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!
Alice
This is really easy to make and one of the best hot chocolate recipes I’ve ever had. The fact that it makes four cups is a little inconvenient but hot chocolate reheats well so it doesn’t really matter.
Allison
Hi, Alice! I’m glad you enjoyed it. This recipe can easily be scaled down. I’ve given measurements for a single serving below, and just double that if you need two servings. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
1 cup milk
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
2 tablespoons chocolate chips
drop vanilla extract
Mikaylea
This is SO good! So much better than the boxed stuff!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Jenna
By far the best hot chocolate! Also super convenient I already had all of the ingredients
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Tasha
Could you please give measurements for 10 servings? Thanks
Allison
10 cups milk
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa powder AND granulated sugar
1-1/4 cups chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (or more, to taste)
Enjoy!
Michaela
This. hot chocolate. is. so. good. It’s so amazing even my dad (more of a coffee person) thoroughly enjoyed it, and my sister has been requesting I make her another one. This throws me down memory lane to when my friends and I would order hot chocolate (a hot chocolate packet and warm-ish water) from our middle school cafe every week on “Hot Chocolate Thursday” except this is much, MUCH better. I like to throw in some cinnamon and it is the perfect drink to sip while winding down at night. Trust me, this is so good it doesn’t need marshmallows (this is coming from a person who can eat a whole bag of marshmallows in a sitting). Not to mention its super easy!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Sana
Oh my god! This is by far the best hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted. You don’t even have to use chocolate chips! I just added more sugar until I liked it. I will definitely make this again. ?
P.S I just halved the recipe. Btw it’s so easy and quick to make!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Nibedita
Thank you for this recipe ☺️ it turned out really well ❤️
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Lucy
BEST HOT CHOCOLATE EVER!!!!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
C.W.
Ran out of milk and all the stores are closed. I substituted vanilla ice cream for the milk, sugar, and vanilla. I also added more chocolate chips a dash of cinnamon. It’s delicious, simple, and quick.
Thank you!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Jaiden
Super good hot chocolate it’s super convenient (I already had everything I needed) but is it safe to put in a jar and throw it in the fridge and just reheat one the stove? This made quite a bit more than I was expecting
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Yes, you can reheat it. I wouldn’t recommend reheating it more than once. Thanks for stopping by!