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!
Marie says
Lovely will never buy hot chocolate again 🙂
Allison says
Yay! That’s great to hear. 🙂
Estella says
OMG! Best hot chocolate ever! I made one cup just to try it out, and I was not disappointed. The recipe was easy and simple to follow. I forgot to add the vanilla, but that did not diminish the taste of the coco. It was delicious! No more store bought hot coco mix for me!
Allison says
That’s great to hear. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Ashley says
I cook and bake a lot and don’t review a lot. This recipe was good enough to go out of my way to review. I quartered it to make a single mug for myself – added a pinch of cinnamon to add some extra holiday warmth. This was absolutely perfect.
Allison says
Thanks for the kind review, Ashley. 🙂 Enjoy!
DREA says
Just made this but I used milk chocolate chips instead…And I also will never buy boxed or store bought hot chocolate again…was soo good!!! Taste so rich and authentic 😋
Allison says
Yay! I’m so glad! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Kristen says
Question: is the 38 grams of sugar mentioned in the nutrition facts accurate for each cup of hot chocolate or is that for the entire 4 cups milk mixture made in its entirety before it is divided into cups?
Thanks for amazing recipe! ❤️❤️
Allison says
Hi, Kristen. That is for one serving, so 1/4 of a full recipe. If you’re looking to lower the sugar content you can reduce the granulated sugar (to taste), use dark/bittersweet chocolate chips, and/or unsweetened almond milk.
Shannon says
THE best recipe!!!
Allison says
Thank you! 🙂
Autumn Hughes says
Can I make this in a crock pot?
Allison says
The crock pot version is here: crock pot hot chocolate. Enjoy!
alex :] says
This was a really good recipe and me and my little brothers loved it. I’m so happy that I could find a recipe as good as this! Have an amazing day and remember to take care of yourselves! :]
Allison says
Thanks for stopping by! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Lindsey says
Such a delicious winter treat my kids and I enjoyed while putting up the Christmas tree! Love that it’s not too sweet.
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Matthew says
Love this recipe! It’s my go-to hot chocolate! When you mention that you can make it richer by adding half and half, is that in addition to the milk or replacing some of the milk? Also, how much do you recommend to add? Could you also use heavy cream instead?
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Yes, you would swap some or all of the milk for half and half. And yes, you could also swap some of the milk for heavy cream (I wouldn’t swap all as that would be very rich). The amount would really be up to your taste preferences.