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!
Becky
I’ve made this a couple of times now, and we love it! I used milk chocolate instead of the darker because I knew hubby would like it better. The second time, I doubled it and saved the leftovers for the following day. Hubby and son reheated it and said it was still delicious. I actually pored it over ice, and oh, my! Decadent! Thanks for the super simple, delicious recipe!
Allison
Poured it over ice?! That sounds AMAZING! Thanks for the kind review. 🙂
Briana Payan
I made this tonight, and it’s very rich! I’m on a calorie deficit so I swapped out regular milk for unsweet almond milk, granulated sugar for granulated swerve sweetener, and the chocolate for lily’s dark chocolate baking chips. I love rich hot chocolate, so this was perfect.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Debra
I never leave reviews. This is so good and nostalgic. I use less sugar more chocolate but it’s amazing as written. Chef’s kiss!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Cortney
Used this with vanilla flavored oat milk and the chocolate stuffed marshmallows.. BEST hot coco I’ve had😍
Allison
Sounds delicious! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Vanessa
As a college student I normally have to rely on quick packaged foods and I had the urge to make hot cocoa but desperately didn’t want any packaged brands. Cranked up the Christmas music and a quick run for whipped cream and marshmallows, and I whipped this up in less than 5 minutes and it just hit the spot. Thank you!! I used oatmilk and it was wonderful 🙂
Allison
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
mia
So Good!
Charlotte smith
This hot chocolate mix is delicious and make a great mix for Christmas gifts. I also made Christmas cookies in a jar for gifts and all my family wanted me to make more for this year….instead of using real milk for jars you can substitute with dried milk. The only thing is you use water to cook in the pan.
Allison
Great idea! Thanks for sharing!
Rhoda
This was so wonderful! Oh, and very easy to make as well. I used my immersion blender to avoid whisking. I added marshmallows while still in the pan then added just a few more to the cup. Thank you for the good recipe.
Allison
You’re welcome! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Keli
Dear God this is good!! Will be my staple homemade hot chocolate recipe from now on!
Allison
Yay! I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Zoie
Super delicious! I only did the two serving instructions and I was actually pretty surprised for how good it was. I’ll be making this again and again. Just because it was simple and really good. Thank you for sharing the recipe
Allison
You’re very welcome!