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Home » Drinks » Homemade Hot Chocolate

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Published: Dec 22, 2018 by Allison · 683 Comments

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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

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.

Homemade Hot 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

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.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

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!

Homemade Hot Chocolate

MORE HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPES:

WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE

A close up of a glass cup on a table filled with white hot chocolate.

SPIKED HOT CHOCOLATE

Glass of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

NUTELLA HOT CHOCOLATE

Hot chocolate in a glass topped with marshmallows.

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Recipe

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Creamy Homemade Hot Chocolate. A combination of cocoa powder and chocolate chips make this hot chocolate extra flavorful and delicious! Ready in minutes.
4.95 from 570 votes
Print Pin SaveSaved!
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 1 minute minute
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 6 minutes minutes
Servings: 4 (see note for smaller servings)
Calories: 323kcal
Author: Allison - Celebrating Sweets

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

SMALLER SERVINGS
2 servings:
2 cups milk
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
¼ cup chocolate chips
⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 single serving:
1 cup milk
1 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons chocolate chips
1-2 drops vanilla extract

Nutrition

Calories: 323kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 121mg | Potassium: 403mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 38g | Vitamin A: 445IU | Calcium: 309mg | Iron: 1.1mg

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!
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Comments

  1. MJ

    December 29, 2022 at 6:10 pm

    4 stars
    I only do 2 Tbsp of sugar, way too sweet otherwise

    Reply
  2. Jessica

    January 04, 2023 at 5:29 pm

    5 stars
    Most amazing hot chocolate I’ve ever had! My husband loved it and so did I. Mixed some espresso cream Baileys into it and it was perfection 🤤

    Reply
    • Allison

      January 10, 2023 at 11:03 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

      Reply
    • Nicole

      January 14, 2023 at 12:05 pm

      What a good idea about Bailey’s. I wonder if you could add in some espresso powder?

      Reply
      • Allison

        January 16, 2023 at 9:08 am

        Yes, you can! Enjoy. 🙂

    • KellyD

      February 10, 2023 at 12:47 pm

      5 stars
      I want to make this ahead and reheat it at a comet viewing party tonight. I wonder if I should make as written and reheat or wait and add chips when heating tonight? Any experience with reheating this recipe? Thanks!!

      Reply
      • Allison

        February 12, 2023 at 7:21 am

        You can try this slow cooker version: Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

  3. Nicole

    January 14, 2023 at 12:04 pm

    5 stars
    YUMMMY! I can’t have cow’s milk so I always felt left out. Most hot chocolate recipes fall flat, especially with almond milk. I made this recipe and used my normal almond. OMG, it was good chocolately, creamy and delicious. I’m sure this taste as equally good with regular milk. This recipe is good. Try it. It’s a keeper for sure!!!

    Reply
    • Allison

      January 16, 2023 at 9:08 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Maggie

    January 16, 2023 at 7:00 pm

    5 stars
    This was SO GOOD!!! I left out the sugar completely after reading comments that it was too sweet, and I used semisweet chips. Used 1% milk since that’s what we drink. I’m ready to make it again tonight and will use fewer chocolate chips. This will be my go-to from now on!

    Reply
  5. Pamela

    January 21, 2023 at 12:33 pm

    5 stars
    This was delicious!!! I used swerve and less than it called for. And unsweetened almond milk blend and coconut milk blend. Was very good!!! Thank you!!! This is a keeper!!

    Reply
    • Allison

      January 23, 2023 at 8:46 am

      You’re welcome. 🙂

      Reply
  6. Kristine Morris

    January 28, 2023 at 11:55 pm

    3 stars
    Nice recipe but the one serving size needs adjusting. Way too much chocolate even for me.

    Reply
    • Allison

      February 01, 2023 at 10:27 am

      Feel free to reduce the cocoa powder and/or chocolate chips next time. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
    • Kate

      February 11, 2023 at 11:10 am

      5 stars
      I did the solo serving as well and I think the amount of chocolate is perfect! Guess it’s based on preference.

      Reply
    • Mary Raye

      February 25, 2023 at 2:22 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe, I even made this up in cute packages for Christmas. My son-in-law was tickled to death.
      However, I goofed when making it today, I made a two cup s with the four cup recipe amounts. ( the milk was right)

      Reply
  7. Dorsey-Butler

    February 01, 2023 at 11:54 am

    5 stars
    Delicious with dark chocolate and monkfruit in heavy cream & almond milk!

    Reply
  8. Victoria wilson

    February 02, 2023 at 12:37 pm

    5 stars
    My son and daughter loved it. Asked for it everyday since I mad it a week ago. So easy yet sooooo gooooodddddd.

    Reply
    • Allison

      February 13, 2023 at 8:25 am

      I’m glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  9. Chandler

    February 03, 2023 at 5:13 pm

    5 stars
    Very easy to make 👌

    Reply
  10. Rukhsana Wagner

    February 07, 2023 at 2:38 pm

    5 stars
    No chocolate chips and goat milk. Perfect 😍

    Reply
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aboutHi, I'm Allison! I'm a busy wife and mom with a passion for cooking and baking. This is where you'll find my favorite homemade recipes, designed to help you make every day delicious! Read more....

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