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Home » Drinks » Homemade Hot Chocolate

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Published: Dec 22, 2018 by Allison · 956 Comments

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Creamy Homemade Hot Chocolate. A combination of cocoa powder and chocolate chips make this hot chocolate extra flavorful and delicious! Ready in minutes.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Homemade Hot Chocolate: You sweet, creamy heavenly thing. If you were wondering how I would like to spend every December evening, it is curled up, with my hands wrapped around a warm mug of hot chocolate. Bonus points if that hot chocolate is topped with freshly whipped cream and a heavy sprinkle of chopped dark chocolate.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Filed under the list of things I will not consume: frosting from a tub, cool whip, and hot chocolate out of a packet. Friends, it is so incredibly easy to make Homemade Hot Chocolate. Put down that powdery packet! Throw a handful of real ingredients into a saucepan and you will have Homemade Hot Chocolate in minutes! It’s simple, delicious, and so much more satisfying than the store-bought stuff.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Homemade Hot Chocolate

This recipe is made with a combination of cocoa powder and chocolate chips. The cocoa powder adds the distinct “hot cocoa” flavor, and the chocolate chips melt into the mixture making this drink extra creamy, rich and luxurious. A splash of vanilla extract rounds out all that chocolaty flavor and makes this what I consider the perfect Homemade Hot Chocolate.

  • Place the milk of your choice in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Using milk instead of water, makes this hot chocolate extra creamy and flavorful. I prefer whole milk or 2% milk, but you can choose any milk that you choose (I’ve even used unsweetened almond milk).
  • Whisk in cocoa powder and sugar, and heat until warm.
  • Once the milk is warm, add chocolate chips, whisking until they melt into the milk.
  • Add a splash of vanilla extract.
  • Serve immediately, topped with your favorite garnishes: marshmallows, whipped cream, chopped chocolate, crushed candy canes or more.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

One of the wonderful things about making hot chocolate from scratch is that you can make it exactly the way you want it!

  • Want it extra rich? Add some half and half.
  • Want it less sweet? Use bittersweet/dark chocolate chips.
  • Want it healthier? Use skim milk or almond milk, and reduce the sugar a touch.
  • Want flavored hot chocolate? Add cinnamon, peppermint extract, a shot of espresso, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

The options are endless!

Homemade Hot Chocolate

MORE HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPES:

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SPIKED HOT CHOCOLATE

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Recipe

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Creamy Homemade Hot Chocolate. A combination of cocoa powder and chocolate chips make this hot chocolate extra flavorful and delicious! Ready in minutes.
4.95 from 838 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved!
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 1 minute minute
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 6 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 (see note for smaller servings)
Calories: 323kcal
Author: Allison - Celebrating Sweets

Ingredients

  • 4 cups milk (preferably whole or 2%)
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bar
  • ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Place milk, cocoa powder and sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium/medium-low heat, whisking frequently, until warm (but not boiling). Add chocolate chips and whisk constantly until the chocolate chips melt and distribute evenly into the milk. Whisk in vanilla extract, serve immediately. 

Video

Notes

SMALLER SERVINGS
2 servings:
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
¼ cup chocolate chips
⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 single serving:
1 cup milk
1 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons chocolate chips
1-2 drops vanilla extract

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 121mg | Potassium: 403mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 445IU | Calcium: 309mg | Iron: 1.1mg

Nutritional Information is an estimate based on third-party calculations and may vary based on products used and serving sizes.

Tried this recipe?Leave a comment and rating below!
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4.95 from 838 votes (430 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Patti

    December 12, 2024 at 6:59 pm

    I’m so excited to make this recipe! I plan to make it in advance and bring it to a game night with friends. Does it reheat well if I heat it in a saucepan over the stove? Thank you!

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 17, 2024 at 10:47 am

      Hi! I’d recommend the crock pot version: crock pot hot chocolate.

      Reply
  2. Kimmy

    December 12, 2024 at 9:59 pm

    5 stars
    Oooh this was a really simple but deliciously satisfying hot cocoa. 👍

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 17, 2024 at 10:46 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  3. Lynnette Martinez

    December 13, 2024 at 6:07 am

    Could you put this in a thermos to drink an hour or so later?

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 17, 2024 at 10:45 am

      Sure!

      Reply
  4. Lily Elezabeth Evans Ages.

    December 13, 2024 at 1:24 pm

    5 stars
    smells delicious!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 17, 2024 at 10:44 am

      Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Sandy

    December 13, 2024 at 10:45 pm

    5 stars
    I make this for my very boujee, very picky 78 year old father. He loves it and won’t drink any other hot chocolate. He is dairy free so I use 1/2 unsweetened soy milk and 1/2 oatmilk. If I could give you 10 stars I would. Thank you

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 17, 2024 at 10:42 am

      Ha! I love that! Thanks for the kind review. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Michelle

    December 14, 2024 at 4:14 pm

    5 stars
    This was delicious! My kids loved it. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 17, 2024 at 10:31 am

      You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

      Reply
  7. Jonathan Poe

    December 14, 2024 at 7:33 pm

    5 stars
    NUMMY NUMMY NUM

    Reply
  8. Anon

    December 14, 2024 at 8:56 pm

    5 stars
    Super tasty! I used bittersweet chocolate because it is what I had on hand so it wasn’t overly sweet.

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 17, 2024 at 9:45 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Karli

    December 15, 2024 at 2:33 pm

    5 stars
    Absolutely delicious! Idk why I’d use the powder ever again! Have you ever made a large batch of this for a crowd? Maybe in the crockpot?

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 17, 2024 at 9:42 am

      Hi, Karli! Yep! That recipe is here: crock pot hot chocolate. Enjoy!

      Reply
  10. kayla baldwin

    December 16, 2024 at 12:20 pm

    5 stars
    thankyou

    Reply
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aboutHi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....

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