Thick Creamy Hot Chocolate with White Chocolate Marshmallow Cream

On  a trip to Italy,  one of the places I visited was the beautiful Renaissance city of Florence.

An overwhelmingly stunning place that will leave  lasting memories for anyone who appreciates the arts, culture and the Italian lifestyle.

   I walked through narrow passages  that unfolded into beautiful piazzas and into one of my favorite places - Piazza Della Signoria. 

This piazza is famous for it's outdoor museum -  home to Michelangelo's "David", the 'real' David

 being in the Accademia of course.

  Restaurants, cafes, artists and tourists decorate this lovely piazza.  Piazza Della Signoria   is

 where I had my first real hot chocolate - Cioccolata Calda ! 

The hot chocolate that most of us are use to here in North America is a  watery  hot mug of

chocolate made from  powder  in a package, that we take little sips of.

The hot chocolate in Italy is best enjoyed with a spoon because of it's thick , creamy custard like consistency.

I wanted to try to create this thick and blissful drink at home

  to remind me of my days in Florence.

Ingredients :

1- 4oz 60% cacao bittersweet baking bar 

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chip

1/2 cup whipping cream

1 cup whole milk

1-2 TB cornstarch, arrowroot or tapioca

* I used Ghiradelli chocolate

In a pot add all the ingredients and heat on low until chocolate

is melted and smooth.  Add the cornstarch. Heat until the chocolate thickens.

For the White Chocolate Marshmallow Cream, in a pot on low heat melt 1- 4oz white chocolate baking bar, add 1 TB cream and 1 cup of small marshmallow.

Heat until the marshmallow melts down and is blended with the

white chocolate.

Pour the thick hot chocolate in your favorite mug,

spoon some of the marshmallow goodness

over top and enjoy !