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!
CiCi
I highly recommend using oat milk! It made it a nice thick and creamy consistency without having to employ half and half, which is much more fattening. I also loved adding some cinnamon. Great recipe!
Allison
Perfect! Thanks for sharing, I’m sure other readers will be happy to hear that the swap worked well. 🙂
May
Its super amazing ! Long time ago i search about hot chocolate recipe and I like it so much, the taste is same to the hot chocolate for (winter in london), I add little melting marshmallow at the top, it’s wonderful!
THANK YOU!
Allison
I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Lila
I don’t have milk on me right now can I just use water?
Allison
Hhhhhhhm….It won’t be very creamy, and I’m not sure if the melted chocolate chips will separate. I recommend trying the single serving first (in the recipe notes) so that if it doesn’t work you don’t waste many ingredients.
Sarah
Amazing! Prepared as directed and turned out perfect
Allison
I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Cindy
Just made this morning absolutely amazing.
Allison
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Amani
HI
I TRIED THIS RECIPE TODAY. MY KIDS AND I ENJOYED IT SO MUCH! THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS RECIPE. WHAT I REALLY LOVE ABOUT THIS RECIPE IS THAT IT IS NOT TOO SWEET AT THE SAME TIME VERY DELICIOUS!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Nina
My bf loves hot chocolate and always buys store bought mixes. I decided to look for a homemade recipe beginning of winter 2020 when I came across this one. He now only drinks this kind lol I use coconut milk cuz he has lactose issues and it comes out perfect! Thank you for this.
Allison
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
paulita
no words. yammy yammy and yammy.kids and parents love it
Suzin
This had a nice creamy flavor but was a little too sweet for my taste. I did cut the recipe in half, so maybe that contributed to its over sweetness. I will try this recipe again but cut down on the number of chocolate chips.
Summer
Yum! We had our once a year snow event in North Carolina today and tradition holds that hot cocoa must be served! So I whipped up a few cups for myself and the kids, huge hit! Will be adding to my list of recipes to have on hand. Thanks!
Allison
Perfect! I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂