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!
Tiffany says
So creamy! Kids loved it and so did mom
Allison Mattina says
Yay! That’s great to hear. 🙂
Miriam Murphy says
So easy and simple to make very creamy so delicious I had that right before bed and I slept so good, the whole family enjoyed it.
kenzie says
today I did not measure the chocolate chips and the cocoa is still so good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
Trish G says
I tweaked a little for preferred sweetness and taste, but this recipe is great!
Allison Mattina says
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Casey says
Worked perfect and with easy ingredients we had on hand. I don’t think I’ll buy the mix nearly as often!
Allison Mattina says
Yay! That’s great to hear. 🙂
Kim says
Can this be cooked in a crockpot?
Allison Mattina says
The crock pot version is here: crock pot hot chocolate.
Joseph Byers says
Happy Holidays!
I plan to make this appetizing recipe, however I have a question about the difference between this version and the crockpot version. The crockpot version has cream as one of the ingredients, this version Doesn’t. Is this due to cooking it on the crockpot?
Allison Mattina says
Hi! The crock pot will create some condensation from the steam, that extra water will end up in the hot chocolate. I find that the half and half or cream helps to keep it thick and creamy instead of watery.
Nichole says
I appreciate the recipe. It was just waaaaay too chocolatey for my family, and we love chocolate. I had to add a cup of water and an additional 1/4 C sugar.
Donna says
the best hot chocolate, very tasty
the only thing I did different was I used half whipping cream and almond milk.
oh so good…
Allison Mattina says
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Bea says
This was fantastic! Packaged brands are far too sweet. I did add a bit less sugar than the recipe calls for just based on my own tolerance for sweetness and this was perfect! Topped with whipped cream and YUM!! No more store bought!
Allison Mattina says
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Patricia Bruni says
absolutely amazing!!!! heaven!
Allison Mattina says
Yay! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂