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: 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.
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
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.
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!
MORE HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPES:
NEVER MISS A RECIPE!
SUBSCRIBE to our free EMAIL LIST – LIKE us on FACEBOOK – Follow on INSTAGRAM
Recipe
Homemade Hot Chocolate
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
Nutrition
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!
Katie
My husband and our son are watching Harry Potter before I go into work. We were out of hot chocolate mix and I found this recipe to make our movie experience perfect. It tastes wonderful.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
Reginald Johnson
Super simple. Super quick. Super delicious.
There’s not much else to say. This is a great go-to recipe whenever you want some hot chocolate, and the straightforward recipe leaves plenty of room for you to sprinkle some creativity on top.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
Lois king
Tried it and it was great didn’t have chocolate chips but it was still sooo good!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
Mariah
This is a great combination of ingredients but it’s pretty strong depending on what chocolate you use. I suggest less coco powder/ chocolate. Good recipe tho!
Allison
Thanks for sharing your experience. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Kristen
I made this cocoa for my socially distanced outside birthday pic nic and it was a hit! I started it on the stovetop but 1 gallon of milk was taking too long to heat up and I was running out of time, so I put everything in the slow cooker and let it do it’s thing! I used half special dark and and half regular cocoa powder, semisweet chips and only half of the sugar ( I actually left the vanilla measured out on the counter until the evening Lol – no one noticed, not even me). It was an extra special treat when I added a little bourbon and spicy Kahlua! Thanks for the recipe!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
Nada
Hi Allison
my name is Nada, and i am 12 i saw your recipe and i would like to feature it in my newspaper that i will publish on January so i wanted to ask for permission and plus i will give you credit for your amazing work. Thanks for your time and i hope u like my idea:)
Allison
Hi, Nada. Thank you for checking. As long as you give credit (with a link if it’s online) that is fine. Enjoy! Happy holidays!
Tricia
Hello! Would this keep in a crockpot for a couple of hours?
Allison
Yes, it should. I actually a have a Crock Pot Hot Chocolate recipe which is loosely based off this recipe. Crock Pot Hot Chocolate Enjoy!
Jason Cooper
We are watching Polar Express and I needed a good recipe for homemade hot cocoa for the grandkids. This recipe is a HUGE hit!
Allison
How fun! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
Lucy
We are watching Home Alone 2, and this goes perfectly with the holiday season atmosphere and the cold weather outside. I especially enjoyed the vanilla extract and chocolate chips. So easy to make and so tasty. Thank you for sharing!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
Donna Turner
How would this be made for someone who needs it to be diet? With out sugar. My husband who can’t have sugar would love to enjoy a nice cup of hot cocoa when I make this for my family.
Allison
You’d need some sort of sugar substitute, as well as sugar free chocolate chips. There’s also naturally occurring sugar in the milk, so maybe use unsweetened almond milk? You’d have to play around with it.
Laurianna
Hi Allison you do not know me I’m Laurianna i am 11 Year old,how old are you?You can teach me how to a Homemade Hot Chocolate.PLEASE!
Allison
You can follow the recipe and watch the video. It’s quite simple. Enjoy!