Chocolat à l’ancienne (with dairy-free option)
French hot chocolate. Amazingly decadent, surprisingly simple. French has the perfect word to describe this delicious treat: onctueux – a word that means rich, smooth, and creamy all at the same time.
Chocolat à l’ancienne, which could translate to “old-fashioned chocolate,” is served in famous Parisian cafés. It is a special treat, but it can be made at home quite easily, with a few simple ingredients.
Are you ready to enjoy it? Let’s make chocolat à l’ancienne.
Ingredients:
Ingredients (for 2 small cups of hot chocolate):
12 ounces (1.5 cups) whole milk*
3 ounces dark chocolate (60% – 90%) – broken into pieces
½ tsp vanilla extract or one cinnamon stick
*For dairy-free version, use 1 cup coconut milk from a carton and 1/2 cup canned coconut milk, in place of whole milk.
1 1/2 cups whole milk
Chocolat à l’ancienne is rich and creamy. You can use 1.5 cups whole milk, or for an even creamier version, consider using 1 1/4 cups whole milk and 1/4 cup heavy cream.
OR: For a dairy-free version, use 1 cup coconut milk from a carton, and 1/2 cup canned coconut milk
If you would like to make a dairy free version, use 1 cup coconut milk from a carton and 1/2 cup coconut milk from a can. Canned coconut milk has a higher fat content than coconut milk from a carton. This proportion of canned and carton coconut milk gives the right balance to be similar to whole milk.
3 oz. dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
Chocolat à l’ancienne is mean to be rich and not overly sweet. You can use dark chocolate from 60% to 90%. The lower the percent, the sweeter your drink will be. (You can always add extra sweetener to each cup to your taste.)
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract or a cinnamon stick
Add a flavor of your choice to your hot chocolat. 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, or a cinnamon stick. (Be sure to remove the cinnamon stick before serving.)
Instructions:
Pour milk into saucepan. Turn burner to medium heat. Add chocolate pieces and vanilla extract (or cinnamon stick). Wisk continually until a thick and creamy mixture forms. Pour into a small pitcher. Serve on a tray with two cups. Add sweetener as desired.
Watch our video to see how easy it is to make chocolat à l’ancienne.
Enjoy!
