Skip to main content

Serious Hot Chocolate

Make this when you have invited serious chocoholics to brunch, and keep in mind that the finest hot chocolate starts with the best possible unsweetened chocolate. I use Callebaut or Scharffen Berger. Sweetened condensed milk is a mixture of sugar and whole milk, and it serves here to both thicken and sweeten.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

6 ounces good-quality unsweetened chocolate, broken into pieces
2 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup sugar

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In the top of a double boiler over simmering water, melt the chocolate.

    Step 2

    Stir together the milk, cream, sweetened condensed milk, and sugar in a heavy 2-quart saucepan over low heat. Cook until very hot but not boiling.

    Step 3

    Whisk the melted chocolate into the cream mixture and continue whisking until no chocolate streaks remain and the beverage is smooth and very hot.

    Step 4

    Pour into mugs and serve.

  2. Spiked Bittersweet Hot Chocolate Variation

    Step 5

    Add 1 1/2 ounces dark rum to each cup of hot chocolate.

Bubby's Brunch Cookbook cover.
Bubby’s Brunch Cookbook by Ron Silver and Rosemary Black. Copyright © 2009 by Ron Silver and Rosemary Black. Published by Ballantine Books. All Rights Reserved.
Read More
Grab your Easter basket and hop in—you’ll want to collect each and every one of these fun and easy Easter recipes.
A warmly spiced Ashkenazi charoset, perfect for your Passover seder—or spooned over yogurt the next morning.
Like airy lemon chiffon cake and a Cadbury egg–inspired tart.
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Like lemony risotto and tandoori-style cauliflower.
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.