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!
random bag
this is great i did not have any chocolate bars/chips yet it still tasted great thank you for this recipe best one yet !
Allison
You’re welcome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Martina
This recipe sounds delicious! And I love that there are other hot chocolates recommended under the recipe. (The white hot chocolate caught my interest the most!) I will send this recipe to my family members. 🙂
Allison
Enjoy!
Maia
I have not tried it yet but can’t wait to do it. I’m making it as I am writing this. It already smells so good.
Katymae
Deelish! Better than that $4 starbucks stuff I had been buying. So comforting on a chilly day.
Allison
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Kim Taylor
This was delicious! No need to ever use hot chocolate from a packet again. Plus it was so quick to make.
Allison
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Sue
I had to make this with plant based milk because I didn’t realize that my dairy milk was no good. It was great. Warming and sweet with great chocolate flavor and not overly rich. It’s a keeper!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Hippiedeb
This is the most delicious and decadent hot chocolate I’ve ever made!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Lisa Argenbright
I made this today and I thought it was wonderful but a bit rich, my husband thought it was TO rich. I made it exactly as recipe called for. If someone doesn’t like as much chocolate, I’d cut out the chips.
Chocofan
As given, with the extra chocolate at the end, this is chocolate overload! I needed to dilute it down quite a bit.
Lindsay
Very rich and yummy! The perfect warmup drink after playing in the snow. I added a pinch of salt and I think that really added dimension. Will definitely make again.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by!