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!
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.
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!
Yield: 1
DIY Belgian Hot Chocolate Recipe
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
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?
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.
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.
Both are made with real, high grade couverture chocolate however a Parisian hot chocolate is generally sweetened with a little extra sugar while a Belgian one is not. (Please note that neither style can be considered low in sugar as they are both made with real chocolate.)
Belgium is home to more chocolate factories than any other country on earth, it's known as the 'chocolate capital of the world'. Belgium got its famous reputation when King Leopold II started harvesting cocoa crops in the late 19th century in the Congo.
“Belgian chocolate is made with pure 100% cocoa butter”
Companies can substitute the expensive cocoa butter with cheaper fillers like vegetable oils and lecithin to keep production costs low, but any company can do this.
Ingredients: Belgian chocolate has a higher proportion of cocoa liquor to cocoa butter than Swiss chocolate, giving it a richer, more intense chocolate flavor. The Swiss also tend to use condensed milk in their chocolate, whereas Belgians use whole milk.
Belgian chocolate is widely renowned as the best chocolate in the world, a statement usually confirmed by anyone's taste as soon as the rich and velvety chocolate hits their lips.
Leave it to the French to create one of the most decadent cups of hot chocolate you can find in the world. The recipe calls for the highest quality of chocolate that is at least 70% cocoa.
Meurisse — Belgium First Chocolate Co - Est. 1845. Building on our ancestor's artistry, we are dedicated to once again craft the most remarkable chocolate.
Belgian dark chocolate is a powerful source of antioxidants because it is loaded with biologically active organic compounds that function as antioxidants, some of which include flavanols, catechins, and polyphenols.
No variations, no additives, no dilution. Just pure, unadulterated cocoa butter for a rich taste experience. Sourcing the cocoa beans is another process all on its own. Belgian chocolatiers have always used high-quality beans, which are primarily sourced from West Africa.
Cocoa content: Belgian chocolates must contain at least 35% cocoa solids, with the exception of milk chocolate, which must contain at least 25% cocoa solids. Ingredients: Belgian chocolatiers must use only natural ingredients, such as cocoa butter, cocoa powder, sugar, and milk.
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.
“Belgian chocolate” is chocolate of which the complete process of mixing, refining and conching is done in Belgium. "In addition, Belgian chocolate is finely milled to 18 microns, below the feeling of the tongue's taste buds. This avoids having a grainy taste in the mouth when the chocolate melts on the tongue.
Introduction: My name is Francesca Jacobs Ret, I am a innocent, super, beautiful, charming, lucky, gentle, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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