Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (2024)

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

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (1)

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.

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.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (2)

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.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (3)

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.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (4)

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
Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (5)

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

4.99 from 237 votes

Author: Valentina Ablaev

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (7)

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

SavePinReviewPrint

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 4 people

  • 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.

  • 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

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

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

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (8)

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

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate? ›

The source of the chocolate flavour is different. Hot Chocolate is made using solid chocolate melted in warm milk or cream. Hot Cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa with added sugar and dissolved in hot water or hot milk.

How to make chocolate from scratch? ›

Instructions
  1. Roast cocoa beans to 130c for about 25-35 minutes.
  2. Cool your beans for 6 hours.
  3. Crack and winnow.
  4. Place 700 grams of cocoa nibs in grinder and grind 24 hours. ( pre heat grinder or add some hot air)
  5. Add 300 grams of sugar after 24 hours.
  6. Grind for another 24 hours.
  7. Remove from machine, through a sieve.
Sep 1, 2020

How do I make a hot cup of cocoa? ›

Whisk together the cocoa, sugar, salt, and about 2 tablespoons milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until cocoa and sugar are dissolved. Whisk in the rest of the milk and heat it over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until it is hot. Stir in the vanilla and serve.

Should you make hot chocolate with milk or water? ›

Ultimately, the decision of whether to use milk or water when making hot chocolate comes down to personal taste. While some people may prefer the creaminess that milk adds to their cup of cocoa, others might enjoy the lighter flavor provided by using water instead.

Is hot cocoa just warm chocolate milk? ›

Ingredients: Hot chocolate gets its deep, chocolatey flavor from the base of thick, melted chocolate. Warm liquids like water, milk, or cream are added to make the drink liquid. Hot cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa, sugar, and added flavorings.

Is hot cocoa better for you than coffee? ›

Mood-boosting effects: Drinking hot chocolate has been shown to increase levels of serotonin and endorphins in the brain, which can improve mood and reduce stress. A healthier option: Compared to coffee, hot chocolate contains less fat and calories and is a good source of antioxidants.

How to make cocoa powder at home easily? ›

All you need is organic cocoa nibs, a food press and a blender or food processor. Pour organic cocoa nibs into the press to separate the wet (oil) from the dry (powder). The separated oil will be processed into cocoa butter. The dry pressed nibs are poured into a blender to make a fine coco powder.

What gives hot cocoa its flavor? ›

To make powdered hot chocolate, the beans are soaked in alkali to increase their pH before roasting. Raising the pH to be more basic helps make the powdered cocoa more soluble in water. But when the beans are at a higher pH during roasting, it changes the Maillard reaction so that different flavors are formed.

Can you microwave milk for hot cocoa? ›

Pour the Milk: Fill your chosen container with the amount of milk you want for your hot chocolate, but remember not to fill it to the brim. Microwave on Medium Power: Instead of blasting the milk on high, set your microwave to a medium power setting. This will warm the milk evenly without suddenly boiling it over.

Can you make Swiss Miss hot chocolate with milk instead of water? ›

Swiss Miss does not mix well in cold water or milk. It's best to heat the water or milk. If you want it cold, refrigerate it overnight.

Do you put milk before or after hot chocolate? ›

Many recipes recommend mixing cocoa powder and sugar with a little water before adding the milk, and we found this to be worthwhile. Premixing of the cocoa powder and sugar with milk produced a less flavorful drink. Because the milk fat in cream and milk has such a distinct flavor, it can mask other flavors.

Why do Americans call hot chocolate hot cocoa? ›

Hot chocolate and hot cocoa are terms used reciprocally, but they are actually two separate types of drinks. Hot cocoa is made from cocoa powder, whereas hot chocolate is made from melted bars of chocolate containing cocoa, sugar and cocoa butter then mixed with milk, water, or cream.

Why is hot chocolate called hot cocoa? ›

Terminology. A distinction is sometimes made between "hot cocoa", made from cocoa powder (ground cacao beans from which much of the cocoa butter has been removed), and "hot chocolate", made directly from bar chocolate, which already contains cocoa, sugar, and cocoa butter.

Which is healthier cocoa or hot chocolate? ›

Warming chocolate drinks are undoubtedly one of winter's greatest pleasures, but if you're drinking a highly processed hot chocolate, you simply aren't reaping the same health benefits as you could be with cacao. Not only is cacao more satisfying and fulfilling, it's also far better for you and the planet!

Is there a difference between cocoa and chocolate? ›

Cocoa and chocolate are both made from the beans of the cocoa pod. They are difference in the step of extracting, and the components inside are not the same. Chocolate is the fermentation of cocoa beans to produce microorganisms and accelerate many nutrients in cocoa beans for maximum efficiency.

Top Articles
52 Easy Fermented Food Recipes (No Whey Required!)
Keto Chocolate Bars (Award Winning Recipe!) - The Big Man's World ®
How To Fix Epson Printer Error Code 0x9e
Wordscapes Level 6030
Jennifer Hart Facebook
How Many Cc's Is A 96 Cubic Inch Engine
30 Insanely Useful Websites You Probably Don't Know About
Did 9Anime Rebrand
Practical Magic 123Movies
Nc Maxpreps
Barstool Sports Gif
ds. J.C. van Trigt - Lukas 23:42-43 - Preekaantekeningen
Decaying Brackenhide Blanket
Truist Drive Through Hours
Weather In Moon Township 10 Days
Tight Tiny Teen Scouts 5
Blog:Vyond-styled rants -- List of nicknames (blog edition) (TouhouWonder version)
Uhcs Patient Wallet
New Stores Coming To Canton Ohio 2022
2020 Military Pay Charts – Officer & Enlisted Pay Scales (3.1% Raise)
Nhl Tankathon Mock Draft
Persona 5 Royal Fusion Calculator (Fusion list with guide)
Project, Time & Expense Tracking Software for Business
Two Babies One Fox Full Comic Pdf
Riversweeps Admin Login
Craigslist Efficiency For Rent Hialeah
2021 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Pl electric for sale - Portland, OR - craigslist
Tokioof
Opsahl Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory Yankton
Bernie Platt, former Cherry Hill mayor and funeral home magnate, has died at 90
Workday Latech Edu
Craigslist West Seneca
Top-ranked Wisconsin beats Marquette in front of record volleyball crowd at Fiserv Forum. What we learned.
The 50 Best Albums of 2023
Arcadia Lesson Plan | Day 4: Crossword Puzzle | GradeSaver
Craigslist Boats Eugene Oregon
How To Get Soul Reaper Knife In Critical Legends
Lyca Shop Near Me
Telugu Moviez Wap Org
Kerry Cassidy Portal
Busted Newspaper Campbell County KY Arrests
Fwpd Activity Log
2017 Ford F550 Rear Axle Nut Torque Spec
Peace Sign Drawing Reference
Babykeilani
Canada Life Insurance Comparison Ivari Vs Sun Life
Value Village Silver Spring Photos
Lux Funeral New Braunfels
Gear Bicycle Sales Butler Pa
Helpers Needed At Once Bug Fables
Elizabethtown Mesothelioma Legal Question
Lux Nails & Spa
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Domingo Moore

Last Updated:

Views: 5750

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Domingo Moore

Birthday: 1997-05-20

Address: 6485 Kohler Route, Antonioton, VT 77375-0299

Phone: +3213869077934

Job: Sales Analyst

Hobby: Kayaking, Roller skating, Cabaret, Rugby, Homebrewing, Creative writing, amateur radio

Introduction: My name is Domingo Moore, I am a attractive, gorgeous, funny, jolly, spotless, nice, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.