Italian Style Hot Chocolate

After trying hot chocolate in Italy I really wanted to recreate the deliciousness at home. Mike and I adapted a recipe from Nigella Lawson and even though the end result was tasty, it was nothing compared to the way the Italians make it. Maybe you need the atmosphere to make it better and probably better quality chocolate. Also Nigella actually describes this recipe as chocolate pudding, I would say served hot this was more hot chocolate style and served cold was more a mousse/pudding.

Ingredients

250ml full fat milk
125ml double cream
60g caster sugar
15g cornflour
35g cocoa powder
30ml boiling water
2 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
60g dark choc

Estimated time: 30 mins

Method

1. Grate the chocolate.
2. Mix the milk and cream and warm it in the microwave. Boil the kettle.
3. Put the sugar and cornflour into a pan, sieve in the cocoa powder and mix in the boiling water until it becomes a paste.
4. Put the pan on a low to mid heat and mix as it cooks. Stop when the mixture is to your required thickness (usually 3-5mins).
5. Turn off the heat and add the grated chocolate. 
6. Serve either hot or cold and with cream if you want to.

I think next time I would use better quality chocolate with a stronger cocoa content in order to give a stronger taste. Also I would take the mixture off the heat slightly sooner as small bits had started to stick. Overall we were pleased with the result but not a complete match for the Italian made variety!