Italian Thick Hot Chocolate

Sep 10, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Drinks Drinks beverages Vanilla: Extract Easy

A steaming mug of italian thick hot chocolate on a saucer, rich and glossy, with its toppings

A rich, velvety Italian-style hot chocolate thickened with cornstarch and infused with pure vanilla and dark chocolate for a luscious, spoonable treat.

Prep 5 min

Cook 5 min

Total 10 min

Servings 2

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

2.0 cups (480.0 ml)whole milk
4.0 oz (114.0 g)bittersweet or semisweet dark chocolate, finely chopped
2.0 tbsp (25.0 g)granulated sugar
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
1.0 tbsp (8.0 g)cornstarch
pinch of fine sea salt

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with about 1/4 cup (60 ml) of the milk until completely smooth and set aside.
In a medium saucepan, combine the remaining milk, finely chopped dark chocolate, sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of fine sea salt.
Heat the mixture over medium-low heat, stirring frequently until the chocolate melts and the mixture is warm but not boiling.
Slowly whisk in the cornstarch slurry and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the hot chocolate thickens to a creamy, custard-like consistency, about 3 to 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and pour into mugs. Serve immediately for a rich, thick, spoonable hot chocolate experience.

Tips

Use good-quality dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa for an authentic flavor.
Stir continuously when adding the cornstarch slurry to prevent lumps and ensure smooth thickening.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make italian thick hot chocolate?

Plan on 5 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking. The recipe makes 2 servings.

How should I store italian thick hot chocolate?

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently over low heat, stirring frequently to restore thickness.

Can I make italian thick hot chocolate ahead?

Prepare the cornstarch slurry and keep it chilled until ready to use; the hot chocolate is best served freshly made.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

A rich, velvety Italian-style hot chocolate thickened with cornstarch and infused with pure vanilla and dark chocolate for a luscious, spoonable treat.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 2 servings this recipe makes.

244 Calories / serving

8.2g Fat

34.3g Carbs

7.9g Protein

31.4g Sugar

Whole recipe (2 servings): ~488 cal · 16g fat · 69g carbs · 16g protein · 63g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 244 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 46 min·2.7 mi·~5400 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 33 min·1.7 mi·~3300 steps
Moderate cycling 25 min·5.0 mi
Swimming laps 34 min
Jogging 24 min·2.0 mi·~3850 steps
Stair climbing 23 min·~2050 steps
Dancing 40 min
Bodyweight circuit training 25 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 57 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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