Disneyland's Hot Chocolate Recipe
Experience the magic of Disney parks at home with this incredibly rich and thick hot chocolate recipe. Made with premium cocoa, heavy cream, and sweetened condensed milk, this copycat version delivers the authentic Disney taste that has made park visitors fall in love with this legendary beverage for decades.
Equipment
- Medium-sized heavy-bottomed saucepan
- Wire whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Small mixing bowl
- Ladle for serving
Ingredients
For the Hot Chocolate Base
- 2-3 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup high-quality cocoa powder
- 1-2 tablespoons grated milk chocolate
- 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
For Topping and Serving
- Whipped cream
- Ground cinnamon
- Chocolate shavings (optional)
Instructions
- Pour 2-3 cups of whole milk and ½ cup of heavy cream into a medium-sized heavy-bottomed saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the mixture is steaming and tiny bubbles form around the edges. Watch carefully and never let it boil, as this can scald the milk and create an unpleasant taste.
- In a small bowl, whisk together ½ cup cocoa powder and 1-2 tablespoons of grated chocolate. Add about ½ cup of the hot milk mixture to this bowl and whisk until completely smooth. This prevents lumps in your final hot chocolate.
- Slowly pour the chocolate mixture back into the saucepan while whisking constantly. Add the entire can of sweetened condensed milk and ⅛ teaspoon of vanilla extract. Whisk until completely combined and smooth.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently. The mixture should thicken enough to coat the back of a spoon. Taste and adjust thickness by adding more milk if needed.
- Ladle the hot chocolate into heat-resistant mugs and top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of ground cinnamon. Add chocolate shavings if desired. Serve while hot for the authentic Disney park experience.
Notes
Pro Tips: Always use high-quality cocoa powder (Dutch-processed works best) and real chocolate for grating. Ghirardelli or Scharffen Berger chocolate provides the most authentic Disney taste. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat gently over low heat. Never microwave as it can cause separation. This recipe can be doubled or tripled for larger groups while maintaining the same cooking process.
Nutrition
Calories: 385kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 12gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 165mgPotassium: 480mgFiber: 3gSugar: 44g
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