A rich and creamy homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe that is ready in minutes. Learn how to make real hot cocoa using staple kitchen ingredients.

A cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder next to another cup and marshmallows.

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Hey, hey, Valentina with Valentina’s Corner sharing our favorite classic Hot Cocoa.

Hot Chocolate Recipe:

Just like homemade Apple Cider, This hot chocolate recipe is a favorite during the cooler months. This is the easiest recipe and takes just minutes on the stove. Enjoy your warm mug of hot cocoa, the ULTIMATE cozy drink that everyone will love! 

Ingredients for Hot Chocolate:

There are just 5 ingredients needed for a classic hot chocolate mix.

  • Cocoa powder – be sure it’s unsweetened
  • Sugar – add granulated sugar to your desired sweetness
  • Chocolate – melt in semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips, chunks, or shavings for a rich chocolate flavor
  • Milk – we use whole milk for a creamier consistency and it incorporates chocolate better than skim milk.
  • Vanilla extract – use homemade vanilla for the best taste

For an extra rich and creamy hot cocoa: replace 1 cup of whole milk with a cup of half and half or heavy cream.

Hot chocolate ingredients on platter with sugar, milk and cocoa powder.

How to make Hot Chocolate:

  1. In a saucepan, whisk together the sugar and cocoa powder. Add milk, chocolate chunks, and vanilla.
  2. Place over medium heat until steaming, whisking constantly to avoid burning the chocolate.
  3. Cool to desired serving temperature and serve with your favorite toppings.

Pro Tip: Cocoa and chocolate can settle at the bottom of the pot. Avoid burning your homemade hot cocoa by cooking it over medium heat and stir continuously.

Hot cocoa in a medium saucepan.

Common Questions:

Does hot chocolate have caffeine?

Since unsweetened cocoa powder naturally contains, caffeine, hot cocoa does have some caffeine which can give you a little energy boost. One serving contains about 12 mg caffeine. For reference, a cup of black coffee has 95 mg caffeine and black tea can have 25-50mg caffeine.

Can I make Mexican Hot Chocolate?

To make Mexican hot chocolate, you need additional spices: 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Also, use bittersweet chocolate.

Can I use store-bought hot cocoa mix?

You can omit the cocoa and sugar if using a pre-made cocoa mix. I would suggest using 4 packets or 4 servings according to the package instructions.

A close up of hot chocolate in a glass mug with whipped cream and cocoa powder.

Hot Chocolate Toppings:

The BEST part about homemade hot chocolate is the toppings and added flavors! We love to make a toppings bar, especially for the holidays and parties.

  • Whipped cream
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Crushed peppermint
  • White chocolate
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Sprinkles
  • Peppermint sticks
  • Chocolate shavings
hot chocolate topped with variety of toppings

Nothing beats homemade hot chocolate on a cold day, except maybe hot cocoa and a warm slice of Banana Bread… Mmm.

How to reheat hot cocoa:

  • Stovetop – Reheat in a saucepan over low heat until warm, stirring frequently.
  • Slow Cooker – When serving at a party, we love to keep hot cocoa warm in a slow cooker on the low heat setting.

What to serve with Hot Chocolate:

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe

4.99 from 237 votes
Author: Valentina Ablaev
homemade hot chocolate in mugs with whipped cream
A rich and creamy homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe that is ready in minutes. Learn how to make real hot cocoa using staple kitchen ingredients.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 4 people

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar and cocoa powder. Add milk, chocolate chips, and vanilla and whisk together.
  • Place over medium heat and bring it to a light boil while stirring constantly. Be sure the chocolate is fully melted and incorporated.
  • Set aside to cool to your desired temperature and serve with your favorite toppings.

Notes

*For a richer and creamier hot chocolate, replace 1 cup of milk with 1 cup of heavy cream or half and half. 

Nutrition Per Serving

338kcal Calories39g Carbs10g Protein17g Fat10g Saturated Fat26mg Cholesterol108mg Sodium528mg Potassium4g Fiber33g Sugar395IU Vitamin A296mg Calcium2mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
338
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
17
g
26
%
Saturated Fat
 
10
g
63
%
Cholesterol
 
26
mg
9
%
Sodium
 
108
mg
5
%
Potassium
 
528
mg
15
%
Carbohydrates
 
39
g
13
%
Fiber
 
4
g
17
%
Sugar
 
33
g
37
%
Protein
 
10
g
20
%
Vitamin A
 
395
IU
8
%
Calcium
 
296
mg
30
%
Iron
 
2
mg
11
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: hot chocolate, hot cocoa
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 338

Valentina Ablaev

I am Valentina, the creator behind the food blog Valentina’s Corner where I share our family’s favorite recipes. When I am not in the kitchen, I enjoy spending quality time with my husband and 5 children. We invite you to join us on our blogging journey!

Read more posts by Valentina

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Charissa Smith
    February 20, 2024

    I made myself a cup of hot chocolate this morning and it was phenomenal! Using some dark chocolate chips enhanced the rich flavor of this drink. This could be my favorite recipe of the cold months.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      February 20, 2024

      Hi Charissa! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for sharing.

      Reply

  • Nour
    January 10, 2024

    4 cups in us customary units is supposed to be approx 948 ml
    why does it give me 709.76 ml when chosing metric?

    Reply

    • Natasha
      January 11, 2024

      Hi Nour, thank you so much for pointing this out. I appreciate the heads up. You are correct and I have fixed this now. It looks like the conversion calculator glitched and I’m not sure why but it’s fixed.

      Reply

  • pam
    December 25, 2023

    I made a cup for Christmas morning with a touch less sugar. otherwise full on calories for me just this one day. excellent and super chocolate. Yum!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      December 25, 2023

      Sounds great! Thanks for sharing, Pam.

      Reply

  • Paulette Codipilly
    December 8, 2023

    My husband and I were invited to go with our grandchildren to cut a Christmas Tree down. I told them I would bring thermoses of hot chocolate. I checked Ina’s and Pioneer Woman’s recipe but just KNEW yours would be a winner!! I wasn’t wrong. I made enough for 10 servings and used the half and half for part of the milk. I used Ghirardelli Dutch press cocoa and followed everything in the recipe. I did add just 3-4 little pinches of kosher salt to balance and this recipe is perfection!! As I knew it would be! I’ve packed some whipped cream on ice and little snow man marshmallows for the kids to top it. Can’t thank you enough. P.s. when I was asked what I wanted for Christmas, I immediately said “Natasha’s Cookbook!!”

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 8, 2023

      Hi Paulette! That’s wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply

  • person
    December 5, 2023

    can i use semi skimmed milk for this as i dont have whole milk and i am making lots of this

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 5, 2023

      Yes, it just won’t be as rich and creamy.

      Reply

  • Sebastian
    December 4, 2023

    In US Customary Measurement your recipe uses a 1:1 ratio of Sugar to Cocoa, but in the Metric measurement it shows a 2:1 ratio. Is there a reason for this? Which one is correct/better?

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 4, 2023

      Hi Sebastian. The sugar weighs more than cocoa powdered when weighed so it can’t be compared to the measurements in cups (volume).

      Reply

  • Caitlin
    December 2, 2023

    Made this after a cold parade and everyone loved it. Made it will dairy free milk and dairy free semi sweet chocolate chips and you would never guess it wasn’t real dairy. Saving this for our next cold day.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      December 2, 2023

      That’s wonderful, Caitlin!

      Reply

  • Suzanne Kirkham
    November 27, 2023

    Thanks for the easy recipe. I substituted powdered milk and sugar free sweetener. It seems to be good. I’ll have to experiment with the ratios a bit.

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      November 27, 2023

      Thank you for sharing, Suzanne!

      Reply

  • Aw
    November 18, 2023

    Like drinking liquid chocolate. I subbed oat milk for regular milk and it turned out perfectly.

    Reply

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