Loved by kids and adults alike, Hot Chocolate has been a remarkable drink over centuries and throughout different regions. Although this classic beverage is divided by the variations that each region has to offer, what unites us all is the richness and comfort that this amazing beverage has to offer.
One such famous variation of hot chocolate is chocolat chaud or French hot Chocolate, also known as the Chocolate Chaude. Originating from Paris, this creamy drink has gained popularity throughout the years and is served in almost all of the big and small cafes in Paris. Sometimes this is also called “Parisian hot chocolate”
Hot chocolate isn’t just a drink, it is an emotion and this is what makes this decadent drink so special. Although a lot of brands out there offer a variety of pre-mixes that can be used to make hot chocolate at home, they stand nowhere near the authentic ones prepared right from scratch.
This is because, making it at home allows you to choose the quality and kind of ingredient you wish to use as a result of which the final cup of Hot cocoa, turns out to be a specially created work of art for you and your loved ones.
But achieving that smooth and just the right texture of hot chocolate isn’t that easy and one little mistake can ruin all your joy. So to make your job easy and help you learn how to prepare hot chocolate in a French way, we have come up with this recipe. In this post, I am gonna show you how to make the chocolat chaud at home using only the basic ingredients that you can find in your kitchen.
Your dream of sipping onto a warm mug of thick and velvety French hot chocolate, while resting under a soft blanket on a cool evening is about to come true. This isn’t just a cup of your regular hot chocolate, it is a delicious mixture of love and warm hugs that hold the power to transform ordinary moments of your life into unforgettable memories. Stay tuned.
Where did the Hot Chocolate Come from?
This warm and tasty beverage has roots in prehistoric Central American societies. Although the Mayans are recognized as the originators of this delectable beverage because they were among the first civilizations to grow cocoa beans, their interpretation of hot chocolate was far different from what we consume today.
Years later, when the beverage manufactured by the Aztecs resembles hot chocolate somewhat in current times, the Aztecs sweetened the Mayan beverage by adding honey.
Many years after the traditional bitter beverage was created, some Spanish scholars heated it and added honey, cinnamon, and other spices, transforming it into the hot chocolate of today.
Even with its newfound fame, the beverage did not take off right away. However, by the 17th century, Hot Chocolate—a so-called bitter-sweet beverage—had spread over many areas as individuals began modifying it.
Know your Ingredients first for this Hot Cocoa
Preparing that perfectly smooth and delicious cup of hot chocolate requires a mix of all these excellent ingredients, each of which adds its unique flavor making Hot Chocolate a truly comforting and heartwarming drink so before we get into the instructions, let us take a closer look at what ingredients hot chocolate is made with.
Whole Milk
That thick and velvety texture of any creamy beverage is achieved by using milk. Milk provides an excellent base for all such drinks and delivers a rich and soothing texture to it. While most people prefer using full-fat milk for making Hot chocolate (this is because it provides an extra thick and rich consistency), you can always use any other kind of milk depending upon your choices and health requirements. Even the non-dairy alternatives of milk can be used to make this amazing French Hot chocolate recipe.
Heavy Cream
What sets French Hot chocolate apart from its counterparts is the extra smooth and luxurious texture that it offers. And this extra thick texture is achieved using fresh heavy cream. It is added slowly into the hot chocolate mixture on low heat, to make that perfectly velvety hot chocolate. Another reason behind using heavy cream is that it pairs well with dark chocolate, further enhancing its taste.
Brown Sugar
To give this recipe a touch of health and make that cup of hot chocolate entirely guilt-free for you, we have used brown sugar in place of refined sugar in this recipe. This small change will make sure that you can enjoy your favorite creamy drink without having to worry about gaining those extra calories
Vanilla essence
Vanilla essence is used to give an extra touch of luxury to the drink. It pairs well with the chocolate and provides a professional taste to the drink.
Dark Chocolate bar
What would hot chocolate be without dark chocolate? Even the ancient versions of this bittersweet chocolate drink used cocoa beans to achieve that bitterness, this is dark chocolate is used in all the recipes for Hot Chocolate to provide that hint of bitterness to the drink and additionally to achieve that beautiful dark brown color. Also, make sure to use a good quality chocolate brand.
5 Expert Tips to Make French Hot Chocolate Recipe Even Better
These 5 expert tips will make sure that you don’t repeat any common mistakes and seamlessly prepare a cup of warm hot chocolate for your loved ones and yourself. Keep reading.
Temperature
Temperature is one of the most crucial things that must be paid attention to while cooking. For this recipe, all the ingredients that you use, especially the fresh cream and milk must be at room temperature, this is so because it will make sure that the ingredients mix well into each other and there are no lumps formed during the process.
Type of Milk
Although full-fat milk is considered to be the best fit for this recipe, in case you are using any other type of milk such as Almond milk, you must let your prepared hot chocolate simmer for an extra 3-5 minutes. This is because non-diary varieties of milk are relatively runny as compared to full-fat milk, simmering it for a couple of more minutes will help in achieving the right thickness and texture.
Consume Immediately
Most Hot chocolate types including the French Hot Chocolate are best had when warm, as upon cooling they get even thicker which makes it hard to sip on them. So once you are done making this magical drink, serve it immediately or while it is still warm, to enjoy the authentic flavors.
Finely Chop the Chocolate
Chopping the chocolate finely will result in it melting fast, which will not only save you time but will also prevent the hot chocolate from getting too thick.
Serving suggestions
Although you can enjoy the prepared drink as it is, with some extra toppings it will look more appealing to the eyes and will also add extra deliciousness to it.
Recipe Card
French Hot Chocolate Recipe (Chocolat Chaud)
Ingredients
- 2 cups Milk
- ¼ cup Heavy cream
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar
- 1 tsp Vanilla Essence
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 150 grams / 5.5 oz Dark Chocolate
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Instructions
- Start by heating milk, heavy cream, vanilla essence, brown sugar, and salt. Let it simmer on low to medium heat while whisking it continuously.2 cups Milk, ¼ cup Heavy cream, 2 tbsp Brown sugar, 1 tsp Vanilla Essence, ¼ tsp Salt
- Finely chop the dark chocolate, reduce the heat to low, and add it to the pan.150 grams Dark Chocolate
- Stir the mixture continuously while the chocolate melts.
- Once the chocolate has melted, turn off the heat.
- Serve this delicious hot chocolate with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Video
Notes
This calculation is done by assumption calculated by an API. Please use our nutrition information just to get an idea about the recipe, consult a nutritionist if you need exact nutrition information.
Here are some toppings you can use with this drinking chocolate
- Marshmallows
- Dusting with cocoa powder
- Candy cane
- Cinnamon Stick
- Whipped cream
Now that you have learnt how to create that perfect cup of treat for yourself it’s time to take those ingredients out and make it as soon as possible. Winter around the corner, calls for a warm mug of hot chocolate that can be prepared with ease at any time and can be enjoyed while lying inside your blanket.
Whether it is a weekend or a chill weeknight, This hot chocolate recipe is fit for any mood and occasion. The French-style beverage turns out to be so delicious that not only the kids but also the adults will be left asking for more.
Pour it into your favorite mug and top it with toppings of your liking and tada, you have turned a basic moment into a memorable one
Do try out this heartwarming recipe and let us know how it turned out for you.
Until next time, take care
