The Best Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe (2024)

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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!

The Best Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe (1)

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!

Table of Contents hide

1 Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe

2 DIY Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe

2.1 Ingredients

2.2 Instructions

2.3 Do you love Belgian hot Chocolate?

2.4 What is your favorite Belgian Hot chocolate recipe combinations?

The Best Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe (2)

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 squirt of Reddi Whip 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.

The Best Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe (3)

Top with more whipped cream and chocolate flakes. Serve warm.

The Best Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe (4)

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!

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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!

Yield: 1

DIY Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe

The Best Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe (6)

Prep Time5 minutes

Cook Time5 minutes

Total Time10 minutes

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

  1. Add half milk, chocolate and salt in pan and heat on low heat.
  2. Stir until all chocolate is melted.
  3. Add remaining ingredients.
  4. Heat on Medium High heat.
  5. Stir rapidly
  6. Do not let boil
  7. Once all ingredients are dissolved, serve warm.
  8. Top with whipped cream and Chocolate curls/shavings.
  9. Enjoy!

The Best Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe (7)

Do you love Belgian hot Chocolate?

What is your favorite Belgian Hot chocolate recipe combinations?

The Best Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate? ›

Marshmallows: The Unsung Hero

Believe it or not, the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate is none other than marshmallows. These fluffy, sweet confections are the unsung heroes of the hot chocolate world, adding a delightful creaminess and hint of sweetness that takes the drink to a whole new level.

What's the best milk to use for hot chocolate? ›

The best type of milk for making hot chocolate is whole milk. This is because the higher fat content in whole milk creates a creamier and richer hot chocolate. However, if you are looking for a healthier option, almond milk or oat milk can also work well as they add a subtle nutty or oaty flavor to the hot chocolate.

What is the difference between Belgian chocolate and Belgium chocolate? ›

This is a common misconception - there is no such thing as 'Belgium Chocolate'. Belgium is the name of the country and anything originating in or from Belgium, whether it's food / drink / language / the people are 'Belgian', therefore chocolate produced in Belgium is 'Belgian Chocolate'.

How do you make options Belgian chocolate? ›

Boil some water and let it cool slightly. Add 3 teaspoons (11g) of Options in to your favourite mug, fill with hot water and stir well. For a creamier drink, try adding a dash of milk. Enough for 20 servings per jar.

What makes hot chocolate taste better? ›

You can add a little vanilla to adjust the flavor if you like. If you want your hot chocolate richer, darker, use a little more cocoa. If you want your hot cocoa milder and sweeter, use more milk.

What is the best cocoa powder for hot chocolate? ›

The answer to this is highly subjective, however, we prefer natural cocoa powder for its higher cocoa butter content (more fat equals more flavor). We recommend trying out cocoa powders from GERBS, Sunfood Superfoods, Penzeys, and Pure Natural Miracles, all of which are available online.

Does adding milk to hot chocolate make it better? ›

Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.

Which chocolate is best for hot chocolate? ›

Homemade hot chocolate recipes contain very few ingredients, and the largest ingredient is chocolate, so be picky. Use dark or bittersweet chocolate. Milk chocolate will be too sweet, at least for most European tastebuds.

What is the secret of Belgian chocolate? ›

The secret of Belgian chocolate lies in what goes into it, and the know-how of the Master Chocolatiers. Chocolate 'made in Belgium' is characterised by a higher chocolate content than in other countries. The minimum level is 43%. Plus, the chocolate has to be 100% pure cocoa butter, with no added vegetable fats.

What makes Belgian chocolate the best? ›

A high cocoa content

The percentage of cocoa in Belgian chocolate is higher than that of chocolate produced elsewhere. In addition, Belgian chocolate contains 100% cocoa butter. In combination with the traditional fillings from Ovidias, this ensures a delicious taste experience when eating our Belgian chocolates.

What is the most famous Belgian chocolate? ›

Top Belgian chocolate brands
  • Côte d'Or. On 24 April 1883 Charles Neuhaus registered the Côte d'Or brand. ...
  • Godiva. The Godiva Chocolatier story is the story of a craftsman chocolate maker, whose name has become a symbol of luxury and prestige the world over. ...
  • Leonidas. ...
  • Mary. ...
  • Neuhaus.

What are the ingredients in Belgian chocolate? ›

The only ingredients in Belgian chocolate are cocoa power, cocoa butter, sugar, vanilla, and soy lecithin, and in the case of milk or white chocolate there is also milk powder. This is another difference with Swiss chocolate which often includes Malt, and if so, is not gluten free.

What makes Belgian chocolate taste different? ›

Because Belgian chocolate uses a high quantity of cocoa beans in their chocolate production process, they add less refined sugar to their chocolate offerings. Meanwhile, competing countries tend to use more sugar and lower quantities of cocoa beans, resulting in some taste differences.

Why is Belgian chocolate so expensive? ›

The answer lies in the quality of the ingredients used. Belgian chocolate is made with only the finest cocoa beans. These beans are roasted to perfection and ground into a smooth paste. Then, they are combined with pure, fresh cream to create a decadent ganache.

How to make gourmet village hot chocolate? ›

Place 2 tbsp (30 ml) hot chocolate mix in a mug. Add 170-230 ml (6-8 oz) boiling water or very hot milk. Stir well & enjoy!

What makes gourmet chocolate better? ›

Gourmet chocolate refers to high-quality chocolates produced with exceptional care, using superior-grade ingredients (like Cluizel, which has the “Noble Ingredients” certification, guaranteeing the use of only pure cocoa butter, Bourbon vanilla pod, no soy lecithin or added flavors).

What is indulgent hot chocolate? ›

Indulgence Collection Original Hot Chocolate 2kg

A traditional smooth, velvety hot chocolate, with 25% cocoa and suitable for vegans. Instructions: To make a 12oz drink, use 25g of hot chocolate powder and either: Mix with a splash of hot water to form a smooth paste.

Is gourmet chocolate better than regular chocolate? ›

Gourmet chocolate tends to be sourced ethically, and is usually single origin, meaning the cacao came from just one country. The processing matters, too: High-end chocolate will be tempered to a smooth, glossy finish. There's typically a higher percentage of cacao as well (at least 70%).

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