Description
Experience the rich and silky indulgence of classic French hot chocolate, known as Chocolat Chaud. Made with high-quality bittersweet dark chocolate, whole milk, and a touch of vanilla and sea salt, this luxurious drink is perfectly thickened and optionally sweetened with brown sugar. Served traditionally in small tea or cappuccino cups, it’s an elegant treat that’s both comforting and decadently smooth.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Base
- 2 cups (500 ml) whole milk
- 5 ounces (130 grams) good quality bittersweet dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa), finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Big pinch sea salt
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar (optional)
For Serving
- Whipped cream, preferably homemade and unsweetened (optional)
Instructions
- Heat Milk: In a medium saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it is steaming but not boiling, to prepare the base for melting the chocolate.
- Melt Chocolate: Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the finely chopped chocolate until completely smooth and melted. This ensures a silky texture without burning the chocolate.
- Add Flavorings: Whisk in the vanilla extract and sea salt to enhance the chocolate’s depth of flavor.
- Simmer to Thicken: Return the saucepan to medium heat and simmer the mixture gently for 3 to 4 minutes, whisking occasionally, until it becomes thickened and silky.
- Sweeten (Optional): If desired, whisk in the brown sugar until fully dissolved to add a touch of sweetness.
- Serve: Pour the hot chocolate into small tea or cappuccino cups and garnish with whipped cream if desired for an extra creamy finish.
Notes
- Serve in tea cups or cappuccino cups rather than large mugs because the drink is very rich and a small amount goes a long way.
- Use the best quality bittersweet chocolate for optimal smoothness; avoid chocolate chips as they contain stabilizers that affect melting.
- Recommended chocolate brands include Lindt, Ghirardelli, Godiva, and Moser Roth.
- Leftover hot chocolate can be cooled, refrigerated in an airtight container, and gently reheated without losing its smooth texture.
- The consistency should be thicker than American-style hot cocoa but thinner than chocolate fondue.
- You can easily scale the recipe up or down depending on your serving needs.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 150 ml)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
