European-Style Hot Chocolate
Indulge in this thick, rich European-style hot chocolate. Only a few ingredients and mere seconds stand between you and the most luxurious treat you’ve ever warmed your palms around.
Have you guys ever heard of this? The hot chocolate in European countries like Spain and Belgium is NOTHING like hot chocolate as we know it, here in the States.
No no no.
When I think of American hot chocolate, I’m picturing a dusty powder, dumped from a foil packet into some hot water, with a few stingy little marshmallows floating around in the thin, sugary brown liquid.
The European-style hot chocolate I savored while in Spain was a complete epiphany. Thick, almost pudding-like, and exploding with intense chocolate flavor.
Guess what? It’s so super simple to make. It literally takes seconds. And once you’ve tried it, you’ll never be the same again. Say goodbye to those foil packets!
Click over to The Kitchenthusiast to get the recipe for this European-style hot chocolate, and a complete photographic tutorial with a super-smart trick for how to whip up this indulgent treat in just moments.
Get lots more awesome drink recipes when you check out my “Drinks” category!
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Indulge in this thick, rich European-style hot chocolate. Only a few ingredients and mere seconds stand between you and this luxurious treat!
- 3 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
- 3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Place the chocolate, sugar, and cornstarch in a small pot, and toss to coat.
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Pour the milk into the pot and cook over medium heat until barely simmering, stirring occasionally.
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Whisk in the vanilla extract, pour into cups or bowls, and serve.
Allie this hot choc looks phenomenal!! I love how thick and chocolate-y it looks—Perfect for these chilly spring evenings! pinned. Can’t wait to try it!
It is so thick and chocolatey! It’s heavenly; very decadent. It’s a drink, obvs, but I have it as a dessert! Thanks so much for pinning, Sarah! I hope you enjoy 😉
That hot chocolate looks so rich and comforting! It’s perfect for these last freezing days of winter when it is supposed to be spring, our stamina for cold is shot (just me?) and a serious pick-me-up is in order.
Not “just you,” Nora! It’s definitely me too! I’d had it weeks ago, but there’s still snow on the ground here :/ Hang in there, it can’t be too much longer, right?
Allie, this is the best post!! I feel the same way about hot chocolate! Have you ever been to Angelina’s in Paris? To die for thick rich hot chocolate 😀 drooling thinking of it! And I had amazing hot chocolate in Italy! Thanks for sharing this recipe!! Going to have to try it!
No! I’ve never been to Paris 🙁 But I do remember the hot chocolate being really good in Italy too! I hope you do try it this way, it’s such a treat, and so simple to prepare! Thanks for the great comment, Kelly!
I LOVE European Hot Chocolate. I always get it every time I’m over there. So warm and thick… Just perfect!
Oh, ya! I loved how thick it was. And so chocolatey! Thanks so much for the great comment, Susan! 😀
Umm…wow. I HAD to click over and the recipe sounds amazing! Decadent, thick and melted, oh Allie you’ve made my midnight!!
Yay! Thanks so much for clicking over to read, Jessica! I do think it would be a sinful midnight snack >:D
Wow that would totally satisfy any chocolate craving. Hopped over and pinned the recipe.
Thank you so much, Erlene! You are awesome 😉
This hot chocolate looks amazing! So chocolate-y!
Oh, ya! It is seriously rich! It only takes a few sips to feel satisfied. I like it in a little demitasse cup. Such a treat! Thanks, Chloe!
i love thick hot chocolate. yum!
Oh I know! What’s not to love, right? Thanks so much, Dina!
Ahhh … so cornstarch is the secret! I absolutely LOVE that kind of hot chocolate … it’s so fabulous with some delicious churros to dip into it , isn’t it? Love that it’s so easy!
Oh ya, totally! I made baked churros with my favorite pate a choux recipe. They were perfect for dipping! Thanks so much, Helen!
Allie, this is exactly how I love my hot cocoa! I love how you described the American way… and why does it have to be that way… this way is so much more sinful. Besides, I’d have a cup of melted chocolate than chocolate flavored water any day of the year! Pinned and definitely can’t wait to make this very soon. 😉
Why does it indeed??? How did we ever become so complacent with what we eat and drink in this country. Even if you can’t wear designer clothes or drive a fancy car, odds are you can afford to enjoy the most delicious food. All it takes is a little extra time and care, and most times, it’s actually cheaper to make your own than to use something prepackaged! Thanks so much for the great comment, Gloria, and for pinning too!
This looks heavenly! I love hot chocolate in general but making it thick and decadent?! Absolutely amazing! I need some of this to warm me up in this long winter!
Oh I know right? This winter has been brutal. When I get in from the cold I want something to warm me up and cheer me up too! This definitely fits the bill. Thanks so much for the sweet comment, Ally!
Hi Allie, the European hot chocolate looks delicious! I love hot chocolate but I don’t think I have ever had the European hot chocolate. Looks so comforting! Thank you for sharing! “:-)
Thank you for posting my Hot Fudge Cake photos to your pinterest!
Michael 🙂
My first exposure to hot chocolate was this thick and chocolatey kind you have here. And after moving here, I could tell the difference and stopped drinking hot chocolate as much. Thanks for this recipe. I am trying it tonight when it is still cold out 🙂
Oh man, what a disappointment that must have been! I would have stopped drinking it too I’m sure! Hope you enjoy this recipe more, chica! Thanks for the sweet comment 😉
Going to check out this recipe right now – This looks so thick and rich! I had a European style hot chocolate this weekend at Le Pain and it was to die for!!!
Thanks so much for clicking over, Cate! Hope you have a fabulous weekend, sweetie <3
I can’t even drink hot chocolate in the US cus it tastes so gross and watery to me. I’d much rather make my own like this version!
Me either, Shikha, and you know it’s bad when a born and bred American says that! I always make my own, whether it’s this kind of decadent hot chocolate, or a slightly less heavy (but equally flavorful!) hot cocoa. I’m so over those packets! Thanks for the great comment, and have a great weekend! 😀
Omg Allie, that hot chocolate looks like straight up melted chocolate in a cup which is AMAZEBALLS! Heading over to check out your recipe 🙂
Ha ha that’s pretty much what it is, and yes! Totally amaze-balls! Thanks for clicking over, you’re the best! Love ya!
Funny coz the first thing that came to mind when I saw this post is baked churros. And then I read you did the same. Will try this soon!
You’ve gotta have some kind of dipper for this hot chocolate! Ha ha, great minds think alike I guess! The baked churros were fabulous, but I think it’d be equally good with a shortbread cookie or even just a piece of cinnamon toast! Have a great weekend, Grace! And thanks so much for the sweet comment 😉
Living in Spain I often have chocolate with churros…… buying them from the street stalls. In England it is typical to have freshly made doughnuts, hot from a small open-air stall, in Spain it is the same with the churros. They are fried in plenty of olive oil and come out piping hot ready and to be dipped in the hot chocolate. Unhealthy perhaps…… but delicious.
Perhaps the nearest you can get to an authentic experience therefore is to dunk a freshly made doughnut!
Lincoln @ LincsFlavours
I only wish there were street stalls here where I could buy them! You are so lucky to live in Spain Lincoln. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Allie, this looks decadent! I first had this kind of hot chocolate in Romania and later enjoyed the Italian version too. I’ve shared the recipe on my blog but can’t wait to click over and see what yours is like. Thanks for sharing. Yum!
Thank you so much for clicking over, Jelli! I LOVE this kind of hot chocolate- I feel like it’s almost more dessert than it is beverage! I’m so happy you’ve enjoyed it as much as I have! Hope you have a fabulous weekend, my dear! <3
Holy moly, now this is what I call hot chocolate! I love how decadent and thick it looks – totally drooling! Pinned and clicking over to check out the recipe 🙂
Thank you so much for clicking over Kelly! Your support means so much to me. And thank you for pinning too! xoxo
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So delicious! Thanks for linking up with What’s Cookin’ Wednesday!
My pleasure, Karly! Thanks so much for popping over to say hi. Hope you’re having a fun weekend! 😀
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I’m an American who lives abroad in Germany, where I’ve never seen this (sadly!) but have consumed many portions of it in Spain. Good to know Belgium has it as well!!
Wow that’s surprising, Dana! I’ve had it in Italy and Spain, and it’s so good! Thanks so much for reading and for the great feedback! 😀
This recipe is waaaaaay to rich even without sugar added. I add water in it, but even then I’m not sure if THAT’S enough.
Sorry you’re not a fan. Have you tried authentic European hot chocolate before? Did you find this recipe to be much different?
This is totally decadent!
It definitely is! Perfect for when you really want to treat yourself.
I cant wrap my head around 600 calorie hot chocolate
It’s very rich! Perfect for when you really want to indulge.
What type of pastry is picture with the European hot chocolate? It looks similar to a churro. I’m going to try this hot chocolate recipe and would like to make a pastry to compliment it.
Yes it is a churro and you can find the recipe for it here: https://bakingamoment.com/homemade-cajeta-and-baked-churros/. <--That is for the baked version which is pictured above, and if you'd like to make the more traditional fried version, that recipe can be found here: https://bakingamoment.com/how-to-make-churros/. Good luck and enjoy!