over the whipped cream in your chocolate drink or swirl it directly into the drink for a sweet, buttery finish. For a salted caramel version, sprinkle some sea salt over the caramel and enjoy a delicious combination of sweet, bitter, and salty!

Italian Hot Chocolate in a serving cup with a spoon

Italian Hot Chocolate (Cioccolata Calda)

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 5

Total Time 10

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Enjoy this winter with a little something more than your regular hot beverage. The Italian hot chocolate is the perfect way to cozy up and pass those chilly days!

Ingredients

For Cornstarch Slurry

▢ 1 tbsp / 8 g Cornstarch
▢ ¼ cup / 60 ml Milk

For Hot Chocolate Base

▢ ½ cup / 60 g Semi-Sweet Dark Chocolate
▢ 1 cup / 237 ml Milk
▢ 3 tbsp / 18 g Cocoa Powder
▢ 2 tbsp / 25 g Sugar
▢ ⅛ tsp / ⅛ tsp Salt

For Garnish

▢ Whipped Cream
▢ Chocolate Shavings

Equipments

Instructions

Prepare Cornstarch Slurry

Take a small mixing bowl and add 1 tbsp of cornstarch to it.
Pour ¼ cup of milk into the bowl with the cornstarch.
Use a spoon to stir the mixture well until the cornstarch dissolves. Set the bowl aside for later use.

Chop The Chocolate

Place a semi-sweet dark chocolate bar on a chopping board.
Using a sharp knife, chop the chocolate bar into small pieces to get about ½ cup of chopped chocolate.
Transfer the chopped chocolate to a small bowl to use later.

Heat Milk and Cocoa

Place a cooking pot on the stove over medium heat.
Pour 1 cup of whole milk into the pot.
Sift 3 tbsp of cocoa powder through a sieve into the milk. Use the back of the spoon to gently press down on the cocoa powder to make sure it sifts smoothly.

Add Sugar, Salt and Mix

Add 2 tbsp of sugar and ⅛ tsp of salt into the mixture.
Use a whisk to stir all the ingredients together until the cocoa powder is completely dissolved.

Melt Chocolate and Thicken The Mixture

Add the dark chocolate you chopped earlier into the saucepan. Whisk the mixture until the chocolate fully melts.
Pour the cornstarch slurry into the pot to thicken the chocolate mixture and stir continuously until it’s smooth and reaches your desired consistency.

Garnish, Serve and Enjoy!

Once the hot chocolate is thick and creamy, remove the pot from the heat and pour it into a mug.
Add a generous dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle chocolate shavings over the cream as garnish.
Serve immediately and enjoy a delicious Italian hot chocolate with your favorite cookies!

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Nutrition Facts (Click to view) Hide

Nutrition Facts

*This calculation is done by assumption calculated by an API. Please use our nutrition information just to get an idea about the recipe, consult a nutritionist if you need exact nutrition information.

Tried this recipe?

Bet you are surprised at how easy it was to make! Even though this Italian hot chocolate tastes so rich and delicious, the preparation is quite simple and straightforward. With just a few basic ingredients like sugar, milk, cornstarch, and dark chocolate – you will have an Italian classic drink in your cup!

I hope you have enjoyed this delicious hot chocolate recipe and that it becomes the newest addition to your drink menu this winter.

Recipe FAQs

Can I Use Cocoa Powder Instead Of Dark Chocolate?

While you certainly can use cocoa powder, dark chocolate gives the drink its signature rich and bold taste that will be missing if you try any alternatives.

Can I Serve Italian Hot Chocolate Chilled?

That’s actually not a bad idea! With the creamy and thick texture of the Italian hot chocolate, it will make a delicious treat even when served cold!

How Can I Reheat My Creamy Italian Hot Chocolate Recipe?

You can reheat the leftovers in a saucepan on low heat on the stove or microwave it for a few seconds.