Castillian Hot Chocolate is a simple, warming drink, but it’s voluptuously thick and rich. It’s like drinking pudding before it’s set.
I’m responding to the weird weather by pouring myself a big steaming cup of thick Castillian Hot Chocolate. I think that’s the only sane response, after all, if this past week is any indication, it looks like we may be in for a long one.
Drinkable chocolate has been around forever. Just ask the Aztecs and the Mayans. It was even around in the 1980s when Anna Thomas published a recipe for it in her Vegetarian Epicure book two. That’s when I discovered it and I’ve been drinking it ever since.
The secret? Good cocoa powder and…corn starch.
The Spanish drink it for breakfast. They also dunk their churros in it. You can add a teaspoon of espresso powder, cinnamon, or vanilla to it. I like mine simmered with a vanilla bean. The flavor will also vary depending on the cocoa powder you use. You can, of course, also make it with shaved chocolate, or authentic Spanish chocolate called Taza which you can buy here if you can’t find it in a local market. I used the cocoa powder I had on hand, Ghirardelli.
Recipe from The Vegetarian Epicure book two.
Castillian Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 Tbsp + 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 cup water
- 4 cups whole milk
Instructions
- In a pan mix the cocoa and sugar together.
- Dissolve the cornstarch in the water and add it to the pan, stirring together to make a paste.
- Heat the mixture, and with a whisk pour in the milk. Heat over medium heat, whisking often, until the cocoa comes to a simmer. Continue to heat and stir until the cocoa becomes thick and glossy. The color will deepen as it thickens.
- Pour into large mugs and enjoy.
18 Comments
kittykatsanddubstep
August 29, 2017 at 10:41 pmIn Wellington NZ, there’s this restaurant called Scopa that sells award winning hot chocolate, it’s like drinking liquid heaven! After doing some research, I tried this recipe and found out that it’s exactly the same as their hot chocolate! Shared it with my friends in amazement and they all praise me for it thanks to you!!
Sue
August 30, 2017 at 7:42 amI literally crave thick hot chocolate in the winter, and I’m always on the hunt for new and exciting drinking chocolate, I’d love to experience the one at Scopa! I’m so glad you liked this one ~ happy sipping 🙂
grace
November 6, 2011 at 9:06 ami’m so glad you got an action shot of this being poured–what decadence!
annie
November 5, 2011 at 6:09 pmHow have I missed all these great and beautiful recipes lately! I must make this…I love the way it looks…I can only imagine how delicious it tastes!
A Bigger Closet
November 4, 2011 at 2:19 pmThis looks delicious. I always make hot chocolate with cocoa powder and raw sugar but I’ll have try this thickened version, maybe with a spot of vanilla.
Joanne
November 3, 2011 at 10:49 amYes, I agree – hot chocolate is the only solution!
Tina
November 2, 2011 at 11:54 pmWith the wind blowing out of the north, this does look the the perfect indulgence. It has been ages since I have had hot chocolate-but this post has definitely influenced me to change that. Delicious.
Mary
November 3, 2011 at 5:25 amThis sounds delicious. I’m really fond of puddings and this one sounds close to perfect.I also love that last photo. I hope you have a great evening. Blessings…Mary
Becky at VintageMixer
November 2, 2011 at 9:37 pmThank you for this post!! I had this in Spain years ago and have been wanting to recreate it since then. It looks magical. Now I just need a good churro recipe for dunking.
Kitchen Belleicious
November 2, 2011 at 5:48 pmOkay, I need to make this NOW!
Nessa Robins
November 2, 2011 at 11:11 pmDelicious and your photos are really beautiful! Hot chocolate is something my boys love as a warming treat!
Three-Cookies
November 2, 2011 at 3:50 pmLooks absolutely divine. I have never tried hot chocolate prepared with cornstarch – that would add nice thickness. Thanks for the idea, it will come in handy during the cold winter nights!
Lizzy
November 2, 2011 at 8:11 pmOh, my…how rich and irresistible! Perfect hot chocolate…thick and creamy…mmmmmmm.
yummychunklet
November 2, 2011 at 7:33 pmOMG. YUM! I’m making this tonight.
Priyanka
November 2, 2011 at 6:55 pmAwesome..I love hot chocolate. But have never made it so elegantly , I will try it ur way coz that look SUPERB.
The very first pic got me drooling… 🙂
Bourbon&Pearls
November 2, 2011 at 3:51 pmI always put chilli in my hot chocolate , I don’t know what corn starch is but it must be a thickener. Oh I made the salted peanut cookies – my first ever go at making cookies! I put masses of salt on top – oh boy were they good.
I think the sweater is bright dahlia, I can’t believe how bobbly it’s getting after just a few wears. The trousers are really quiet but I know what you mean about that rustling you expect with real taffeta!
Barbara
November 2, 2011 at 3:04 pmThat’s almost a pudding! Delish, Sue.
From Beyond My Kitchen Window
November 2, 2011 at 12:59 pmKeep it warm, I’ll be right over. Yum, so creamy and your photography is stunning as usual.