Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe; Best Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe.
One thing I miss most about living in Germany is the Hot Chocolate! No matter where we went, they always served the best Belgian Hot Chocolate! It was full of a rich chocolate flavor, extra smooth and oh so amazing! I miss it dearly. I absolutely love my Gourmet Hot chocolate with all the flavors, but the Belgian hot chocolate completely takes the cake!
When I’m missing my Germany Home, I love to curl up with a warm cup of the traditional decadent Belgian hot chocolate recipe. So I spent the afternoon reading, researching, and experimenting in the kitchen. I have come up with a great Belgian Hot Chocolate recipe! This recipe gets my homemade hot chocolate as close as possible to the same amazing Belgian Hot Chocolate I used to enjoy in Europe! I hope you will enjoy it as much as we do!
Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe
Place half of the milk, chocolate pieces and salt in a small saucepan. Warm on medium low heat. Heat until the chocolate is melted. Be sure to stir frequently. Add in the remaining milk, vanilla and a small drizzle of homemade whipped cream.
If you like spice add in the Cinnamon. If you prefer a sweeter hot chocolate you will also add in the white sugar. If you prefer the richer Belgian style hot chocolate, no additional sugar is needed.
Turn heat up to medium high. Stir rapidly as you mix the remaining ingredients together. Do not boil. Once all ingredients are well mixed, pour into your hot chocolate mug.
Top with more whipped cream and chocolate flakes. Serve warm.
Picking Ingredients for Belgian Hot Chocolate.
Most recipes I found suggested using a special hot cocoa machine. Although they are nice, they are not necessary. But who are we kidding, if I had one; I would totally use it! Lol! But all you need to really remember is to stir frequently and quickly. You don’t want the chocolate or milk to scald.
The most important factor in this hot chocolate recipe is the selection of your chocolates. You will not want to skimp on the quality. You will find the best quality chocolates in bar form. If possible find imported Belgian dark chocolate. It will give the most authentic flavor. The lowest % you will want to use is 53% dark. The highest is around 72%. Anything less or more will be off from the authentic flavor.
When selecting the milk chocolate, again you want a quality bar. Lindt, Ghirardelli, Milka, or other European brands of milk chocolate are your best choices.
For a more creamy Belgian hot Chocolate you will want to use a richer milk. Even use half and half! But for those looking to cut calories or for a lighter taste; you can use regular milk. Or skim milk. Because of the Dairy allergy in our family, I used Lactaid fat free milk. It turned out amazing. If you need full diary free; I highly suggest using the Almond milk or Coconut milk. It will be slightly different; but still a very decadent treat!
Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe Alterations
For even more fun, try using flavored milk chocolate squares. I tried using some Ghirardelli Coconut Rendezvous milk chocolate bar pieces in place of the milk chocolate. It turned out amazing! I bet the Raspberry or mint chocolate flavors would too!
If you like more flavor choices, don’t forget the Torani Syrups I talked about using the last time I shared my Gourmet Hot Cocoa recipes! Those are great for changing up the flavors!
DIY Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 3 ounces Quality Dark Belgian chocolate 56% min; 72% max.
- 1 1/2 ounces Quality Milk chocolate
- 1 pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Whipped cream such as Reddi Whip in the can
- Dash of cinnamon (optional)
- 1 Tablespoon White sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Add half milk, chocolate and salt in pan and heat on low heat.
- Stir until all chocolate is melted.
- Add remaining ingredients.
- Heat on Medium High heat.
- Stir rapidly
- Do not let boil
- Once all ingredients are dissolved, serve warm.
- Top with whipped cream and Chocolate curls/shavings.
- Enjoy!
Do you love Belgian hot Chocolate?
What is your favorite Belgian Hot chocolate recipe combinations?
That hot chocolate looks amazing! Wish I had some right now yum!
This looks amazing – and easy too. thank you!
My husband actually went to belgium and had not only hot chocolate but actual belgium waffles! I was so jealous! We love all sorts of hot chocolate so thanks for the recipe!
I love homemade hot chocolate! Looks great.
Maybe it’s because I am on a diet and haven’t had chocolate in like forever but this looks AMAZING!
This looks delicious! I’m not a fan of dark chocolate I wonder if you could use all milk?
The dark chocolate is very authentic to Belgian style hot chocolate. If you prefer a more milk chocolate taste, try switching the quantities of the dark and milk. So have 3 oz of the quality milk chocolate and 1 1/2 ounces of the Quality dark chocolate. And use the 53% dark chocolate as it’s not as strong. But the dark chocolate with the salt mixed is what makes the biggest difference in the authentic flavor. To cut it out completely would possibly make it far too sweet. But that could just be me. I didn’t like dark Chocolate at ALL until I lived in Germany. Now I love it.
I use heavy cream instead of the milk. This cuts a little of the bitterness in Dark Chocolate. I am of German decent and my Oma made Hot Chocolate for us. I can not drink hot chocolate in America. It just doesn’t taste right.
This recipe is very close to real my Oma’s Hot Chocolate. Thank you for posting.
Oh yes! Heavy cream would be so much better! I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. I have to try it now! Thanks for the great idea!
I’m so glad you found my recipe. And I’m so glad it’s so close to your Oma’s Hot Chocolate. I miss German hot chocolate so desperately. I completely feel you about struggling with American Hot Cocoa after you’ve had the “real” stuff in Europe. <3
Oh, that seriously looks so good! I’m a hot chocolate drinker, I’ll always opt for that over coffee 🙂 I’m pinning your recipe now to make on a cold morning. Thanks for sharing!
I have never heard of Belgian Hot Chocolate, but this recipe looks so good!
Sigh, I want some so bad! That looks amazing
I loveeee hot chocolate and that recipe looks amazing!!! I really need to try this!
That sounds & looks delicious! Wish I had a mug of here on this cold, rainy, dreary day!
That looks and sounds amazing! It is crazy cold here in AZ and I could sure use a bug of that.
Yummy! We usually drink mexican hot chocolate over here (delicious cinnamon and chili mixed with the cocoa) but this sounds fabulous. It’s been so cold lately that this will surely warm us up.
That looks amazing! I can’t wait to try it out!
I love Belgian chocolate and your drink looks divine!
THis is unbelievably delicious. I need to pin it later. How creative too! Just YUM!!!
That looks crazy tasty!!
We love hot chocolate around here, but I must admit, I am getting a little tired of it. I could definitely use a little variety and this would be great. Thank you so much for sharing… I added this to my Sweetie Sweets board on Pinterest 🙂
Mmm. That looks so good. Thanks for sharing. I really want to try making this.
Seriously, I know what I need to make now!
twitted this today, 26/01
This looks so yummy and rich! I like adding a little cinnamon to my hot chocolate.
Hmmm… delicious – though adding salt is VERY American 🙂
Anyway, besides the vanilla flavor and the salt, this is exactly how I make my hot chocolate, too. LOVE the photos!
This looks great, I’m gonna try it tomorrow and see how it comes out!
This recipe looks very tasty. Thanks for sharing!
I love anything chocolate. Thank you for the recipe!
that sounds so yummy!!
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This recipe looks rich and yummy. You should try making your own whipped cream, though. It tastes so much better and would pair so well with your rich, hot chocolate! You just need whip/heavy/double cream, powdered or granulated sugar, and optional vanilla extract! Try it out if you haven’t already. I also love the photo with the Christmas tree bokeh!
yes it is definitely better with homemade whipped cream. I just don’t always have time to make that part up. So the rediwhip is a great alternative when I don’t have time. But definitely now that I have a working mixer I will be making the homemade whipped cream more often and can use it instead. 🙂
I always make my hot chocolate with all milk also. No water to be seen!
This recipe sounds amazing!! I love hot chocolate its my favorite winter time drink!
Delicious! I used 70% dark chocolate ghirardelli and cadbury milk chocolate with 2% milk. To gild the lily I made homemade vanilla whip cream- perfection on a wet cold New Year’s Day!