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!
MJ
I only do 2 Tbsp of sugar, way too sweet otherwise
Jessica
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 🤤
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Nicole
What a good idea about Bailey’s. I wonder if you could add in some espresso powder?
Allison
Yes, you can! Enjoy. 🙂
KellyD
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!!
Allison
You can try this slow cooker version: Crock Pot Hot Chocolate
Nicole
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!!!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Maggie
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!
Pamela
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!!
Allison
You’re welcome. 🙂
Kristine Morris
Nice recipe but the one serving size needs adjusting. Way too much chocolate even for me.
Allison
Feel free to reduce the cocoa powder and/or chocolate chips next time. Thanks for stopping by!
Kate
I did the solo serving as well and I think the amount of chocolate is perfect! Guess it’s based on preference.
Mary Raye
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)
Dorsey-Butler
Delicious with dark chocolate and monkfruit in heavy cream & almond milk!
Victoria wilson
My son and daughter loved it. Asked for it everyday since I mad it a week ago. So easy yet sooooo gooooodddddd.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Chandler
Very easy to make 👌
Rukhsana Wagner
No chocolate chips and goat milk. Perfect 😍