Italian Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe (2024)

Italian hot chocolate, also known as "cioccolata calda” (italian)is a rich and indulgent hot drink which is light but super creamy that feels almost like a dessert.

You can make it from scratch or prepare this Italian hot chocolate mix and make it anytime you’re craving something warm, creamy and chocolate-y.

Unlike traditional hot chocolate or hot cocoa, Italian hot chocolate is thick, with intense chocolate flavor.

It’s served in a cup and you eat it with a spoon.

A few spoons of hot chocolate mix and a glass of milk is all you need to make the creamiest thick Italian hot chocolate literally on demand.

Store it in airtight container and use when needed.

Hot chocolate mix makes a unique holiday gift. You can even download custom-made Hot Chocolate Christmas tags below!

Ingredients

See Also

Quick & Easy Hot Fudge Recipe | Old Salt FarmUltra Creamy 4-Ingredient Vegan Hot Chocolate RecipePolar Express Hot Chocolate RecipeThe BEST vegan eggnog recipe

• Cocoa powder – high quality dutch cocoa powder with 22/24% cocoa butter content is the KEY for having truly the best Italian hot chocolate just like as you would have had it in Italy on a cold winter day. Use any brand that you prefer, but make sure it says 22/24 on the package.
• Sugar - granulated white sugar. We’re using minimum amount but when you cook hot chocolate you can always add a little more to taste.
• Vanilla sugar - adds extra flavor and don’t recommend omitting it! If you cannot find vanilla sugar, use the same amount of white sugar PLUS 1.5 gram (3 packets) of vanilla powder. If using a different brand read directions on the package.
• Salt - essential for the perfect balance of flavors.
• Cornstarch - the thickener. I love how you can use non-gmo organic cornstarch when you make your own hot chocolate mix.

How To Make - Step By Step

• Add all ingredients in a large bowl.
  If using a kitchen scale (which I highly recommend) place a large bowl directly on the scale, hit zero or tare button to make sure the scale shows zero then add the first ingredient. Hit zero (tare) again before adding the next ingredient.

• Mix with a whisk or spatula until all ingredients are well combined.

• Place Italian hot chocolate mix in an airtight jar and store in the pantry.

EXTRA TIPS

• Use a kitchen scale. It will guarantee you the best (precise) result. With a kitchen scale you can easily half, double or triple the recipe PLUS you’ll measure everything in one bowl.
• Dutch cocoa. Don’t set for anything of a mediocre quality. Use 22/24 dutch cocoa (explained below).
• Sift cocoa and cornstarch. If cocoa and cornstarch were store properly (airtight) most likely you won't even need to sieve them. But I still recommend sifting both cocoa and cornstarch to avoid to having to deal with lumps later!

Make It Your Own (Flavorings & Toppings)

This hot chocolate mix is perfectly balanced. It's not too sweet so you can enjoy hot chocolate with its pure flavor or add optional toppings with a little extra sweetness.

• Condensed milk - adds a little sweet and extra milky flavor, top once hot chocolate is poured in a cup. Probably my favorite flavor!
• Caramel - or dulce de leche (essentially cooked condensed milk). Easy and delicious flavoring, Add a tiny pinch of Maldon salt for salty caramel flavor.
• Syrups (any syrup you use as flavoring for coffee) - add to the pot once hot chocolate is ready.
• Orange zest - orange and chocolate is a match made in heaven. Add a few organic orange peels to the pot in the beginning of cooking and remove before serving. Ideally it would be best to warm up milk with orange zest until well warm let sit for 5 minutes, remove orange zest and proceed preparing hot chocolate as in the recipe.
• Hot pepper - another classic but less popular chocolate flavor.
• Piatcchio (or hazelnut) cream - whisk in a teaspoon at the end of cooking,
• Chocolate - if you wish you can melt in a small pieced of dark chocolate or milk chocolate. I never do as this hot chocolate mix is perfectly balanced (if you’ve followed the recipe of course).
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, all spice etc - warm spices of your choice. Add in the beginning of cooking.
• Marshmallows - will perfectly melt into hot chocolate.
• Whipped cream - a classic that never gets old.

Full Recipe

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