Name: Luxurious Italian Hot Chocolate with Kirsch and Hazelnuts Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tbsp cocoa powder; 2 tbsp sugar; 150 g (1 cup minus 1 tbsp) semi-sweet milk chocolate chips; 4 tsp kirsch; 480 ml (2 cups) milk; 2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch); 4 tbsp cold water; 4 tbsp whipped cream; 8 kirsch cherries (from a jar of cherries soaked in kirsch, threaded onto two cocktail sticks); 2 tbsp hazelnuts (roughly chopped)

Description

Indulge in a decadent Italian hot chocolate infused with the rich flavors of kirsch and topped with whipped cream and crunchy hazelnuts. This luxurious beverage combines melted semi-sweet chocolate chips, cocoa powder, and a smooth custard-like texture achieved by thickening with cornflour. Perfect for cozy evenings or special occasions, this recipe serves two and comes together in just 10 minutes.

Ingredients

Hot Chocolate Base

2 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tbsp sugar
150 g (1 cup minus 1 tbsp) semi-sweet milk chocolate chips
4 tsp kirsch
480 ml (2 cups) milk

Thickening Mixture

2 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
4 tbsp cold water

Toppings

4 tbsp whipped cream
8 kirsch cherries (from a jar of cherries soaked in kirsch, threaded onto two cocktail sticks)
2 tbsp hazelnuts (roughly chopped)

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Instructions

Prepare the Hot Chocolate Base: Place the cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate chips, kirsch, and milk in a small saucepan. Heat the mixture over low heat, stirring slowly and continuously until the chocolate chips are fully melted and the liquid is hot but not boiling.
Make the Cornflour Slurry: In a small bowl, mix the cornflour with four tablespoons of cold water until it forms a smooth slurry with no lumps.
Thicken the Hot Chocolate: With the hot chocolate still on low heat, slowly pour the cornflour slurry into the saucepan a little at a time while whisking continuously. Continue stirring until the mixture thickens to a custard-like but pourable consistency.
Serve and Garnish: Pour the thickened hot chocolate evenly into two cups. Top each with two tablespoons of whipped cream, sprinkle the chopped hazelnuts over the cream, and place a cocktail stick threaded with four kirsch cherries on top. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

Keep the heat low to prevent the chocolate from burning or the milk from boiling.
Adjust the thickness by adding more or less cornflour slurry depending on your preference.
Kirsch cherries add a delightful boozy touch; substitute with maraschino cherries if unavailable.
Use high-quality semi-sweet chocolate chips for the best flavor.
Whipped cream can be substituted with a dairy-free alternative for lactose intolerance.