European hot chocolate is a creamy, dark, rich and thick drink that is meant to be savored. Best enjoyed on a cold night snuggled up with a good book. Definitely for hard core chocolate lovers.
As kids, hot chocolate can be a special treat. As adults, we tend to come up with ways to enhance our drinks, creating ‘adult’ beverages.
Hot chocolate is not excluded from this tradition. This European hot chocolate is one of those ways, however, no alcohol is involved.
You start by infusing milk and cream with cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla bean. Next, you add coarsely chopped unsweetened chocolate and sugar.
The result is an amazingly rich and chocolaty European hot chocolate. Honestly, this is not for the kids.
Or for anyone that doesn’t appreciate a good semi-sweet chocolate, for that matter.
This is extremely thick and rich, and meant for sipping, not gulping.
This drink is not overly sweet, like traditional American hot chocolate. In fact, most would consider it on the bitter side.
Also, even though I’ve shown it served in mugs, a demitasse is more appropriate for this recipe. European hot chocolate is meant to be drunk in small amounts.
However, it is so decadent you will certainly want a second serving.
European hot chocolate is a creamy, dark, rich and thick drink that is meant to be savored. Best enjoyed on a cold night snuggled up with a good book. Definitely for hard core chocolate lovers.
5 minPrep Time
30 minCook Time
35 minTotal Time
Yields 16 ounces
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 vanilla bean OR 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
- 8 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- 2 Tablespoons dark brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon white granulated sugar
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine milk, cream, vanilla bean, cinnamon stick and nutmeg to infuse milk (if you are using vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean, DO NOT add until later in recipe)
- Let simmer - just below scalding- for 15 minutes
- Remove cinnamon stick and vanilla bean
- Skim any skin that may have formed on top of milk
- Remove from heat and add chopped chocolate
- Let sit 30 seconds
- Whisk to melt and combine chocolate with milk mixture
- Add sugars and vanilla extract, if using
- Continue whisking to combine and dissolve sugars
- Pour into demitasse or espresso cups. Small mugs may also be used
- Top with whipped cream and sprinkles for an American hot chocolate touch
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