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French Style Hot Chocolate

Course Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine French
Keyword chocolate, easy, fall, sweets

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 5 ounces dark chocolate 75% at least
  • tiny pinch salt
  • 1-2 tsp. sugar optional (I use it)
  • ¼-½ tsp. vanilla extract optional (I use it)

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan, warm the milk and cream over medium-low heat. Do not let it boil, just hot enough that steam rises.

  2. Remove from heat. Add the dark chocolate chips and salt. Let sit 30 seconds, then whisk slowly until fully melted and glossy.

  3. Add sugar if using... traditional French versions are barely sweet, but I always add at least one tsp... sometimes 2!

  4. Whisk gently for another 2–4 minutes until slightly thickened. It should coat the back of a spoon.

  5. Pour into small cups. This is meant to be sipped, not chugged.

Recipe Notes

Very French Variations 

  • Paris Café Style: Add 1–2 tbsp more chocolate.

  • Old-World European: Replace ¼ cup milk with more cream.

  • Spiced Winter Version: Tiny pinch cinnamon + pinch cayenne.

  • Orange Chocolate: Infuse with orange peel, remove before serving.

  • Mocha: Add 1–2 tsp very strong espresso

  • Orange infused or Mint infused: Use orange or mint dark chocolate