Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe
A rich and creamy homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe that is ready in minutes. Learn how to make real hot cocoa using staple kitchen ingredients.
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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.
How to make Hot Chocolate:
- In a saucepan, whisk together the sugar and cocoa powder. Add milk, chocolate chunks, and vanilla.
- Place over medium heat until steaming, whisking constantly to avoid burning the chocolate.
- 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.
Common Questions:
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.
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.
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.
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
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:
- Sugar Cookies – our go-to Christmas cut-out cookies
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies – with a soft, fudgy center
- Chocolate Chip Cookies – soft, bakery-style
- Oatmeal Cookies – oatmeal coconut cookies
- Chocolate Chip Bar – loaded with chocolate chips
Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe
A rich and creamy homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe that is ready in minutes. Learn how to make real hot cocoa using staple kitchen ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (or add to desired sweetness)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 cups whole milk*
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate (chips, chunks or shavings)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
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.
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Set aside to cool to your desired temperature and serve with your favorite toppings.
Recipe Notes
*For a richer and creamier hot chocolate, replace 1 cup of milk with 1 cup of heavy cream or half and half.
Valentina Ablaev
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Made this for my daughter tonight and she LOVED IT! She said it was fantastic! I cut the recipe in half since it was just her. It worked out great!
I’m so happy she enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us!
Hi Natasha, do you have a recipe for a big batch hot chocolate using powdered milk
Thanks
Hi Sharron, this is the only hot chocolate recipe we have at this time. Thank you for that suggestion!
Can you please do a traditional Christmas Eve menu
Also Christmas Day
Email it to me if you can’t put it on your site
Thank you
Chrystos Razdiat Sia
Hi Ana, thank you for that suggestion! One thing we do recommend is typing Christmas into our blog search window and all Christmas posts will appear.
A pinch of sea salt nakes it so much better
Ooh I love that idea to balance the sweetness. Thank you for sharing!
Natasha I love dark chocolate (at least 70% cacoa). Can I use that instead of semi sweet chocolate?
Hi Traci, absolutely! That would be delicious. I’m a fan of dark chocolate also, but the kids like the sweeter version.
Hi
Hi Malak!
Hi natasha I want to try your onion soup but there is a problem that I don’t drink wine and also I don’t have dry vermouth can you say for me how to replace it
Hi Judy, can you comment and ask this question in the comments section of the recipe itself? You posted it in the hot chocolate recipe.
I used half/half. Delicious!! Just a little too sweet for me. Next time will cut the sugar amount in half
Sounds good, Adrian. Thank you for your wonderful review!
Can you do more pastries video please and also to be easy can you do it in your next video or post
Thanks for your suggestion, Sara. We have the recipes lined up for the whole year but I can take note of this request and add it to our list.
Hi natasha I want to buy your pastry brush so where did you get it from
Hi Jana, you can find our favorite tools in our blog shop here and in our Amazon Affiliate shop HERE.
Hi natasha I hope you are fine
i am going to ask a question do you schedule your recipes if yes can you schedule a video about stromboli i will be happy if you do it
Hi Jana! Thank you for that suggestion! We have something very similar. Have you tried our calzones?
Hi Jana, I have a new video on YouTube every Friday morning at MST. I’ll take note of your suggestion, thanks!
I am so glad you added this! My daughter and I love to make hot chocolate every Christmas Eve and I didn’t want to buy the box kind. I wanted a homemade recipe. I can’t wait to try this!
I hope you love this recipe! It came just in time for Christmas!
My favorite winter treat!
I’m so happy you enjoeyd that Melissa! That’s so great!
Delicious hot chocolate! My kids are HUGE fans! Definitely need to make this a new Saturday night winter tradition! That and a nice fire in the fireplace! 🙂
Isn’t it the best! Sipping on Hot Chocolate by a nice fire sounds so cozy!
Sounds great! How long can leftovers be stored? Or is it better to half the recipe?
Hi Nev, you can store leftovers for 3 to 5 days. It’s also easy to cut the recipe in half if you wanted to make a smaller batch. Click on the serving size in the recipe card to scale the ingredient amounts up or down.
Nothing is better than hot cocoa from scratch! What a great recipe find.
It is so so good! I hope you try this recipe soon!
Can you make it sugar free by using sugar substitute and lactose free milk
Hi Maria, I haven’t tested that but it seems like it would work. I hope you enjoy it.