The THICKEST and CREAMIEST Hot Chocolate Recipe EVER! (2024)

FAQs

How do I make my hot chocolate thicker? ›

If the hot chocolate doesn't thicken, add a slurry of cornstarch and milk (dissolve ¼ teaspoon of cornstarch in a tablespoon of cold milk) to the hot chocolate and continue stirring over medium high heat until slightly thickened.

Hot chocolate in Italy often has an almost pudding-like texture – lightweight espresso spooons sometimes even stand upright in the cup. Instead of water and powder, it's made with real pieces of chocolate, sugar, and milk. It's melted in special machines that mix the chocolate constantly to avoid burning and lumps.

In mainland Europe (particularly Spain and Italy), hot chocolate is sometimes served very thick due to the use of a thickening agent such as cornstarch.

It's believed that the origins of hot chocolate, or rather its earliest version, can be traced back to around 500 BC in the regions of present-day Mexico. The ancient Mayans, a civilisation with an advanced understanding of agriculture and astronomy, were one of the first to cultivate the cacao tree.

Ingredients For Thick Hot Chocolate

Whole milk: To make your hot chocolate rich and creamy, you want the fat from whole milk. Do not use skim or low fat. Chocolate: You want the best high-quality chocolate you can afford as you'll taste the difference.

The cornstarch version thickened quickly, making the hot chocolate very thick and creamy, and in the end we decided on a combination of cornstarch and confectioner's sugar, for the ideal texture and sweetness.

Marshmallows: The Unsung Hero

Believe it or not, the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate is none other than marshmallows. These fluffy, sweet confections are the unsung heroes of the hot chocolate world, adding a delightful creaminess and hint of sweetness that takes the drink to a whole new level.

But not just any chocolate: A cup of thick and rich French chocolat chaud. This exquisite blend of butter, melted chocolate, and whole milk doesn't resemble anything similar to the murky, watery hot chocolate we're used to in America.

French hot chocolate, or chocolat chaud, is similar to the Italian version in that it has a very strong cocoa flavor. Several gourmet hot cocoa recipes include brown sugar for a complex, deep sweetness, while some contain only milk and chocolate! In comparison, ciocolatta calda stands out in its richness and thickness.

Chiles, nuts, and spices can also be worked into the mix, resulting in a complex, intense flavor. Besides its added ingredients, Mexican chocolate also has a more rustic texture than many other styles of chocolate.

What is the most popular hot chocolate in the world? ›

Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

We'd be remiss not to include Swiss Miss in our taste test because when it comes to hot chocolate mix, it's by far the most well-loved.

Best Overall: Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa

This cocoa has a huge, rounded chocolatey flavor without leaning too heavily on any bittersweet notes or getting too heavy or rich.

It Started in Mexico

As early as 500 BC, the Mayans were drinking chocolate made from ground-up cocoa seeds mixed with water, cornmeal, and chili peppers (as well as other ingredients)—a much different version from the hot chocolate we know today.

Marshmallows first came into the picture in 1917, when the company Angelus Marshmallows published a recipe for hot cocoa topped with their product. (In another genius marketing move, the company also hitched its wagon to sweet potatoes with a recipe for the side dish that has since become a Thanksgiving staple.)

The Mayans called the drink “chocolhaa” (“bitter water”) and Aztecs called it “Xocolatl.” From those words eventually evolved the word “chocolate.” Cacao was used in special celebrations such as those for funeral rituals, war, or harvests.

If the recipe uses cocoa powder, I'll use two teaspoons of cornstarch. Add the cornstarch directly to the small amount of liquid and stir it until dissolved. Once the pot of liquid begins to boil, stir in the cornstarch slurry. The milk will thicken slightly within 10 to 20 seconds.

Add more chocolate

Therefore, the texture becomes more runny and liquid-like. Therefore, our chefs recommend you to add chopped chocolate into the ganache to thicken it back. If you are using chocolate coins, then you don't need to chop it up.

Add thickening powder as required. Hot, milky drinks, such as Horlicks, hot chocolate or Ovaltine, thicken well. If you do not like milk, try the hot drink sachets where you just add boiling water. These also thicken well.

Want it thicker? Try adding a teaspoon for cornstarch before blending. Make it a Chocolate Milkshake by adding vanilla ice cream!