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A decadent, rich, and creamy hot chocolate like no other, this French hot chocolate is made with dark chocolate for a deep cocoa flavor, perfect with a morning croissant!
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- What is French hot chocolate?
- What do I need to make French hot chocolate?
- How to serve French hot chocolate
- Frequently Asked Questions
- 💬 Comments
What is French hot chocolate?
French hot chocolate, also known as chocolat le chaud is a rich, creamy, and luxurious hot chocolate that compares to no other!
This isn't your typical mug of hot chocolate, it has a much deeper and richer flavor as it is made from melted dark chocolate. Typically served with whipped cream, it isn't sweet as you would expect. Instead, it is bittersweet and perfectly balanced in flavor.
Personally, I love having a steaming mug of this chocolate heaven with a croissant for dipping. Because of its luxurious consistency, it is the perfect vessel for dipping your morning pastries or a crusty piece of sourdough.
Trust me, once you have a sip of this you won't be able to drink regular hot chocolate again!
What do I need to make French hot chocolate?
Whole milk
Milk is a must whenever you make hot chocolate. Make sure you use full-fat whole milk as this is essential for a creamy experience.
Dark chocolate
When it comes to dark chocolate make sure you use a bar of high-quality dark chocolate with a cocoa percentage of at least 70%.
The chocolate makes up the flavor of the drink so it is important to use something you love. Use your favorite dark chocolate for a cup of hot chocolate perfectly catered to you.
You can use chocolate with a lower cocoa percentage, but keep in mind that the chocolate flavour won't be as rich.
Brown sugar
Brown sugar is optional, but I recommend adding 1 or 2 tablespoons as the chocolate itself is quite bitter. Taste as you go and add more or less depending on your preferences.
Thickened or Heavy Cream
Whipped cream is also optional! Feel free to leave it off if you'd like, but I think it breaks up the richness of the chocolate for a deliciously balanced drink.
How to serve French hot chocolate
There are so many different ways to serve this delicious drink. Here are a couple of my favorite ways!
With whipped cream
French hot chocolate is typically served with a side of whipped cream. Add as much as you like and let it melt into the hot chocolate for a creamier drink. It helps to break up the bittersweet chocolate flavor for a balanced flavor experience.
With pastries or bread
French hot chocolate is the perfect vessel for dipping your favorite pastries. Because of its thick texture, it clings to the surface of anything you dip into it and brings a chocolatey flavor to whatever it is.
My personal favorite is a plain croissant. The flaky buttery layers are the best kind of canvas for that rich chocolate flavor!
Shavings of chocolate
Make your cup of hot chocolate complete with a shaving of chocolate to finish!
With espresso powder
If you want to give your hot chocolate a caffeine kick and increase the intensity of the chocolate flavour add 1 teaspoon of espresso powder to the milk when heating it up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of chocolate should I use?
The best chocolate to use is top quality European chocolate with a cocoa percentage of 70%. This gives the hot chocolate a rich chocolate flavor that isn't too sweet or bitter.
A couple of great options include Lindt, Godiva, or Ghirardelli.
You can customize it to your liking by using your favorite kind of chocolate!
Is French hot chocolate very sweet?
No, it isn't! Unlike how it looks French hot chocolate is made with dark chocolate so it isn't overly sweet. Instead, it has a bittersweet chocolate flavor. The sweetness can be adjusted by the amount of brown sugar you add.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, you can! Once you've made it simply keep it in the fridge and reheat it in a small saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until warmed through.
Make sure to give them a stir as they are heating up as this will help the hot chocolate warm through evenly. Make sure you don't bring it to a boil as this can cause the milk and chocolate mixture to split.
Let's Get Baking!
Whether you are looking for an indulgent after-dinner mug of hot cocoa or an accompaniment for your morning pastries, this hot chocolate recipe is the one for you. Be prepared to be whisked away to a cafe in Paris once you take a sip!
If you liked this recipe make sure to leave me a comment and rating down below, I would love to know how you went. Also, don't forget to tag me on Instagram@catherine.desserts and hashtag #cattycakes so I can see and share your desserts.
Follow me onFacebook,Pinterest,Youtube,andTikTokfor more of my baking creations and updates! Until next time... happy caking!
French Hot Chocolate Recipe
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A decadent, rich, and creamy hot chocolate like no other, this French hot chocolate is made with dark chocolate for a deep cocoa flavor, perfect with a morning croissant!
- Author: Catherine Zhang
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 2 Cups 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
- 240ml Whole milk
- 115g Dark chocolate, 70% cocoa (4oz)
- 2 tsp Brown sugar, to taste
- Heavy or thickened cream, whipped, to serve
Instructions
- Finely chop the chocolate
- Heat the milk together in a small saucepan over medium heat until almost boiling
- Remove from the heat and add the chocolate, stir until the chocolate has completely melted
- Taste and add brown sugar to your liking
- Divide the hot chocolate between two small mugs and top with a dollop of whipped cream
