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!
Gigi
This recipe was so easy and delicious! I made mine with dark chocolate chips and added cinnamon and a pinch of salt. Topped it with marshmallows. Yum!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
holly chavez
Oh wow! Where has homemade hot cocoa been all my life.
Allison
Haha! Enjoy!
Kandace
How much half and half do I use to make it richer? Do I add half and half on top of the 4 cups of milk?
Allison
You can swap some of the milk for half and half. I’d recommend swapping about half of it (2 cups) if you want it more rich. Sorry for the confusion.
Janet
Absolutely delish! Thanks for a great recipe.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. 🙂
Mary
Easy and delicious! I wanted to thicken it up a bit to acheive that “european” hot chocolate, so I added 1 tablespoon, and it was divine!
Mary
**1 tablespoon cornstarch!
Allison
Oh! I’ll have to try that. Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Rachel
How about making a large quantity and putting in a slow cooker? Thoughts?
Allison
Yep, I have a recipe for that. https://celebratingsweets.com/crock-pot-hot-chocolate/
Enjoy!
Rachel Cessna
Thanks! I actually made this recipe the day before, bottled it up and reheated in crockpots. Everyone loved it!
Allison
Perfect!
Andrea
Delicious!!! Added half a cup of half & half, a little less sugar and a 1/8 cup semi sweet chips. This was a perfect end to our evening ?
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Shaniqua
I had a sudden craving for hot chocolate at 1am and my Google search landed on this quick & delicious recipe. I made it with Oat milk since hubby doesn’t do dairy. It was quite yummy! This was my first time making my own hot chocolate. Thanks, this recipe is a keeper.
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂
Leslie V.
Hi!! Did you use the same measurements? I have oat milk only too!
Thanks!
Kat Ramirez
How much does the larger portion serve? I like to make ALOT at once because i love hot cocoa lol
Allison
The recipe as written serves four (approximately 1-cup servings).
Shelley
This is delicious ! I made it vegan by using oat milk and vegan chocolate chips. Creamy, chocolatey goodness!
Allison
I’m glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to comment. 🙂