French Hot Chocolate – Cooking Classy

Decadently rich and creamy French Hot Chocolate! This Parisian style thick hot chocolate is made with 3 simple ingredients and ready in minutes!

Wondering what difference is between French Hot Chocolate and American hot chocolate? French hot chocolate is thick, dense, creamy, rich and typically made with real chocolate bars plus milk or cream, whereas American hot chocolate is usually cocoa powder based, is milder in flavor, thinner and typically sweeter.

While both can be delicious this hot chocolate is for those moments when you are ready to indulge in pure chocolate decadence. It us unapologetically chocolatey, it’s unbelievably simple and heats on stovetop in minutes, and the level of sweetness can be adjusted to taste by adding more or less brown sugar (or even none at all).

If you are looking for a quick, perfectly sip-able treat then look no further. Make a batch of this memorable European style hot chocolate and pair it with some buttery croissants for dipping. It’s the ultimate indulgence!

French Hot Chocolate Recipe Ingredients

You only need 3 ingredients to make this:

• Milk
• Dark chocolate
• Brown sugar

How to Make French Hot Chocolate without Heavy Cream

This French hot chocolate has a base of milk rather than cream. So if you are looking to make it without heavy cream entirely simply leave the whipped cream topping out of the recipe as well.

Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat.

Once barely simmering at edges remove from heat, whisk in chocolate and brown sugar.
Return to medium-low heat and cook for about 30 to 60 seconds, whisk constantly, to thicken slightly.

Serve warm with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top if desired.

How to Store and Reheat

• Leftover hot chocolate should be cooled slightly then stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Reheat over low heat on the stovetop stirring frequently and adding more milk to thin as needed.
• Or reheat individual servings in the microwave on 50% power, stirring occasionally.

Can I Make Dairy Free Hot Chocolate?

To make dairy free hot chocolate I recommend using unsweetened creamy oat milk or light canned coconut milk.

More Delicious Drink Recipes to Try

French Hot Chocolate

Decadently rich and creamy French Hot Chocolate! This Parisian style thick hot chocolate is made with 3 simple ingredients and ready in minutes!

Servings: 3

Prep5 minutes minutes

Cook5 minutes minutes

Ready in: 10 minutes minutes

• Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Once barely simmering at edges remove from heat, whisk in chocolate and brown sugar.

• Return to medium-low heat and cook for about 30 to 60 seconds, whisk constantly, to thicken slightly.

• Serve warm with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top if desired.

Optionally you can also add a small splash of vanilla if desired.

Nutrition Facts

French Hot Chocolate

Amount Per Serving

Calories 467
Calories from Fat 261

% Daily Value*

Fat 29g45%

Saturated Fat 17g106%

Trans Fat 0.02g

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 8g

Cholesterol 21mg7%

Sodium 75mg3%

Potassium 660mg19%

Carbohydrates 41g14%

Fiber 6g25%

Sugar 29g32%

Protein 10g20%

Vitamin A 286IU6%

Calcium 248mg25%

Iron 7mg39%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.