Italian Hot Chocolate {Cioccolata Calda}

This recipe is from La Cucina Prima Donna.

The most incredibly rich, decadent hot chocolate I have ever tasted … it seriously tastes like melted chocolate! My daughter and I discovered our tummies weren’t used to such richness, though, so we thinned it with some low-fat milk and re-warmed our mugs. I left the recipe in its original form, so you can experience the true Italian richness if you wish. If you find it too rich, you can always add milk.

I know, it might seem a little strange to be drinking hot chocolate in April, but we are having a most unusual spring here. The ice storm last week was followed by a big snowstorm and the kids got an unprecedented 3 days off from school last week. My daughter had decided she definitely wanted this rich hot chocolate for her birthday party before we even heard about the storm though … she looooves a good hot chocolate.

If you’re going to drink it full strength, you may want to serve this rich, decadent beverage in small espresso mugs. Just sayin’!

Italian Hot Chocolate {Cioccolata Calda}

• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 ½ cups of whole milk
• 1 Tablespoon of fat free half & half (or cream)
• 4 ounces of good quality chocolate (she recommends 70% or higher, but we used semi-sweet for my girl because she doesn’t like her hot chocolate too dark)
• 2 teaspoons of sugar
• 2 Tablespoons of corn starch
• For the top: whipped light cream

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Instructions

1. In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the milk and cream to hot but not boiling.
2. Add in the chocolate and sugar and whisk until the chocolate is melted.
3. Remove the pan from the heat momentarily to take about 1/2 cup of the liquid and whisk together with the cornstarch until smooth.
4. Put the pan back on the heat, add the cornstarch mixture back into the rest of the chocolatey liquid in a thin stream, whisking constantly. Cook for a couple minutes longer, whisking constantly, until the mixture is super creamy.
5. Pour into mugs, top with whipped cream and serve.

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Notes

RECIPE SOURCE: http://www.sumptuousspoonfuls.com/

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This recipe was shared at Tasty Thursday, Thursday’s Treasures, Weekend Potluck, Scrumptious Sunday, Mop it Up Monday, Melt in your Mouth Monday, Everyday Mom’s Meals and Farm Girl Blogfest.