The best homemade hot chocolate recipe. This hot cocoa is smooth, creamy and made with two forms of chocolate for a rich, deep chocolate flavor. It’s easy to make in 5 minutes with 5 ingredients.
Say hello to the best hot chocolate recipe - seriously the absolute best. This hot cocoa is rich, creamy and so intensely chocolatey it will make you say, "goodbye" to powdered mixes once and for all.
This easy homemade hot chocolate is made in 5 minutes with only 5 ingredients (including two forms of chocolate) on the stovetop, so you can quickly whip up a batch to warm up after a day outside skiing or sledding, to enjoy with a side of cookies of course!
Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions
This hot cocoa recipe is best when made as written, however we'll chat about some possible substitutions. If you're looking for an allergy-friendly hot chocolate recipe, try this Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate - which is Paleo and vegan!
- Whole milk. Any milk, dairy or non-dairy, should work very well in this recipe. Just remember, the higher the percentage of fat in your milk, the creamier your final product will be. My recommendations are whole or 2% milk, and coconut milk for a dairy-free/vegan version.
- Cocoa Powder. Use pure, unsweetened cocoa powder. For a dark hot chocolate use dark cocoa powder.
- Granulated sugar. Any granulated sugar works well in this recipe. I use organic cane sugar. For a refined-sugar free variety, substitute coconut sugar for granulated sugar.
- Chocolate. I recommend using semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate. You can use milk chocolate or white chocolate, just be aware that the end result will be sweeter. For a dairy-free/vegan version, use dairy-free chocolate! You can also use bakers chocolate (100% cocoa) and just increase the amount of sugar to suit your tastes.
- Vanilla Extract. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
How to make Homemade Hot Chocolate
So many people wonder, "How do you make hot chocolate from scratch?" Well, this hot cocoa recipe is so easy you'll forget about store-bought mixes once and for all. It only takes 5 minutes to make, but as always we'll walk through the process together, and don't forget to watch the video.
Combine milk, sugar & cocoa powder
Add milk, sugar and cocoa powder to a medium saucepan.
Heat over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until the mixture just begins to bubble but does not boil.
Add Chocolate & Vanilla
When the mixture just begins to bubble, turn off the heat and add the chocolate and vanilla and whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
Pour into mugs & Serve
This hot cocoa recipe makes either 2-4 servings depending on the size of servings you'd prefer. Since this hot cocoa recipe is so rich, I usually pour it into 4 mugs and it's plenty for us!
Store
If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container (glass jar) for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Add toppings
This hot chocolate tastes amazing on its own. But if you're looking to jazz it up with some fun toppings, here are some suggestions:
- Homemade Whipped Cream (obviously)
- Marshmallows (any variety, homemade marshmallows are delicious).
- Shaved chocolate
- Dusting of cocoa powder
- Holiday sprinkles
- Crushed candy canes
- Chopped peppermint bark
More delicious recipes
- This peanut butter hot chocolate recipe is like drinking a warm peanut butter cup - YUM!
- As I mentioned before, this healthy hot chocolate is paleo and vegan! I also have a recipe for Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa Mix, which you can keep on hand in the pantry and just add water to serve.
- For a fun twist, make this Peppermint Hot Chocolate in your blender!
- This mocha latte is another fun, warm drink that's healthy but sweet.
Recipe FAQs
Homemade Whipped Cream (obviously)
Marshmallows (any variety, homemade marshmallows are delicious).
Shaved chocolate
Dusting of cocoa powder
Holiday sprinkles
Crushed candy canes
Chopped peppermint bark
Yes, use dairy-free chocolate and coconut milk. Try this dairy-free hot chocolate recipe.
Milk! I always make hot chocolate with milk.
If you make something from JoyFoodSunshine I would love to see your creations. Follow along with me on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube. Tag me in your photos #joyfoodsunshine @joyfoodsunshine Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (Hot Cocoa)
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 TBS unsweetened cocoa powder
- 6 oz (1 cup) bittersweet chocolate (or semisweet, milk, etc.)
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Homemade Whipped Cream for serving
Instructions
- Add milk, sugar and cocoa powder to a medium saucepan.
- Heat over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until the mixture just begins to bubble but does not boil.
- Add chocolate and vanilla and whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Pour into 4 small mugs and serve with homemade whipped cream.
Video
Notes
Ingredient Substitutions
- Whole milk. Any milk, dairy or non-dairy, should work very well in this recipe. Just remember, the higher the percentage of fat in your milk, the creamier your final product will be. My recommendations are whole or 2% milk, and coconut milk for a dairy-free/vegan version.
- Cocoa Powder. Use pure, unsweetened cocoa powder. For a dark hot chocolate use dark cocoa powder.
- Granulated sugar. Any granulated sugar works well in this recipe. I use organic cane sugar. For a refined-sugar free variety, substitute coconut sugar for granulated sugar.
- Chocolate. I recommend using semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate. You can use milk chocolate or white chocolate, just be aware that the end result will be sweeter. For a dairy-free/vegan version, use dairy-free chocolate! You can also use bakers chocolate (100% cocoa) and just increase the amount of sugar to suit your tastes.
- Vanilla Extract. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
Store
If you have leftovers, store in an airtight container (glass jar) for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.Nutrition
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine!
Lisa Ambrose
How do you just make it for one
Laura
You can cut the recipe ingredients in half!
Ashley Northcutt
It was good. I need new recipes for Christmas drinks.
Cora R.
This was DELICIOUS!
Mone
I tried this recipe and think it was delicious.