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 and a pinch of salt (if desired), 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!
Natasha says
Very good taste and works up in 5 minutes for me. Thank you <3
Allison says
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Katie says
Everything Alison said it’s going to be! Officially my favourite hot chocolate recipe😊
Allison says
Yay! Thanks for the kind review, Katie. 🙂
Tina Green says
This tastes amazing! I am usually very picky about my hot chocolate, but this is perfect. In the end, I also put some whipped cream on top and a few more chocolate chips on the whipped cream and it was delicious! The perfect drink for these upcoming chilly months!
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the kind review. 🙂
Talili says
This is my go-to hot cocoa recipe. So rich and creamy, easy to prepare, and tastes so decedent. I use half and half for the milk, and dark cocoa powder because that’s what my family prefers. Thank you for this amazing recipe.
Allison says
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Greg Schussman says
I accidentally forgot the vanilla, and it was still super delicious! Looking forward to next time with the vanilla included! Thanks for the awesome recipe!!!
Allison says
You’re welcome! Enjoy! 🙂
Lynda says
This is so very good! Yes, love that it is a mix between hot cocoa and hot chocolate. They mix leaves the flavors varied and delicious.🤤 thanks for sharing!
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Terry says
If making a sugar – free version of this recipe, what could be safely substituted for sugar (no artificial sweeteners, please).?
Allison says
Do you mean refined sugar free? Maybe pure maple syrup? And paleo chocolate chips? I’m not really sure, I don’t typically make sugar free recipes.
daphne says
This recipe thickens as it cooks, and the the outcome is a dark and rich cup of cocoa. More, it can be multiplied to as many cups of milk as one wants to use; it is perfect for large batches to serve crowds at festivals, sporting events, or parties. Just remember that a gallon of milk quadruples all the ingredients.
We sometimes add instant coffee, or peppermint syrup, or Nutella for different results. They all taste wonderful, especially if topped with marshmallow fluff. Cannot go wrong!
Allison says
Thanks for the kind review, Daphne. 🙂
Lea Banks says
That was luxurious! The hot chocolate was just what we needed after a day out doing yard work on a (very) cool fall day. I thought it was going to be thinner than I would’ve liked, but that was probably due to the chocolate chips. Next time, I’m going to use a Ghiradelli’s semisweet bar(or something more lush even) Thank you for helping me make a delicious end to an autumn day!
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Corrinne says
Delicious! Better than we usually buy. 😊We were out of hot chocolate mix, so decided do try this. So glad we did!
Allison says
I’m so glad! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂