5 Ingredients or Fewer

Rich Venetian Hot Chocolate ~ The Hot Chocolate of Your Dreams

October 17, 2013
0
0 Ratings
  • Serves 2
Author Notes

I adapted this recipe from Michael Turback's recipe for Cioccolato Caldo found in his book Hot Chocolate.

It's meant to be served in smaller amounts. A little, or a lot, of whipped cream on top is how they serve it in Venice.

I make it with non-dairy, coconut milk beverage. Michael's recipe calls for regular, whole milk. Use whatever milk you fancy.

Use quality dark chocolate in this recipe. Lindt, Green and Blacks, Ghirardelli are all good brands that are readily available in most markets.

My Real Vanilla Bean Sugar (recipe on my blog) is wonderful in this recipe. But you can use regular white sugar too.

Cornstarch is the secret ingredient. A wee bit is mixed with water and added to the simmering chocolate, creating a thick and creamy cup of proper hot chocolate. Believe me, it works like a charm!

If you don't finish it, you can actually store it in an airtight container in the fridge for a day or two. Reheat in the microwave until warm. Stir a spoonful or two into your morning coffee for a delicious mocha.
Jilly Inspired

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Ingredients
  • 1 3.5 ounce bar of quality, dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces.
  • 1 cup of coconut milk beverage or regular whole milk. If you like it even darker and richer, use 3/4 cup of milk.
  • 1/4 teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with 2 teaspoons of water. (See notes)
  • 1 teaspoon of my vanilla sugar or regular white sugar. How much sugar you add is a matter of personal preference.
Directions
  1. Put the chopped chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave until chocolate melts. Be careful not to burn it. Stop and stir it a few times as you melt it in the microwave. Put the coconut milk or regular milk and sugar in a pot. Heat it on medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer. Add some of the milk to the melted chocolate and whisk to combine. Add the melted chocolate to the pot with the rest of the milk along with the cornstarch and water solution. Simmer for 3-5 minutes, whisking the whole time. The more you cook it the thicker and creamier it will be. Sip and Enjoy!

See what other Food52ers are saying.

6 Reviews

Kimberly January 4, 2016
This looks lovely and I would like to serve it a bridal shower I'm hosting in a few weeks. Do you think the recipe could be easily tripled?
Sophie December 13, 2013
Amazing! Thank you. Just got back from Venice and could not figure out how they did it!
Cookingly Y. October 19, 2013
aaaaa thank a lot for the cornstarch secret. I was always wondering, "how do they do it so thick?" - no matter how much chocolate I added it never got so thickly creamy lol
Jilly I. October 19, 2013
You're very welcome! I'm kind of obsessed with tips, techniques and secrets. After cooking for so many years, they really help recipes come out just right. Hope you enjoy it!
AntoniaJames October 17, 2013
Wow. This looks amazing. Definitely on the must-try soon list, to be made with thick homemade almond milk. Though that coconut milk sounds deliciously decadent! ;o)
Jilly I. October 18, 2013
Thanks Antonia, love seeing what you're going to do with my recipes. I'm sure the homemade almond milk will be just delicious! Let me know how it turns out. ;)