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!
Patti
I’m so excited to make this recipe! I plan to make it in advance and bring it to a game night with friends. Does it reheat well if I heat it in a saucepan over the stove? Thank you!
Allison
Hi! I’d recommend the crock pot version: crock pot hot chocolate.
Schlee
Recipe was delicious and thank you for giving smaller serving sizes! All the other recipes I find make so much and it’s usually just my son who wants to drink it. Really cut down on waste!
Kimmy
Oooh this was a really simple but deliciously satisfying hot cocoa. 👍
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Lynnette Martinez
Could you put this in a thermos to drink an hour or so later?
Allison
Sure!
Lily Elezabeth Evans Ages.
smells delicious!!!!!!
Allison
Enjoy!
Sandy
I make this for my very boujee, very picky 78 year old father. He loves it and won’t drink any other hot chocolate. He is dairy free so I use 1/2 unsweetened soy milk and 1/2 oatmilk. If I could give you 10 stars I would. Thank you
Allison
Ha! I love that! Thanks for the kind review. 🙂
Michelle
This was delicious! My kids loved it. Thank you for sharing.
Allison
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Jonathan Poe
NUMMY NUMMY NUM
Niya
Hey gonna make this tmr for Christmas Eve I want to make 6 servings would I just add the measurements for the 2 servings to the measurements for 4?
Allison
Yep! Enjoy!
Anon
Super tasty! I used bittersweet chocolate because it is what I had on hand so it wasn’t overly sweet.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Karli
Absolutely delicious! Idk why I’d use the powder ever again! Have you ever made a large batch of this for a crowd? Maybe in the crockpot?
Allison
Hi, Karli! Yep! That recipe is here: crock pot hot chocolate. Enjoy!
kayla baldwin
thankyou