My rich, velvety French Hot Chocolate is exactly what it sounds like - pure decadence in every sip. This winter favorite is going to cocoon you in layers of creaminess and rich dark chocolate—perfect for a snug retreat by the fire.
We all know how a cup of hot chocolate is the ultimate cure-all—whether you're recovering from a chaotic work meeting, bad hair day, or just need something to make Monday feel a little less... well, Monday.
This French Hot Chocolate recipe will transport you to the cozy cafes of Paris. It’s the perfect treat to impress your holiday guests or to savor all by yourself when you need a well-earned escape from the hustle of festive cooking.
Looking for some more holiday recipes? Check these out: Chicken and Mushroom Vol Au Vent, Black Forest Tiramisu and Parmesan Potatoes.
Table of Content
What Is French Hot Chocolate
Le chocolat chaud, is like the sophisticated, grown-up version of the hot cocoa we all grew up with. It’s rich, thick, and ultra-indulgent, made with high-quality dark chocolate instead of cocoa powder.
Unlike the lighter American hot chocolate, which is sweet, thin and frothy, French hot chocolate has a luxurious, velvety texture that’s almost like drinking melted chocolate! It’s thinner than a ganache or chocolate fondue.
It’s not as heavy as the Italian hot chocolate (cioccolata calda), but it’s definitely more decadent. Like a perfect winter treat sweeping you away in a silky embrace. A bit over-the-top? Maybe, but once you try this, you’ll wonder why you ever settled for regular hot chocolate!
As Parisian spots like Café de Flore and Angelina serve up chocolat chaud in winter, you can bring that same experience right to your kitchen. And for that extra swoon, dip a buttery croissant into this thick drinking chocolate!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Luxuriously rich and decadent hot chocolate.
- Fool-proof and fuss-free recipe.
- Only requires 3 simple ingredients.
- Perfect for winter nights or festive gatherings.
Craving some more chocolate? Dive into these irresistible recipes: Nutella Double Chocolate Muffins, Easy Chocolate Mousse and Chocolate Oreo Balls.
Ingredients & Substitutions
See recipe card for quantities.
- Milk - Whole milk is best for this recipe to give it that rich, creamy texture. For dairy-free options you can try almond milk or coconut milk.
- Cream - Heavy cream adds that velvety smoothness that makes this French sipping chocolate extra luxurious. If you’re looking for a lower-fat alternative, you can use half-and-half.
- Chocolate - Go for a high-quality bittersweet or dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa to bring out a rich depth of flavor. I have used the Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate Bar.
- Sugar - I use brown sugar for its deep, caramel-like sweetness. You can swap with white sugar, honey or maple syrup. Taste as you make hot chocolate and feel free to even skip the sugar.
- Salt - intensifies the chocolatey flavour.
- Whipping Cream - for serving! I highly recommend a dollop of homemade or store-bought whipped cream. It helps break the heaviness of this rich hot chocolate.
For extra flavour, feel free to add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg powder, a shot of espresso/espresso powder or vanilla extract to this French style Hot Chocolate.
How To Make It
This chocolat chaud recipe is extremely simple and easy.
- Chop the dark chocolate into tiny pieces, the smaller the pieces the easier it melts.
- In a pan, combine milk, cream, brown sugar, and salt. Heat over medium-low until small bubbles form, stirring occasionally.
- Reduce heat to low, add chopped dark chocolate to the hot milk, and whisk until melted and smooth.
- Continue whisking until the mixture thickens to your liking. Turn off the heat.
- Pour the dense hot chocolate into mugs, top with whipped cream, and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Don’t boil the milk. Heat the milk and cream slowly on a medium-low heat.
- Use really good quality chocolate! Opt for at least 70% dark chocolate for a rich, deep chocolate flavor.
- Chop the chocolate finely before melting it into your hot milk or cream to ensure a smooth, lump-free blend!
- Allow the mixture to simmer and thicken to your liking. The more you heat and whisk the thicker your hot chocolate will get. Stir constantly to prevent the chocolate from forming a skin or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Variations
- Spice up your French drinking chocolate with a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg or even cayenne pepper!
- You can also add a splash of peppermint or vanilla extract for a soft sweetness to balance out the bittersweet chocolate.
- I absolutely love me some hot mocha latte! If you're a fan of coffee, adding an espresso shot can deepen the flavor and give your creamy hot chocolate a lovely mocha kick.
- Go all out and top it with a dollop of homemade whipped cream like me, or get extra fancy with a dusting of cocoa powder, chocolate shavings, marshmallows or caramel sauce for an extra zhuzhing up of the presentation.
- For a citrusy twist, don’t miss my Orange Hot Chocolate variation—it blends the richness of French hot chocolate with the refreshing zest of orange, creating a delightful balance of flavors that's perfect for the holidays!
Pairing Ideas
This gourmet, thick hot chocolate pairs beautifully with buttery croissants, a slice of tea bread (like my Chocolate Banana Bread), or something not chocolate-y yet cakey (like my Mini Blueberry Muffins) for a truly indulgent experience.
For a touch of freshness, serve it alongside a bowl of seasonal berries.
If you're feeling festive, try pairing it with chocolate chip pecan cookies for holidays!
Storage
Store any leftover French hot chocolate in an airtight container or a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low-medium heat, stirring frequently to maintain its creamy texture. You can also microwave it in short intervals, stirring in between, until it's smooth and steaming.
FAQs
French hot chocolate is known as chocolat chaud. Unlike the frothy, lighter versions of hot chocolate, chocolat chaud is thicker, richer, and made with high-quality dark chocolate.
When making this hot chocolate, choose top-quality European chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content. The rich cocoa percentage is key to achieving that intense, velvety flavor and luxurious texture. Avoid using milk chocolate or overly sweet varieties, as they can dilute the classic richness.
It is not very sweet. It has a rich, intense cocoa flavor with a subtle sweetness, typically balanced by dark chocolate with a high cocoa content. It’s more about the depth of the chocolate rather than a sugary taste.
Italian hot chocolate (cioccolata calda) is known for its incredibly thick, almost pudding-like consistency, thanks to the addition of cornstarch. It's indulgent enough to be eaten with a spoon and leans more towards dessert than a beverage. French hot cocoa (chocolat chaud), on the other hand, is rich and creamy but has a smoother, drinkable texture.
Parisian hot chocolate is thick and luxurious, made with dark chocolate for a bold, intense flavor. Belgian hot chocolate is sweeter and creamier, often crafted with milk chocolate to showcase Belgium’s famed chocolate expertise.
Parisian Hot Chocolate often served in small cups or jugs due to its richness, and sometimes topped with whipped cream or enjoyed plain.
More Cozy Winter Drinks
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📖 Recipe
French Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2-3 teaspoon brown sugar see note 1
- Pinch sea salt
- 100 g (3.5oz) dark chocolate bar (min 70% cocoa) finely chopped
- Whipped cream for serving
Optional Add-ins
- Pinch nutmeg grated
- Cinnamon powder
- Vanilla extract
- Espresso shot
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine milk, cream, sugar, and salt. Heat over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until small bubbles form around the edges. Do not let the milk boil.
- Reduce the heat to low. Add finely chopped chocolate to the pan and whisk continuously until the chocolate is fully melted.
- Continue whisking on low heat until the mixture thickens slightly, ensuring no skin forms on top.
- Pour the hot chocolate into a mug, top with a dollop of whipped cream, and enjoy while hot!
Video
Notes
- Adjust the sugar to your liking, feel free to even skip it if you prefer the pure dark chocolate taste.
- Feel free to add optional flavor enhancers like vanilla extract, a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a shot of espresso to customize your French hot chocolate.
- The more you heat and whisk, the richer the hot chocolate will get. And if you keep heating it will end up like a ganache, so make sure you stop whisking once the chocolate mixture gets smooth, glossy and coats the back of a spoon. If it becomes too thick, you can gently whisk in a bit more milk or cream to achieve the desired consistency.
- This drink is thicker than your typical hot chocolate. It makes 2 really indulgent cups or 4 small ones.
Nutrition
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