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Home » Drinks » Homemade Hot Chocolate

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Published: Dec 22, 2018 by Allison · 736 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:

WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE

A close up of a glass cup on a table filled with white hot chocolate.

SPIKED HOT CHOCOLATE

Glass of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

NUTELLA HOT CHOCOLATE

Hot chocolate in a glass topped with marshmallows.

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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 656 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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Comments

  1. Magen Fawkes

    November 19, 2023 at 8:59 pm

    5 stars
    So good 🙂 has anyone tried to store and reheat it?

    Reply
    • Allison

      November 21, 2023 at 8:52 am

      That should be fine. You can also make a smaller serving as needed (see notes section of the recipe).

      Reply
  2. M

    November 25, 2023 at 9:04 am

    5 stars
    That’s a fantastic cup of hot chocolate! Not too sweet.

    Reply
    • Allison

      November 27, 2023 at 10:09 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

      Reply
  3. Margaret S

    November 25, 2023 at 2:50 pm

    5 stars
    This recipe was delicious! I followed the single serving recipe and put it in the microwave. It worked like a charm! I’m 9 months pregnant at Thanksgiving and obviously couldn’t partake in wine, so this was a nice treat to enjoy while we all sat around and chatted before dinner. I’ll hold on to this recipe for spiking with peppermint schnapps after the baby arrives! Thank you

    Reply
    • Allison

      November 27, 2023 at 10:09 am

      Great idea! Happy holidays!

      Reply
  4. Yolanda

    November 25, 2023 at 6:28 pm

    5 stars
    I normally don’t leave reviews but this genuinely was so creamy and delicious! Can’t wait to make for my whole family at Christmas!

    Reply
    • Allison

      November 27, 2023 at 10:08 am

      That’s great to hear! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂

      Reply
  5. Chani Diller

    November 27, 2023 at 8:04 am

    4 stars
    Definitely way more flavor than the packets! Almost a little too rich for me so I may make some adjustments.

    Reply
  6. Janie

    November 28, 2023 at 10:11 am

    5 stars
    Wow! You’re right, I’ll never buy cocoa pa let’s again. Wish I’d had some peppermint to add. Super easy and super creamy with the half and half added.

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 06, 2023 at 9:58 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply
  7. jan voght

    December 01, 2023 at 12:00 pm

    5 stars
    Bougie! Using this recipe a lot!

    Reply
  8. ANN K NADEAU

    December 03, 2023 at 7:40 am

    5 stars
    This is easy and yummy!

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 03, 2023 at 10:52 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  9. Claire

    December 03, 2023 at 2:23 pm

    5 stars
    Super super good and rich!!

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 06, 2023 at 9:54 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

      Reply
  10. Lindsey M.

    December 05, 2023 at 9:54 pm

    5 stars
    It was terrific! Thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply
    • Allison

      December 06, 2023 at 9:38 am

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

      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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