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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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!
Sarah
So goood !!!! Thanks for a great recipe got my chocolate craving out ! Used oat milk super delicious
Allison
You’re welcome! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Peter Dre Galvan
This is so good! Making this for my family on Christmas Day!
Allison
Great! Enjoy!
Sheila
Absolutely delicious and oh so easy! A nice rich chocolate flavor! I’ll never do packet hot chocolate again!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Lauren
Much too rich for our tastes. My husband said it tasted like bad coffee.
Allison
I’ve never heard that before. Did you accidentally use unsweetened chocolate?
Sharon
Very good recipe. I added a pinch of salt too. I also enjoy adding a pinch of cayenne pepper sometimes.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Elita
Great recipe! We had some leftover white chocolate Ghirardelli chips from our Christmas cookies and used those. It came out delicious! Nice before bed treat with some fresh whipped cream.
Allison
Sounds great! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Brittany
Delicious! My kids came in from building snowmen and had a warm cup of this waiting! Didn’t have chocolate chips so I added more cocoa powder but still came out good.
Allison
Perfect! Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Linda Hirvela
Works perfectly I used after eight chocolate to make it minty 😊
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Lil
Super delicious and perfect for cold days!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Deirdre Kelly
Could you sub dark brown sugar for white sugar and add cinnamon?
Allison
That should work. Enjoy!