The THICKEST and CREAMIEST Hot Chocolate Recipe EVER! (2024)

FAQs

How do you make hot chocolate thicker? ›

Cornflour/Cornstarch: Mix a small amount with cold milk or water to create a smooth paste. Whisk this into your hot chocolate towards the end of the cooking process until it thickens. Double Cream: Stirring in a splash of double cream can instantly enrich and thicken your drink, giving it a velvety texture.

You may think something this decadent is made with heavy cream, but it's not! With real chocolate, cocoa powder, 2 percent milk, and cornstarch used to thicken it, this Cioccolato Caldo is much richer, and enjoyed in smaller quantities than American-style hot cocoa.

In mainland Europe (particularly Spain and Italy), hot chocolate is sometimes served very thick due to the use of a thickening agent such as cornstarch.

For instance, when chocolate comes into contact with even the smallest amount of water, it seizes. Similarly, if chocolate is overheated, it will become thick and lumpy.

There is less milk and sugar added, more chocolate or cocao. The result is similar in taste and consistency to a melted 80% dark chocolate bar. The best part is that hot chocolate is widely available wherever you want it, at almost every bar in Rome.

Angelina Hot Chocolate Paris

Order a cup of l'Africain, their creamy hot chocolate you have to literally drink with a spoon - and if it's not decadent enough, it comes with a pot of fresh cream on the side for you to step things up a notch.

Italy is another European country that loves its thick hot chocolate. Their version of hot chocolate uses heavy cream and milk like the French. But unlike the French, they go an extra step by adding cornstarch to thicken the mixture even more. The result is a pudding-like consistency that is still pourable.

The most significant difference is in the ingredients. Mexican hot chocolate uses various spices, including cinnamon, cloves, and ancho chili pepper.

What's the difference between hot chocolate and Belgian hot chocolate? ›

The thicker, richer hot chocolate is also called “drinking chocolate”. Belgian ​​hot chocolate is made using melted chocolate, characterized by less sweetness and a thicker consistency. It is made primarily using dark chocolate but also has some milk chocolate mixed in.

THE KEY TO ITALIAN HOT CHOCOLATE

It is made with a few key ingredients: cocoa, sugar, and milk. In some cases, a little dark chocolate and a thickening agent, such as cornstarch, are added as well. It can be served on its own or with a dollop of whipped cream.

Best Overall: Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa

If we had to pick one that would please the most people at a big gathering that included chocolate snobs, children, and you know, regular people, who don't think too hard about hot chocolate, this is it.

So, you can make your hot chocolate healthy by opting for cocoa powder, or a natural, high cocoa percentage drinking chocolate. Although cocoa powder isn't incredibly low in calories, health isn't just measured by this – keeping a healthy, happy body is far more important than calorie counting.

If the hot chocolate doesn't thicken, add a slurry of cornstarch and milk (dissolve ¼ teaspoon of cornstarch in a tablespoon of cold milk) to the hot chocolate and continue stirring over medium high heat until slightly thickened.

Ensure a higher ratio of chocolate to cream or use chocolate with a higher cocoa percentage. Allow ganache to cool at room temperature or chill briefly in the refrigerator to thicken. Gently reheat with more cream, stirring slowly to smooth out.

Want it thicker? Try adding a teaspoon for cornstarch before blending. Make it a Chocolate Milkshake by adding vanilla ice cream!

Cocoa butter is the best option as it's the natural fat present in chocolate. Alternatively, you can use a bit of vegetable oil or shortening. Start by adding just a small amount (a teaspoon for every 100 grams of chocolate should suffice), stir it in, and see if the chocolate is thin enough for your needs.