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!
Mary
I made this twice now! It is so good. Could this be made on the stove top and then put in a crockpot to keep warm for several hours?
Allison
I have a crockpot version here: Crock Pot Hot Chocolate
Jen
We are watching Polar Express and drinking – in my daughter’s words – the “best hot chocolate she’s ever had”! It’s delicious just as listed in the recipe.
Allison
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Happy holidays!
Xr
Perfect even in tropical Singapore! Tks for this simple yet delicious recipe. Merry.Xmas!
Allison
I’m so glad! Happy new year!
Allyssa
This is fantastic, if you want to really make this recipe perfect, whisk in 2 large dallops of marshmallow fluff and top everything with whipped cream. It’s heavenly.
Allison
That sounds great! 🙂
Maddie
I have made this multiple times and always get rave reviews! It is delicious!
Allison
Yay! That’s great to hear.
Marietta
This is so much better than the ready made mixes. So delish!
Kay
Tasted great!
Allison
I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Amanda T.
This hot cocoa is delicious!!! My family loved it. Very smooth and velvety with a rich chocolate flavor.
Allison
Yay! I’m so glad!
Tammy Tate
This was so chocolately and super sweet that even with extra milk added to the cups no one finished it. It would have been better without the chocolate chips.
Allison
Sorry to hear that. You can easily adjust the recipe in the future. Thanks for stopping by!
Christine
This is our go-to hot chocolate recipe! It’s soooooo good. Sometimes I add a bit of salt to enrich the flavor even further.
Allison
I’m happy to hear that! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Tater
Super good, everyone loved it. I used half semi sweet and half milk chocolate, came out great, not too sweet, not too bitter. Amazingly it didn’t feel as heavy on the stomach as instant hot chocolate. For sure making this again.
Allison
I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Iona
This is my go-to hot chocolate recipe, by far the best I’ve found! I’ve made it about 5 times now for myself and friends and they always say how good it is!
Allison
I’m so glad!
Tigersfunnyface
Amazingly easy and the most delicious!
Allison
Thanks!