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!
C Dunkin
After a day of sledding and snowman making, this hot chocolate is grandson approved!
Allison
That’s great to hear! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Mimi
Perfect cup of hot chocolate!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Rachel
Kids just came in from sledding and I had this ready for them. They all loved it and so did I! Excellent recipe, thank you!
Allison
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Monica
Wowww!! It’s been years since I’ve had hot chocolate. Used half of the chic chips and added a pinch of cayenne. Thank you for this..truly amazing! Next time I’ll play a little and use less sugar. 🙏
Allison
Thanks for sharing your experience. 🙂 Enjoy!
Jade
absolutely loved this recipe, way better than a packet mix! thanks for including smaller serving sizes!
Allison
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Kirsten
Really liked this, and appreciate you for having the smaller amounts listed! 🙂
Kasia
My daughter had a random craving for hot chocolate. This was perfect! Thank you!
Allison
You’re welcome! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
John Rhoe
Great recipe! What premix cocoa do you start with — I used Swiss Miss. and I spiked mine with Bailey’s.
Allison
I use unsweetened cocoa powder.
dana
Easy and pretty good!
Debi
I used more than a cup of milk and it was very hot, but didn’t absorb all of the chocolate chips. I would recommend that you cut down on the chocolate chips a little.
Christina
My go to hot chocolate recipe!
Allison
Yay! I’m so glad. 🙂