Hot Chocolate doesn’t get better than this—creamy, dreamy, and so easy to make, you’ll never want store-bought mixes or packets again!

Hosting? Try this crockpot hot chocolate and hot chocolate bar for easy, fun ideas!

Mug of rich hot chocolate topped with a swirl of whipping cream and delicate chocolate shavings.

Table of Contents

Homemade Hot Chocolate

I grew up on packet hot cocoa, and don’t get me wrong—it’s great and convenient. But once you try homemade hot chocolate, there’s truly no going back.

For me, it’s simply not winter or Christmas without hot cocoa and Peppermint Bark on repeat, so I knew I had to create the BEST hot cocoa recipe.

Seriously, this recipe is irresistibly good—I’ve never had better, and I’m sure you’ll agree!

Ingredients laid out for this recipe, featuring cream, cocoa powder, sugar, and other essentials.

Ingredients In Hot Chocolate

  • Dutch-process cocoa powder: Dutch cocoa gives smooth, rich chocolate flavor without bitterness.
  • White granulated sugar: Sweetens and balances the cocoa flavor.
  • Pinch of sea salt: Brings out the chocolate flavor.
  • Whole milk: Makes the base creamy and rich.
  • Heavy whipping cream: Adds richness; more milk makes it lighter.
  • Pure vanilla extract: Adds depth and a touch of sweetness.

How To Make Hot Chocolate

The process of adding ingredients for the homemade hot chocolate to a pot and whisking until a smooth mixture is achieved.

Topping Ideas

  • Mini 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 chocolate and you’ll never go back)

Variations

Switch Things Up

  • Add flavor to your cocoa with drops like peppermint, orange, raspberry, or coconut. Use coffee creamers like hazelnut or crème brûlée (more ideas, not sponsored).
  • To add some spice, check out this Mexican Hot Chocolate
  • A pinch of cinnamon can change up your cocoa!

Hot chocolate in a pan, warming up, being whisked, and ready for serving.
How To Make A Dry Hot Chocolate Mix?

Combine 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, and a pinch of sea salt. Whisk and store airtight if prepping ahead.

How To Make Hot Cocoa For One?

Whisk 1 tbsp Dutch-process cocoa powder, 2 tbsp sugar, and a pinch of salt in a small pot. Gradually add 1 cup milk, whisking until smooth. Heat over medium until warm. Remove from heat, stir in 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, and enjoy hot.

Does Hot Cocoa Have Caffeine?

Hot cocoa has 5-15 mg of caffeine per 8-ounce cup, compared to coffee’s 95 mg.

Mug filled with a delicious hot chocolate topped with a dollop of whipped cream and delicate chocolate shavings.

What To Serve With Hot Chocolate

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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
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4 -6 cups of 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.
    The process of adding ingredients for the homemade hot chocolate to a pot and whisking until a smooth mixture is achieved.
  • Stir in the milk and cream and whisk until smooth. Bring the hot chocolate to your desired serving temperature.
    Hot chocolate in a pan, warming up, being whisked, and ready for serving.
  • 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.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Meet Chelsea

Hello, and welcome to Chelsea’s Messy Apron! I’m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. I’m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping by—I hope you find something delicious to make!

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5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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9 Comments

  1. Glenna says:

    Can you make this in a crockpot?

    Reply
  2. Chrissy says:

    5 stars
    What does curdle mean?? And yes it looks GREAT!!!!!

    Reply
    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Curdling happens when ingredients separate because of overheating or because an acidic ingredient has been added

      Reply
  3. Joefine says:

    5 stars
    My goodness, nothing so simple and so satisfying as this hot-chocolate. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      You’re welcome! 🙂

      Reply
  4. Sophie Anderson says:

    5 stars
    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!!!

    Reply
  5. Alia says:

    5 stars
    Mmmm your hot chocolate looks so decadent! I love the step-by-step photos too – they are super helpful! Great work! 🙂

    Reply
    1. chelseamessyapron says:

      Thank you Alia! 🙂

      Reply