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!
Michelle
Made a single serving and it was GREAT. The perfect treat I needed today. Thanks!
Tevya
Really good stuff!
Ashley
Will this still work if I put in a large insulated carafe for a party?
Allison
It should, although in order for the chocolate chips to stay melted it needs to stay hot. You can also try my slow cooker hot chocolate.
CC
Was out of hot chocolate mix and decided to see if I could make some out of cocoa powder and sugar. Tried this recipe and now I don’t think I’ll be buying hot chocolate mix anymore! I also added some cinnamon and it was perfection. Highly recommend trying this recipe with just a dash of cinnamon!
Allison
Yay! I love that! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Tiffany Hughes
I love this recipe. It is my go to for hot chocolate.when I want a mocha, I add 2 shots of espresso to this and it’s perfect. I have added a candy cane to it with whipped cream, also have used cool whip. This is the best base for anything that requires hot chocolate.
Allison
Thanks for the kind review! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Tabby
Very yummy! Thanks for including the smaller portion measurements.
Allison
You’re welcome. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Jessi
It’s a cold, rainy, autumn day in Minnesota and I made a single serving of this for myself. How decadent!! I felt like I got this from a posh cafe. So so delicious and easy. I can’t wait to make this during the colder winter months while sitting by the Christmas tree. Thank you!
Allison
That’s so great to hear! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Amber
Very rich! It was great! I think I’ll cut back the sugar a bit, but it was so good! A lot cheaper than buying packets as well!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Jessica
Very good! If you like yours sweeter, add a little extra sugar.
Phin Mandley
I used dark chocolate chips with this recipe, and it was so good! It reminds me of the hot cocoa my Grandma used to make. Put some whipped cream on top and sprinkle chocolate shards on the cream, and it tastes like heaven!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Skye
It was a little too chocolatey for my taste. the Coco was a little too strong but that’s just my preference. Other than that I liked it me and my brother both had 2 cups. I’m a teen and it was really easy to make.👍🏼
Allison
Thanks for sharing your experience. 🙂 Feel free to reduce the cocoa powder and/or chocolate chips next time.