Skip to main content
Epicurious
Cookbooks

Chocolate Español

Montezuma introduced Cortés to chocolate in the sixteenth century, and the Spaniards immediately began messing around with it. The original Mexican beverage (preceding recipe) was tweaked to suit the tastes of the Spaniards, and their associated versions of hot chocolate remain different to this day. Spanish hot chocolate is incredibly rich and thick—almost like loose pudding—and perfect for dunking Churros (page 655). Some people use cornstarch (or eggs) to thicken their chocolate, but I prefer the natural thickness that comes from melting chocolate into milk.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 4 servings

Ingredients

1/2 pound good-quality semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
1 quart milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put the chocolate, milk, and sugar in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Whisk slowly until the chocolate melts and the sugar dissolves.

    Step 2

    When the mixture is smooth and steamy, transfer to mugs, top with a dusting of cinnamon, and serve.

The Best Recipes in the World by Mark Bittman. © 2005 by Mark Bittman. Published by Broadway Books. All Rights Reserved. MARK BITTMAN is the author of the blockbuster The Best Recipes in the World (Broadway, 2005) and the classic bestseller How to Cook Everything, which has sold more than one million copies. He is also the coauthor, with Jean-Georges Vongerichten, of Simple to Spectacular and Jean-Georges: Cooking at Home with a Four-Star Chef. Mr. Bittman is a prolific writer, makes frequent appearances on radio and television, and is the host of The Best Recipes in the World, a 13-part series on public television. He lives in New York and Connecticut.
TagsHot ChocolateBeveragesSpanishEuropeanChocolate5 Ingredients or FewerSimmerCookbooks
Read More
The Only Frittata Recipe You’ll Ever Need
Keep this easy frittata recipe on hand for quick breakfasts, impressive brunches, and fridge clean-out meals.
Caramelized Onion Pasta
Turn humble onions into this thrifty yet luxe pasta dinner.
The Most-Saved Recipes in the Epicurious App in April
Like fattoush salad and strawberry shortcake roll.
Cottage Cheese Caramelized Onion Dip
Add a bag of potato chips and you've got yourself a party.
Golden Mushroom Soup With Orzo & a Pat of Butter
This is the type of soup that, at first glance, might seem a little…unexciting. But you’re underestimating the power of mushrooms, which do the heavy lifting.
How to Thaw Fish Fast
The most efficient method takes less than an hour, but you might not even need it.
Whole Lemon Bars
Using two entire lemons—pith, skin, and all—cranks up the citrus flavor in this classic dessert.
31 Spring Cocktails for Warmer Days Ahead
Think a Hugo spritz, a gin basil smash, and plenty more patio-ready pours.