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!
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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!
Joe
really great recipes I love it tastes great I needed some for Christmas just doesn’t feel right without it.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
BOB
I thought that the recipe was very flavorful. I think that it could have used more milk and less cocoa.
yesenia
it was good to make
Lourdes
I made the 1 serving it so yummy. thank you for the recipe..
Allison
Perfect! You’re very welcome. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Bella
I made it and its so good i didnt have enough milk so i used evaporated milk and it tastes amazing lol
Moscovium 115
Oh my goodness, my Mum used to make it like that for us many years ago….Such sweet memories of long ago ?❤
Joe
Great recipe! Added a quarter teaspoon of cinnamon and a dash of cayenne to bring it to the next level. Tasty with a dollop of fresh whipped cream on it.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Donna Harris
Can you use honey to replace all or part of the sugar?
Allison
That should work. They flavor of the honey will likely come through. You could also try pure maple syrup which I find to be a little more subtle in flavor. Also, just note that there will still be refined sugar in the chocolate chips. Enjoy!
Mikael
I think this really varies depending on the quality of cocoa you are working with. It was too rich with an astringency that just made me terribly thirsty for more milk with these proportions. I would also lessen the cocoa powder and increase the milk as someone else said.
Allison
Hi, Mikael. You can also reduce the amount of chocolate chips if you want it less chocolaty. Thanks for stopping by!
Jess
Just made this and it’s a perfectly decent cuppa hot choc-o-late! I think I’m going to make this again, I like it! One for the cookbook, thanks!! : )
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Cayman Mama
This was just perfect!
I used coconut milk instead and added whipped coconut cream at the top.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Lyn
Made this for my grandson to take along to a Christmas lights event this evening. Great cup of hot chocolate and he was thrilled with the addition of crushed candy cane!
Great recipe!
Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and your family.
Allison
That sounds perfect! I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂