This creamy, dreamy Hot Chocolate is so good that once you try this recipe and see how easy it is to make, you’ll never go back to buying mixes or packets!
Homemade Hot Chocolate
As autumn leaves start to fall and winter’s chill sets in, there’s one thing I can’t resist – wrapping my hands around a warm mug of hot chocolate! Honestly, it’s my ultimate cold-weather comfort. Lately, I’ve been indulging in a heavenly duo: hot cocoa paired with these chewy chocolate chip cookies. It’s my current dessert obsession!
Sure, store-bought packets are quick and handy, but wait till you try this homemade version. Not only is it bursting with rich flavor and made from ingredients you likely already have, but it’s also a breeze to whip up and customize to your liking.
Ready to elevate your hot chocolate game? Follow along and discover how to craft the perfect cup, leaving those store packets behind!
Quick Tip
Is it hot cocoa or hot chocolate? While the terms are often used interchangeably, they differ. Hot cocoa is a mix of cocoa powder, sugar, and milk, typically found in store packets. It’s sweeter and lighter. Hot chocolate, also known as “drinking chocolate”, is made from real chocolate melted into cream, milk, or water, offering a richer taste. This recipe blends both, but regardless of the name, it’s like sipping on liquid joy!
What To Serve With Hot Chocolate:
- Apple Coffee Cake with a brown sugar streusel
- 7 Layer Bars with a graham cracker crust
- Carmelitas caramel and chocolate cookie bars
- Oatmeal Cookies with cinnamon
- Mexican Wedding Cookies dusted in powdered sugar
Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
Base Hot Chocolate Recipe
- 1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder (special Dark Hershey's) (Note 1)
- 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
- Pinch of sea salt
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (or 1 more cup of milk)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- whipped cream
- miniature or dehydrated marshmallows
- chocolate shavings (using a vegetable peeler, peel a chocolate bar!)
Variation Ideas
- Instead of vanilla extract, try orange extract for an orange hot chocolate or peppermint extract for a minty hot chocolate
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a saucepan or pot, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt.
- Stir in the milk and cream and whisk until smooth. Bring the hot chocolate to your desired serving temperature.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour into cups or mugs and garnish as desired with whatever add-ins you'd like!
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
What does curdle mean?? And yes it looks GREAT!!!!!
Curdling happens when ingredients separate because of overheating or because an acidic ingredient has been added
My goodness, nothing so simple and so satisfying as this hot-chocolate. Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! ๐
Look so attractive but I highly recommend you to stir more 1 egg yolk then return to heat, stirring constantly and whisk to create foam ( Do not let this boil or the yolk will curdle). Make sure you will love it!!!
Mmmm your hot chocolate looks so decadent! I love the step-by-step photos too – they are super helpful! Great work! ๐
Thank you Alia! ๐