Homemade Hot Chocolate

A cold day isn't complete without warm mugs of homemade hot chocolate, with the rich flavors of chocolate mixed with creamy milk and fun toppings.

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Table of Contents

Homemade Hot Chocolate Ingredients
Substitutions And Additions
How To Make This Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Why We Love This Recipe
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE
Even More Recipes You’ll Love

Who doesn’t love a steaming mug of homemade hot chocolate on a cold winter day? This recipe is not only easy to make, but it’s also delicious and satisfying with real chocolate, creamy milk, and sweet, decadent toppings.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Ingredients

Homemade Hot Chocolate raw ingredients that are labeled

This hot chocolate recipe offers a rich and velvety taste thanks to a combination of whole milk, heavy cream, and semi-sweet chocolate chips.

It’s sweetened with sugar and enhanced with cocoa powder and vanilla for a deep chocolate flavor, while chocolate chips melt to create a molten chocolate goodness.

You’ll need:

3 cups of whole milk
1 cup of heavy cream
⅓ cup of granulated sugar
3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Canned whipped topping (optional topping)
Chocolate shavings (optional topping)
Miniature marshmallows (optional topping)
Chocolate syrup (optional topping)

Substitutions And Additions

MILK: In this homemade recipe, you can substitute low-fat or nonfat milk for whole milk and heavy cream, but it will not be as rich.

PEPPERMINT: You can add a half teaspoon of peppermint flavoring for a minty version of this great recipe.

You can also add crushed candy canes to your cocoa for even more mintiness.

VANILLA: You can add a teaspoon of vanilla extract for a hint of vanilla sweetness in this hot chocolate.

WHITE CHOCOLATE: For a white hot chocolate version, substitute one cup of white chocolate for semi-sweet chocolate chips.

CHOCOLATE CHIPS: Depending on your preference, you could use milk chocolate or dark chocolate chips instead of semisweet chocolate in this recipe.

How To Make This Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe

Let’s dive into making a warm mug of rich hot chocolate with our simple instructions.

STEP ONE: Using a 3 to 4-quart saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, white sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla.

Continue whisking for four to five minutes until the mixture is hot but not bubbling.

PRO TIP:

If you want your hot chocolate to be not quite as sweet, you can add less sugar to the mixture.

milk, heavy cream, sugar, cocoa powder, and vanilla whisked together in a pot

STEP TWO: Add the chocolate chips to the hot milk mixture and continue whisking until the chocolate melts completely.

PRO TIP:

Cocoa and chocolate can settle at the bottom of the pot. To avoid burning your homemade hot cocoa, make sure to cook it over medium heat and stir continuously.

STEP THREE: Remove the saucepan from the heat.

Pour your creamy hot cocoa into mugs and top with the whipped cream topping, mini marshmallows, chocolate shavings, and chocolate syrup.

a glass of Hot Chocolate topped with whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings, and chocolate syrup

How To Serve

Curl up in front of the fireplace on a cold night with a big mug of this creamy hot chocolate.

The rich cocoa flavor and fun toppings will delight everyone you serve it to.

Add a tasty plate of snowball cookies or butter cookies for a sweet treat on the side.

Our crockpot peppermint hot chocolate and whipped hot chocolate are two more drinks full of chocolatey goodness.

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Storage

it’s essential to know how to store it properly for those moments when you need a quick chocolatey fix or want to enjoy it later. Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered!

MAKE AHEAD: You can prepare it ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two to three days.

When ready to enjoy, simply reheat it on the stove or in the microwave, stirring occasionally until it’s nice and hot.

Remember to give it a good stir to ensure all the ingredients are well combined before serving.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftovers in the refrigerator for up to two days in an airtight container or jar. Stir well before reheating.

IN THE FREEZER: If you find yourself with an abundance of hot chocolate or want to make a big batch for later, you can freeze it.

Pour your cooled hot chocolate into ice cube trays or freezer-safe containers, leaving a bit of space for expansion.

When properly stored in the freezer, it can last for up to two to three months. To reheat, simply thaw the hot chocolate cubes or container in the fridge overnight.

Then, reheat it following the stovetop or microwave instructions. Remember to stir well to achieve that creamy texture.

REHEATING: Whether you’re reheating hot chocolate from the fridge or freezer, there are a few methods to choose from:

STOVETOP: Reheat in a saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously until it’s warmed through.
MICROWAVE: Use short 30-second intervals, stirring in between until it reaches your desired temperature.

Why We Love This Recipe

RICH AND CREAMY TEXTURE: This hot chocolate is incredibly velvety and smooth, thanks to the combination of whole milk and heavy cream.

DEEP CHOCOLATE FLAVOR: The use of unsweetened cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate chips creates a robust and satisfying chocolate flavor that’s perfectly balanced.

CUSTOMIZABLE TOPPINGS: You can make this hot chocolate your own by adding your favorite toppings, whether it’s whipped cream, chocolate shavings, miniature marshmallows, or chocolate syrup.

Skip the hot chocolate mix with the best hot chocolate you’ll ever taste. The intense chocolate flavor and cream blend to create a perfect winter drink. It’s like a warm hug in a mug!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use non-dairy milk in this recipe?

This delicious recipe would be yummy with non-dairy options such as soy milk, almond milk, or coconut milk.

Can I store leftovers of this hot chocolate?

This homemade version of hot chocolate will keep in the fridge for up to two days in a sealed jar.

Does hot chocolate have caffeine?

Unsweetened cocoa powder does naturally contain caffeine, so hot cocoa does have some caffeine, which can give you a little boost.

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Hot Chocolate

5 from 1 vote

A cold day isn't complete without warm mugs of homemade hot chocolate, with the rich flavors of chocolate mixed with creamy milk and fun toppings.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings

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Ingredients

3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
⅓ cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
whipped topping optional topping
chocolate shavings optional topping
miniature marshmallows optional topping
chocolate syrup optional topping

Instructions

Using a 3 to 4 quart saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla. Continue whisking for 4 to 5 minutes until the mixture is hot but not bubbling.
Add the chocolate chips and continue whisking until the chips are completely melted.
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Pour into mugs and top with whipped topping, mini marshmallows, chocolate shavings, and chocolate syrup.

Notes

If you want your hot chocolate to be not quite as sweet, you can add less sugar to the mixture.
Cocoa and chocolate can settle at the bottom of the pot. To avoid burning your homemade hot cocoa, make sure to cook it over medium heat and stir continuously.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!