This rich, creamy hot chocolate is easy to make on the stovetop. Some melted, solid chocolate makes it more decadent without being overly sweet. Snuggle up and enjoy this special, yummy treat!
Recipe Inspiration
One very cold day last winter, as my husband and I explored the streets of Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal), we ducked into a coffee shop to warm up. That's where we had the richest, creamiest, most beautiful cup of liquid chocolate ever! My aim in developing this recipe was to recreate the memory without drinking a whole melted chocolate bar every time I made it.
I have long avoided dairy, but I'm starting to experiment with whole organic milk and cream again. This hot chocolate seems like a good reason to indulge!
Gather Your Ingredients
- Chocolate bar - I happened to have a Hershey's bar leftover from S'mores in my cupboard, but any better quality sweetened chocolate should be good
- Raw sugar - I use unrefined cane sugar, organic when I can get it, and in as small amounts as possible.
- Cocoa powder - unsweetened, 100% baking cocoa is what I tested in this recipe
- Tapioca starch - also known as tapioca flour
- Whole milk - It's important to use milk with the highest fat content available for the richest-tasting hot chocolate
- Heavy whipping cream - This topping is essential for the satisfying experience we're after
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Assemble your ingredients. Chop up the chocolate finely so it melts quickly. This doesn't take long if the chocolate is already at room temperature.
2. Add the cocoa powder, raw sugar, and tapioca starch to a medium-sized saucepan.
3. Whisk them together with just enough milk to make a smooth slurry without any lumps.
4. Stir in the remaining milk and cook, stirring constantly over medium heat until steam begins to rise.
5. Add the chocolate and stir until it has melted. Turn the heat down low. Keep the hot chocolate warm, but don't let it boil.
6. In a chilled container, whip the cold whipping cream with a little raw sugar until stiff, as seen in the picture.
7. Pour the hot chocolate into a warm mug. Top with whipped cream and enjoy!
7. If you wish, top the whipped cream with a little extra shaved chocolate to make it extra pretty!
Recipe Notes
Usually, I test several variations of a recipe. However, after making this several times just as it is, I don't want to change a thing.
Expert Tips
Do not allow the hot chocolate to come to a boil, or you'll get a nasty skin on top of it.
Serving Tips
This recipe makes enough hot chocolate for two, but you can easily double it to serve four. Plan to serve it as soon as you make it.
How to Prep Ahead
Since you'll want to enjoy the hot chocolate right away, there are a couple of things you can do to save time at the last minute.
- Measure out the milk and cream and keep them in the refrigerator.
- Measure the dry ingredients and store them together.
- Chop the chocolate.
Recipe FAQ's
What is the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa?
Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder, while hot chocolate contains melted, solid chocolate and gives a more decadent mouth feel.
Helpful Equipment
You probably have everything you need to make this recipe: a knife, a saucepan, measuring cups and spoons, and a whisk. An electric hand mixture will whip up the cream easily.
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Recipe
Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1½ ounce milk chocolate bar sweetened, such as Hersheys
- 2½ teaspoons raw sugar divided
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons tapioca starch
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- shaved chocolate for garnish optional
Instructions
- Chop the chocolate up finely.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, whisk together 2 teaspoons sugar, (Save ½ tsp. for the whipped cream), tapioca starch, and cocoa powder. Then pour in just a little milk and whisk until you have a smooth slurry with no lumps.
- Stir in the remaining milk. Set the pan on medium heat. Stir constantly until it gets steamy. Don't let it boil.
- Stir in the chopped chocolate until it melts.
- Keep the milk warm while you whip the cream with ½ teaspoon sugar.
- Pour the hot chocolate into 2 warm mugs and top each with whipped cream.Add a little shaved chocolate for garnish, if you wish.
Cathy Brak says
We love this drink everytime I make it!