thick hot chocolate

this thick hot chocolate is the most luxurious, velvety chocolate drink you’ll ever make – rich, creamy, and almost pudding-like in consistency. topped with clouds of homemade whipped cream and chocolate shavings, this is the ultimate cozy indulgence for cold days.

why you will love this thick hot chocolate recipe

• incredibly rich and creamy – this isn’t your average hot chocolate. this thick hot chocolate drink recipe creates a drink that’s more like liquid velvet – rich creamy hot chocolate that coats your spoon and feels absolutely decadent. it’s similar to the famous thick italian chocolate drink or luxury thick hot chocolate you’d find at high-end chocolate shops.

• thick hot chocolate easy recipe from scratch – despite tasting like something from a fancy café, this homemade thick hot chocolate recipe uses simple ingredients you probably already have. no special thick hot chocolate mix needed – this thick hot chocolate drink comes together in just minutes on the stove.

• customisable to your taste – whether you want extra thick hot chocolate that’s almost pudding-like or prefer it slightly thinner, you can easily adjust the consistency. want thick dark hot chocolate? use dark chocolate and extra cocoa. prefer it sweeter? add more sugar. this recipe is your base for the perfect thick hot chocolate at home.

learn how to make thick hot chocolate at home

to make this thick hot chocolate from scratch, we’ll start by whisking together the dry ingredients- sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and a pinch of salt – in a saucepan. the cornstarch is the secret on how to thicken hot chocolate and create that luxurious, velvety texture.

next, we’ll gradually whisk in cold milk until the mixture is completely smooth with no lumps. this is important – adding the milk slowly prevents lumps from forming. then, we’ll make this thick hot chocolate on the stove – we’ll gently bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat, whisking constantly as it thickens. you’ll notice it transforms from liquid to a thick velvety hot chocolate that coats the back of a spoon.

once the mixture is thick and hot, we’ll remove it from the heat and add chopped real chocolate, whisking it in until it melts completely. this creates a very thick hot chocolate drink with layers of chocolate flavour from both the cocoa powder and the melted chocolate.

pour the thick velvety hot chocolate into mugs, and while the hot chocolate cools slightly, we’ll whip up some fresh cream to add on top. top the hot chocolate with generous dollops of whipped cream, and then add chocolate shavings or anything else that you like!

thick hot chocolate ingredients

• granulated sugar – you’ll need this to sweeten the hot chocolate. you can adjust the amount based on how sweet you like your hot chocolate.

• cocoa powder – i make this thick hot chocolate recipe with cocoa powder – use unsweetened cocoa powder for the best flavour. this is the base of the chocolate flavour in this thick hot chocolate drink. dutch-process cocoa will give you a smoother, less acidic flavour, while natural cocoa powder has a more intense chocolate taste.

• cornstarch – i make this thick hot chocolate with cornstarch or cornflour – it’s what makes this hot chocolate thick and creamy rather than thin and watery. you’ll need cornstarch for the thickness and that smooth, velvety texture.

• salt – just a pinch of salt enhances the chocolate flavour and balances the sweetness in this thick chocolate drink.

• milk – whole milk or full fat milk works best for the creamiest result, but you can make thick hot chocolate with oat milk or almond milk if you need a dairy-free option.

• chocolate – i like to make this thick hot chocolate recipe with chocolate bar flakes alongside the cocoa powder. adding finely chopped dark chocolate or milk chocolate adds richness and depth to the hot chocolate and creates the most luxurious flavour. i personally love a knoops thick hot chocolate and love to use the knoops 54% dark hot chocolate flakes, but you can use any kind of good quality chocolate and chop it up finely so that it can melt into the hot chocolate mix easily. i’d recommend using dark chocolate or semisweet and then adjusting the sugar to your preference – using milk chocolate might make the hot chocolate too sweet.

• heavy cream or double cream – i like to top my thick hot chocolate with heavy cream – just whip up some cold heavy cream to soft peaks and add on top of your hot chocolate before serving.

• powdered sugar or icing sugar – i just add a small amount of this to the cream when whipping and it helps sweeten the cream and hold its shape.

• vanilla extract – optional, but a small amount will add a nice, subtle vanilla flavour to the whipped cream. you can also add some of this to the hot chocolate if you like.

tools:

• medium saucepan or pot- for making the thick hot chocolate on the stove.

• whisk – essential for preventing lumps and creating a smooth, thick hot chocolate.

• small mixing bowl – for making the whipped cream.

• electric mixer – makes whipping cream easier, though you can whisk by hand if needed.

• mugs – for serving your thick hot chocolate!

step by step instructions

for full measurements, keep scrolling down to the recipe below.

step one: in a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt until well combined with no lumps.

step two: gradually whisk in the cold milk, a little at a time, until the mixture is completely smooth. make sure there are no lumps of cocoa powder or cornstarch.

step three: place the saucepan over medium heat. whisk constantly as the mixture heats up. allow the mixture to gently come to a boil. once it comes to a boil, lower the heat, making sure to whisk occasionally throughout. after a few minutes, you’ll notice the hot chocolate mixture starting to thicken. continue whisking until the mixture becomes thick and coats the back of a spoon, about 5-7 minutes total.

step four: once the mixture is thick and starting to bubble gently, remove from the pot from the heat. add the chopped chocolate and whisk it in until it’s completely melted and incorporated. the mixture should be a very thick hot chocolate at this point.

step five: pour the thick hot chocolate into mugs and let it cool slightly while you make the whipped cream to add on top.

step six: in a mixing bowl, combine the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar or icing sugar, and vanilla extract. beat with an electric mixer or whisk until it thickens up. the cream should be very soft, almost pourable.

step seven: add a generous dollop of whipped cream on top of each mug. then top with some extra chocolate flakes or some marshmallows for a beautiful finishing touch.

step eight: mix the whipped cream into the hot chocolate for a thick pudding like hot chocolate consistency and enjoy your thick velvety hot chocolate immediately while it’s still warm!

tips and notes

• whisk as much as you can while heating the mixture! this is crucial for preventing lumps and ensuring your thick hot chocolate turns out smooth and creamy. if you stop whisking, the cornstarch can clump.

• if your thick hot chocolate becomes too thick as it cools, simply whisk in a splash more milk until it reaches your preferred consistency. this thick hot chocolate drink naturally thickens as it sits.

• for very thick hot chocolate that’s even more pudding-like, add some extra cornstarch. for a thinner consistency, use slightly less cornstarch.

• try to use good quality cocoa powder and chocolate for the best flavour and texture. since these are the main flavours in this very thick hot chocolate recipe, quality ingredients make a noticeable difference.

• i’d recommend halving the recipe if you want to make this thick hot chocolate for one person – this hot chocolate is quite rich, so it would be difficult to drink a whole mug of it at once.

• store any leftover thick hot chocolate in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. reheat gently on the stove, whisking constantly and adding a splash of milk if needed to thin it out.

frequently asked questions

1. how is thick hot chocolate made and what makes it so thick ?

   – the secret to this thick hot chocolate is the cornstarch! cornstarch is a thickening agent that transforms regular hot chocolate into a thick, smooth, velvety drink. as the mixture heats, the cornstarch molecules absorb liquid and swell, creating that luxurious, almost pudding-like consistency.

2. is thick hot chocolate good ?

   – yes! the thick, creamy texture makes every sip feel more indulgent and luxurious compared to regular thinner hot chocolate. it’s like drinking a warm chocolate hug.

3. do you know how to make thick hot chocolate with hot chocolate mix instead of from scratch ?

   – to make thick hot chocolate using pre-made mix, prepare the hot chocolate according to package directions and add 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch mixed with a little cold milk, then heat on the stove while whisking until thickened. follow the rest of the instructions as stated in the recipe.

4. can i make this thick hot chocolate with almond milk or oat milk ?

   – yes, you can. simply replace the regular milk with your preferred non-dairy milk. the cornstarch will still thicken it but keep in mind that thinner non-dairy milks might result in a slightly less creamy texture than whole milk. there will also be some differences in taste.

5. is this thick hot chocolate recipe for one person ?

   – this very thick hot chocolate recipe makes one big mug of hot chocolate. this will likely be too rich for one person to drink at once, so i’d recommend halving the recipe and having a smaller portion if you just want a single serving!

6. do i have to make this thick hot chocolate with cream on top ?

   – no, you don’t. you can absolutely make this thick hot chocolate without cream – the whipped cream is completely optional. the thick hot chocolate is delicious and rich on its own, though the cream does add an extra layer of indulgence.

recipe