French Hot Chocolate Recipe (Chocolat Chaud)

Two black mugs filled with hot chocolate sit on burlap in a woven basket next to three frosted pinecones.

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5 from 1 vote

French Hot Chocolate Recipe (Chocolat Chaud)

Creamy, dreamy French Hot Chocolate is for the serious chocolate lovers out there!

Prep Time5

Cook Time5

Servings:

Calories: 661kcal

Author: Chef Molly Pisula

Ingredients

4 ounces dark chocolate
1 cup 2% milk
½ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon instant coffee/espresso powder
Whipped cream and chocolate shavings to serve (optional)

Instructions

Finely chop dark chocolate.
Combine milk and heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stirring frequently, heat until milk is just bubbling on the edges.
Turn down the heat a little and whisk in dark chocolate, stirring until all of the chocolate has melted into the liquid.
Now whisk in maple syrup, vanilla extract, and instant coffee. Remove from heat.
Transfer into a large measuring cup or pitcher with a spout to pour into small mugs.
Top with a dollop of whipped cream and some chocolate shavings, if desired.

Notes

Storage Tips:

This hot chocolate is super rich! If you don’t finish it in one sitting and want to save some for later, just put it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stove before serving.

Expert Tips:

Make sure to keep an eye on the heat as you make this hot chocolate. You never want the milk/cream mixture or the finished hot cocoa to boil. Keep it at a slow simmer, which is enough to melt the chocolate and heat it slowly.

Make sure to whisk from the bottom of the pan to incorporate any melted chocolate stuck down there.

Want an easy way to make chocolate shavings to garnish your cup of hot chocolate? I use a vegetable peeler, and pull it over a block or square of chocolate. Do it right over your mug, so the shavings fall right into your drink.

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