Hot Chocolate

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!

Ingredients In Hot Chocolate

• Dutch-process cocoa powder: Offers a rich chocolate flavor. 
• White granulated sugar: Adds sweetness, balancing the cocoa’s bitterness.
• Pinch of sea salt: Enhances and emphasizes the chocolate flavor.
• Whole milk: Provides a creamy base and enriches taste.
• Heavy whipping cream: Amplifies the drink’s richness; using more milk offers a lighter version.
• Pure vanilla extract: Adds depth with a hint of subtle sweetness.

Together, these ingredients craft a creamy, flavorful hot chocolate.

Quick Tip

Our secret ingredient? Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder. This isn’t your regular cocoa; it’s smoother and less bitter. Plus, we go unsweetened, so you taste that deep chocolatey goodness without extra sugar getting in the way. Its dark look? Pure luxe in a cup. Bottom line: our hot chocolate is next-level, and Dutch-process cocoa is the MVP! Read more about it here.

How To Make Hot Chocolate

You won’t believe how simple it is to make homemade Hot Chocolate!

1. In a saucepan or pot, whisk together cocoa powder, sugar, and salt.
2. Add milk and cream, then whisk until smooth.
3. Heat to your desired serving temperature.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
5. Pour into cups or mugs.
6. Garnish with desired add-ins.

 

One of my favorite aspects of making hot chocolate is the customization. From mix-ins and toppings to sauces, the possibilities are endless. I’ve listed some of my favorites below.

Topping Ideas:

• Miniature chocolate chips
• Crushed toffee (Heath®) bars
• Peppermint sticks or Peppermint Bark
• Lindt® truffles (add one truffle to your cup for chocolate overload in the best way possible)
• Pirouette® cookies
• Homemade Marshmallows
• Dehydrated marshmallows, (I’ve found these on the coffee aisle in most grocery stores or online)
• Cinnamon sticks
• Different flavors of coffee creamers
• Whipped Cream
• Caramel sauce
• Hot Fudge Sauce
• Peppermint stick ice cream (one scoop in a cup of hot cocoa and you’ll never go back)

Variations

Variation Ideas:

• Flavor your cocoa by using peppermint extract, orange extract, raspberry extract, or coconut extract. You can also try different coffee creamer flavors such as hazelnut or creme brûlée (find more ideas here, not sponsored).
• For a spicy kick (akin to Mexican Hot Chocolate), add about 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg, and a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili powder if you like the heat!
• A simple addition: A pinch of cinnamon can completely transform your cocoa!

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

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5 from 5 votes

Hot Chocolate

By Chelsea Lords

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!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 4 -6 cups of hot chocolate

Ingredients  

1x2x3x

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

Cocoa powder: I don't recommend using plain cocoa powder (way less flavor!). Hershey’s® “Special Dark” cocoa powder is a Dutch-process cocoa powder that is readily found at most grocery stores. This is my favorite cocoa powder.

Nutrition information does not include whipped cream or toppings.

Nutrition

Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 326mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 297IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 216mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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