Make Ultimate Hot Chocolate and a Sweet Gift Idea
Let’s Eat the World · Provencal Recipes · TasteHot chocolate is one of those drinks that makes you feel like a kid. On a cold, blustery, why not drink something sweet and delicious? This recipe is so quick to prepare that we hope you never resort to packaged hot cocoa again. See notes (below) for different flavour options.
Sweet Hot Chocolate Gift
What to offer the ingredients as a gift?
Substitute the 1 tsp vanilla extract with 1/2 tsp vanilla powder and whisk the all the dry ingredients together. Put into a sealed glass container, and decorate as you like.
Include these instructions in your packaging:
Making a cup of hot chocolate:
- Take 1-2 tablespoons of powdered cocoa mix and combine with 2-3 tablespoons milk to make a paste.
- Heat the 2/3 cup milk with 1/3 cup of heavy cream (35%) slowly. It should not boil.
- Pour hot milk-cream mixture into your chocolate paste, and stir well to combine.
- Add a pinch of chili pepper (optional) for a Mexican kick (or 1 tablespoon of Kaluha or liqueur of your choice)
- Enjoy!

Ultimate Hot Chocolate
Chef Eric Fraudeau’s warm (and slightly decadent) remedy for those cold winter days.
Ingredients
- 570 ml (2-1/2 cups) milk, whole
- 345 ml (1-1/2 cups) heavy cream (35%)
- 57 g (2 oz) Sugar
- 57 g (2 oz) cocoa powder unsweetened
- a pinch of Salt
- 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a saucepan, warm 450 ml (2 cups) of milk with 225 ml (1 cup) of cream.
- In the meantime mix sugar, cocoa, salt, the vanilla extract and the rest of the 120 ml (1/2 cup) milk mixing well until you obtain a paste with no lumps.

- Turn the stove on low, then add the paste slowly to the warm milk, whisking well to get a foamy creamy chocolate.
- Reheat until it is hot but don’t let the liquid boil!
- Whip the remaining 120 ml (1/2 cup) of leftover cream until you have a smooth whipped cream.
- Pour the hot chocolate into serving cups.
- Pour the cream on top and serve immediately.

Notes
A Mexican twist: add a cinnamon stick and a pinch of chili pepper to the milk when warming. Adult warm-up: if it's very cold outside, add 60 ml//¼ cup of Frangelico (hazelnut liquor) before pouring in the mugs.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Legal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Related Provence Articles
Remembering My Grandmother’s Chocolate Cake Recipe
July 3, 2020
A Book with Provencal Recipes: Small-town florist Natasha is determined to leave the past far behind her. But when she learns her ex-husband never told his family about their divorce – and that he needs her to accompany him on a trip to the French countryside – could love bloom again between them? ~ Excerpt …
Rich and Delicious: A Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe
January 24, 2025
While winter in Provence is nothing like what we experience in Vermont, there are plenty of cold mornings. The small ski hill on Mont Ventoux briefly opens during the cold months. The Southern Alps are a destination for family-friendly skiing and other snow activities during long weekends and vacances scolaire. Après, the outdoor fun, warm …
Steak au Chocolat a Sauce Recipe for Friends
January 8, 2020
This chocolate-based sauce for the steak adds a slightly decadent finish to the grilled meat. The sauce worked well in a pairing with the Hermitage La Petite Chapelle (2012) from Paul Jaboulet-Aîné, a red wine from the Northern Rhône Valley.…
Treat Yourself to Luxurious Easter Chocolates from Provence – Order Today!
March 25, 2025
Don’t wait for the Easter Bunny! Remember Provence has sourced high-quality chocolates and sweets at reasonable prices for the springtime holiday. Made in Provence with organic (74% cocoa) cocoa, these artisanal chocolates make great gifts. Produced with dark or milk chocolate by a French Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV)-labeled confectionery near Aix-en-Provence, these sweets are …
No Comment