Cioccolata Calda (Thick Italian Hot Chocolate)
Local name: Cioccolata calda
In short: Thick, spoonable hot chocolate made with dark chocolate, milk and a little cornstarch, the way it is served in Italian cafes. Ready in 10 minutes. It takes about 13 min in total and makes 2 servings.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 8 min
- Total
- 13 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 450 kcal
Italian hot chocolate is nothing like the thin cocoa most people know. It is thick and glossy, close to a warm pudding, and drunk in small cups or eaten with a spoon. Dark chocolate and milk are heated with a little cornstarch, which thickens the drink as it simmers. Cafes in Turin, Rome and Milan serve it on cold winter days, often with a spoonful of whipped cream on top. Make it as thick as you like, and drink it slowly.
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with 4 tablespoons of the cold milk until smooth.
- Heat the remaining milk in a saucepan over medium heat with the sugar, cocoa and salt, whisking, until steaming but not boiling.
- Add the chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture again and pour it into the pan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly, for 2 to 3 minutes until the chocolate thickens to the texture of thin custard.
- Pour into small warm cups and top with a spoonful of whipped cream if you like. Serve right away.
Tips
- For a thicker drink, add another half tablespoon of cornstarch. For a lighter one, leave out the cornstarch and serve it as a simple melted chocolate milk.
- Flavor it with a strip of orange peel, a pinch of chili or a drop of vanilla while heating, and remove the peel before serving.
Questions and answers
Why is Italian hot chocolate so thick?
Cafes thicken it with cornstarch and use a high proportion of dark chocolate, so it behaves like a warm pudding. It is served in small cups because it is very rich.
Can I make cioccolata calda dairy-free?
Yes. Use oat or almond milk and dairy-free dark chocolate. Oat milk gives the creamiest result.
Can I make cioccolata calda ahead?
Yes. It keeps in the fridge for 2 days and sets like a pudding as it cools. Reheat it gently with a splash of milk, whisking until smooth.
How long does it take to make Cioccolata Calda (Thick Italian Hot Chocolate)?
About 13 min in total: 5 min of preparation and 8 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Cioccolata Calda (Thick Italian Hot Chocolate)?
About 450 kcal per serving, with 11 g of protein, 47 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 450 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 11 g |
| Carbohydrates | 47 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 36 g |
| Sodium | 130 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
