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!
Kaydence
It’ss really good
Isa
I’m a hot chocolate and a chocolate lover. This recipe is too strong and even after adding more milk, it didn’t taste good. Had great expectations.
Allison
Perhaps you over-measured the cocoa powder? You can use milk chocolate chips to make it less “strong”.
DEM
The foundation of healthy eating is teaching that sweets don’t come from crinkly packages, but from the kitchen. My toddler is learning this now, and getting to make this for her after a cold run on the playground was amazing.
She also burned her mouth. That was my fault. But the point is, this is fantastic and tastes like it did when I was growing up. I recommend adding a pinch each of: Salt, cinnamon, and hot pepper (chipotle, red cayenne, etc.)
Les
Easy and delicious!
Les
Easy and delicious and satisfying
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
kaitlyn
This is a really good hot chocolate recipe.
Allison
Thanks!
Maisie Thompson
It is really nice
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Wendy
Love this recipe. I sprinkled some ground cinnamon on top of my hot chocolate.
Allison
Yum! Sounds great. Thanks for stopping by!
Shawn Murakawa
Oh so yummy! I had to make one cup after dinner…ha. Tried the 2 cup recipe this morning with almond milk and granulated sugar and it hit the spot as we had run out of cocoa packets. Then after dinner I wanted to try it with monk fruit sweetener (with almond milk) so I made one cup and it was delicious. Now I want to try it with different flavored chips…yum! Now I can my own hot chocolate mix. Thank you!
Allison
You’re welcome! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Sara
Can I make this ahead of time and reheat it the next day?
Allison
I haven’t tried it but I would assume so. I’d wait to add the chocolate chips and vanilla until right before serving.