Italian Hot Chocolate, also known as Cioccolata Calda, is a classic recipe for a delicious hot cocoa that’s thick and sweet. One spoonful and you’ll agree that this is the best hot chocolate recipe out there!

Italian Hot Chocolate in a glass mug with whipped cream and a spoon.

Italian Hot Chocolate is known for its thick and rich texture. This cold weather treat is great for sipping, using to dunk biscotti, or you can eat it with a spoon. It’s unlike any hot chocolate you’ve ever had! 

If you love chocolatey treats, don’t miss my Chocolate Pudding Cookies or Italian Chocolate Almond Cookies. For a delicious sweet to serve alongside your hot cocoa, be sure to try these Shortbread Cookie Bars or my Cranberry Almond Biscotti

You’ll Love Italian Hot Chocolate!

Italian style hot chocolate is a truly memorable experience. It’s simple to make, has the most glorious taste and texture, and is perfect for chocolate lovers!

This Cioccolata Calda is different that the American version of hot chocolate as it has a thick pudding-like consistency and is made from scratch without hot cocoa mix. 

While this may seem like an indulgent treat, it’s actually very simple to make and not much different than standard hot chocolate mix. What makes it so memorable is the addition of cornstarch to give it that thick and rich consistency. 

Italian hot chocolate in a glass mug with whipped cream on top.

You’re going to love the taste and texture of this delicious hot chocolate milk recipe that’s best served in small cups with a spoon. Topped with a little whipped cream, and it’s a great treat for colder months or any time of year. 

So, if you love thick chocolatey treats, then you have to give this creamy Italian Hot Chocolate recipe a try! One taste and you’ll be hooked. 

Ingredients

Ingredients including cocoa powder, cornstarch, milk, and sugar.
  • Milk: use any milk you like for this recipe. I prefer 2% or whole milk, but you could even do almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or skim milk. 
  • Cocoa Powder: to give that rich flavor, you’ll need unsweetened cocoa powder, like Hershey’s. 
  • Sugar: use a bit of granulated sugar to sweeten up the hot chocolate. 
  • Corn Starch: cornstarch is the secret ingredient for making thick Italian Hot Chocolate. You can substitute potato starch instead. 
  • Chocolate: use a good quality dark chocolate for this recipe if you have it. I like to use 70% cocoa bars. You can substitute with whatever kind of chocolate you have on hand such as milk chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, or chocolate chips.
  • Whipped Cream (optional): top with a dollop of canned whipped cream or make your own with heavy cream. Sprinkle on chocolate shavings if you’d like too! 

How to Make Italian Hot Chocolate

This thick Italian Hot Chocolate recipe, or Cioccolata Caldo, comes together fast. All you need is a small saucepan and a whisk. 

Process shots showing how to make recipe including heating milk in saucepan and adding in other ingredients.

Step 1: heat the milk

In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium-low heat. Remove a ¼ cup of the milk and set aside. 

Step 2: whisk in chocolate

Add in the chopped chocolate, cocoa powder, and sugar. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and the hot cocoa comes to a simmer. 

Step 3: whisk in the cornstarch

​In a separate small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and ¼ cup of milk. Add the cornstarch mixture to the hot cocoa mixture and whisk until thickened. 

Step 4: top with whipped cream

This last step is optional but adds a pretty finish. Pour the hot chocolate into small cups and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings or dust with a little cocoa powder.

Serve this thick and rich homemade hot chocolate recipe immediately. If your cocoa gets a film on top, just whisk it until well combined. 

Recipe Tips

  • A little bit of this Italian Hot Chocolate goes a long way! I recommend serving it in an espresso cup with a spoon on the side. 
  • This recipe is best served immediately. If your hot chocolate starts to form a film on top, just whisk it in. 
  • To make this a boozy hot chocolate, whisk in a bit of Irish Cream or brandy. 
Italian hot chocolate in a glass mug with whipped cream on top.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is Italian Hot Chocolate Different? 

Italian hot chocolate is typically thicker and more indulgent than American hot chocolate. It is often made with high-quality real chocolate and corn starch, resulting in a rich and velvety texture, while American hot chocolate is generally lighter and sweeter, often made with cocoa powder and sweeteners.

Cioccolata Calda in a glass mug with whipped cream on top.

More Classic Italian Recipes

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or review in the comments section further down the page.

Italian hot chocolate recipe.

Italian Hot Chocolate (Cioccolata Calda)

Italian Hot Chocolate, also known as Cioccolata Calda, is a classic recipe for a delicious hot cocoa that's thick and sweet. One spoonful and you'll agree that this is the best hot chocolate recipe out there!
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Italian Hot Chocolate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 292kcal

Equipment

  • small saucepan

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups milk, divided (2% or whole milk)
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 5 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (about 70% cacao)
  • 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (sifted)
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • whipped cream for topping (optional)

Instructions

  • Pour 1 ¼ cups of milk into a small saucepan. Place the remaining ¼ milk into a small bowl and whisk in the cornstarch, set aside.
  • Heat the milk over medium-low heat and whisk in the dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and sugar. Continue mixing until mixture comes to a low simmer.
  • While whisking, add in the cornstarch mixture and continue to mix until the hot chocolate thickens and returns to a low simmer.
  • Immediately pour the Italian hot chocolate into your serving cups (I recommend using small cups). Top with whipped cream if using and serve with a spoon.

Notes

  • A little bit of this Italian Hot Chocolate goes a long way! I recommend serving it in an espresso cup with a spoon on the side. 
  • This recipe is best served immediately. If your hot chocolate starts to form a film on top, just whisk it in. 
  • To make this a boozy hot chocolate, whisk in a bit of Irish Cream or brandy. 

Nutrition

Calories: 292kcal | Carbohydrates: 30g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 50mg | Potassium: 434mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 104IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 137mg | Iron: 5mg
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!
5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




One Comment

  1. Love, loved this recipe. I did add a teaspoon of Organic cold pressed EVO, only for health benefits. Thank you for sharing!