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!
ROBBIE GONZALES
Tried it tonight. It’s a mazing..beats Starbucks watery kind. I added a small candy cane and Marshmallow. The best..
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Linda Washington
Just made this – added 2 cups of black coffee and it is DELICIOUS!!!
Allison
Great idea! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Dave
It was one of the best hot chocolate recipes i have ever tried.There is no better hot chocolate out there.It just is so flavor full and rich and It is just so amazing.
Allison
Thanks for the kind review. 🙂
Lorie
OMG! LOVE THIS RECIOE FOR HOT CHOCOLATE! DELISH! DIDN’T EVEN WANT MARSHMALLOW!
Vickie
Do you think this could be made ahead for a crowd, refrigerated and then heated back up? I have my family here next weekend for Christmas and I do as much as possible ahead of time. I’m not sure what the chocolate would do.
Allison
Hi, Vickie. I’d recommend making it when you’re ready for it. You can definitely get a head start and have everything pre-measured and then just add it to the saucepan when you’re ready to heat it.
Zi'onni McCondichie
Love the Hot Chocolate really satisfied my craving. Was supper easy to make and loved how the veering servings was listed as well. Keep doing what your doing and don’t let anyone tell you anything differently. !!
Natalee
Excited to try this! Will it stay good heated in a crock pot? I need to make it ahead of time and keep warm. Thanks!
Allison
Hi, Natalee. I have a slow cooker version here: Crock Pot Hot Chocolate.
Selena
Been making this for a few days now and it is so good! One change I made was pouring the chocolate chips into a mug, removing the milk mixture from heat and pour it over the chocolate chips and use a frother to mix it! Love it!!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Joanne
Delicious hot chocolate. Very easy to make. We added it to our coffees, with whipped cream.
Thank you!!!
Allison
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Jennifer
Delicious. I made the recipe for 1 and used 2 small Hershey bars in place of chocolate chips.
Allison
Perfect! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Jenelle
I made this last week and my son is asking for it again. It’s really good! Thanks!
Allison
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Lucy
I added a tablespoon of Nutella just for fun and this is the most delicious hot chocolate I’ve ever tried. Thank you very much.
Allison
Great idea! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
Sajani
Greetings from Sunny island of Sri Lanka! The best ever hot chocolate! My two sons loved it. Thank you!
Allison
I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂