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BA's Best Hot Chocolate

4.2

(68)

Image may contain Drink Food Hot Chocolate Dessert Cup Chocolate and Beverage
Alex Lau

If you’re feeling really decadent and fancy (as you should), add a splash of half-and-half or heavy cream just before serving. This is part of BA's Best, a collection of our essential recipes.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 Servings

Ingredients

3

tablespoons cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed), plus more for serving

3

cups whole milk

6

ounces semisweet chocolate (preferably Scharffen Berger), finely chopped

3

tablespoons demerara or granulated sugar

Lightly sweetened whipped cream (for serving)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring ¾ cup water to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in 3 Tbsp. cocoa powder until no lumps remain, then add milk and return to a simmer. Whisk in chocolate and sugar and cook, whisking frequently, until mixture is smooth and creamy and chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes.

    Step 2

    Divide hot chocolate among mugs. Top with whipped cream and dust with cocoa powder.

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Reviews (68)

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  • My favourite hot chocolate recipe. I generally use 62-70% chocolate, because that’s what I have on hand, and then adjust sugar to taste. Sometimes I do also add a drop of vanilla. The flavour is beautifully intense and brings back memories of the incredible hot chocolate I drank in Italy

    • Jane

    • Hamden

    • 6/2/2023

  • A solid base recipe, but my suggestions for perfection: 1) Swap milk for 3/4 c water used to melt the chocolate. You'll get a creamier more flavourful outcome. 2) Unless you have a MAJOR sweet tooth, reduce the sugar by at least a third. Semi-sweet chocolate contains sugar, and 3 tbsp of added sugar makes it cloying. 3) Add a couple drops of vanilla extract (or maybe peppermint) for a little extra flavour.

    • Anonymous

    • 10/26/2022

  • Good but … basic rule, never use plain water when you could use a liquid that can add flavor. Fresh brewed coffee, in this case. Or if you’re not into mocha, could just use more milk.

    • Anonymous

    • 10/24/2021

  • I loved it! It was a bit bitter because i thought that cocoa powder would have enough but after I added sugar it was amazing! I give it an 8/10!

    • Anonymous

    • Abu Dhabi, UAE

    • 10/10/2021

  • Sooo good! (I used 1% partly skimmed lactose-free milk for anyone worried about that, its still good) Also, I was using heat at about 5 and a half. It's a little bitter(especially when you get to the bottom) but tastes very rich. Next time I'll make sure to have whipping cream to make some, or just use whipped cream. I'd give it a nine outta ten, just cuz mine got bitter at the bottom, but it's super quick to make and definitely worth trying. Just make sure you have whipped cream lol.

    • Anonymous

    • 4/29/2021

  • My tongue just got hugged by chocolate. I'm loving it.

    • Hilary N

    • Kansas City Missouri

    • 1/10/2021

  • dessert in liquid form .... i used bittersweet plus 5 tablespoons of gran sug. did not add 3 T of dem sug. added 1 c of heavy cream and 1/2 t sea salt. and 1t cinnamon.... lovely

    • bingy

    • venice, ca

    • 12/29/2020