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!
Katie
Tried this and it’s a big hit with the family! I personally use oat milk and also add 1-2 drops of almond extract. 😋🤌🏼
Thanks for sharing!!
Allison
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Tiffany
Delicious! Made with half almond and half 2%. Incredibly creamy with the perfect balance of chocolate. My family really enjoyed it.
Allison
I’m so glad! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Riley
So delicious, I made it with half milk and half whipping cream bc that’s what I had. Such a great and simple recipe.would 100% recommend
Allison
Thanks for the kind review. 🙂
hether
helloooo! im hether in 3rd grade i love the hot coco!
Zoe
Love this recipe! I love using peppermint bark to give it more of a holiday twist. Another thing I do sometimes is add a pinch of coarse salt! Delicious
Allison
Great idea!
Crystal
My family and I are enjoying this recipe for Christmas. Very, very good!
Merry Christmas!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Merry Christmas!
kacey
I thought it was really good. I was using it for fireball hot chocolate. But the people who didn’t have fireball thought it was too chocolatey.
nishi
I’m so excited to try it
Calvin
I wanted to try out a new hot chocolate recipe, and I’m so glad I found this one. It makes a really rich tasting hot chocolate, and takes about 5 minutes to make.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Rosanna Franz
Such an easy recipe and I’m so glad I had everything in my pantry to make it! My picky almost 4 yr old loved it (marshmallows helped) and my 16 month old had a couple small spoons of it and it blew her mind! Love how you listed the smaller serving options. I’ll definitely be making this often!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂