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!
Gwen Campbell says
It looks really good cant wait to make it!!
Donna Caloway says
I made my keto….2 c unsweetened cashew milk,
4 TBSP dark cacao, 4TBSP erythritol, stevia, monk fruit, allulose blend, 1/4-1/2 cup unsweetened chips of your choice and 1/8 tsp vanilla or maple extract. Warm letting all the flavors meld together. Extra touch/fat homemade fresh whipped cream…….OMG MMMMMM MMMMMM GOOD
Donna+Caloway says
Edit 2 1/2 TBSP dark cacao, 21/2 TBSP sugar substitute 1/8-1/4 c chips and 1/8 tsp extract
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Cara Reaves says
Just made this with Chocolate Soy milk instead of white milk, to make it extra chocolatey. And also added a little extra chocolate chips. This is the best tasting hot chocolate I have ever made from scratch! Thank you so much!
Allison says
Thanks for the kind review. I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂
Dawn says
I was craving something chocolatey I had all the ingredients in the house but the cocoa powder sugar vanilla extract and milk this is the best hot cocoa I’ve ever had plus I know what’s in it. Try it it’s delicious
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Audrey says
I have tired so many recipes before. This one by far is the best! My son gulped it right down. It’s perfect just the way it’s written… Made no substitutions. Thank you soooooo much.
Allison says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
Arlo says
This was delicious! Made for my family and they enjoyed it very much!
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
A. Watson says
This was absolutely delicious!!
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
gigi says
This hot chocolate was amazing but instead of 1/4 sugar you should add 3/4 sugar so you don’t just taste the cocoa powder. Do you recommend using a certain type of cocoa powder for this recipe?
Allison says
Hi, Gigi. You should be using unsweetened cocoa powder (not dutch process), Hershey’s brand works well. Also, did you add the chocolate chips? They add some sweetness, too.
Thanks for stopping by.
gigi says
Yes, they were dark chocolate.
Michelle says
Made this tonight and used some Andes mint chips and it was sooo good.
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Emma says
I love this recipe! So delicious and doesn’t take long to make! It’s so easy to memorize too!
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Angi says
Outstanding! I sub’d monk fruit instead of sugar. Used part 1/2 and 1/2 and part whole milk. Used 90% Lindt squares. FANTASTIC!.
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing your changes, too. 🙂
Lauren Burress says
Just made this for me and my family and it was delicious!! We all loved it! Definitely recommend:) Topped it with some whipped cream and marshmallows and cinnamon!
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.
Megan says
very rich and very good!
Allison says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂