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You are here: Home / Recipes / Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (Hot Cocoa)

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (Hot Cocoa)

Last updated on October 27, 2020. Originally published November 1, 2020 2 Comments

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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.

front photo of a glass mug of homemade hot chocolate with whipped cream

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! 

glass mug of homemade hot chocolate with whipped cream

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 hot cocoa 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 in this hot chocolate recipe. 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.

overhead view of the ingredients in this hot chocolate recipe

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. 

overhead photo showing how to make hot chocolate

Heat over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until the mixture just begins to bubble but does not boil.

overhead photo showing how to make hot chocolate

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.

two overhead photos showing how to make hot chocolate

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! 

front view of a glass mug of homemade hot cocoa

What are good toppings for hot chocolate? 

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

If you love this hot chocolate recipe, try these! 

  • 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. 

front view of a mug of homemade hot chocolate with whipped cream

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Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (Hot Cocoa)

Laura
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.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 7 mins
Course beverage, Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings
Calories 397 kcal

Equipment

  • 3 quart saucepan
  • whisk
  • measuring spoons
  • measuring cups

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 hot cocoa 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 in this hot chocolate recipe. 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.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25recipeCalories: 397kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 8gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 18mgSodium: 71mgPotassium: 484mgFiber: 4gSugar: 36gVitamin A: 268IUCalcium: 202mgIron: 3mg
Keyword best hot chocolate, best hot chocolate recipe, homemade Hot chocolate, homemade Hot chocolate recipe, homemade hot cocoa, homemade hot cocoa recipe, hot chocolate, Hot chocolate recipe, hot cocoa, hot cocoa recipe
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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! 

You might also like:

Fried Rice Recipe
Homemade Peanut Butter Granola Bars Recipe
Fudge Brownie Cake

Filed Under: Chocolate, Christmas, Dessert, Drinks, Gluten-Free, Recipe Videos, Recipes Tagged With: chocolate, dessert, drinks

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cora R.

    December 17, 2020 at 11:56 am

    5 stars
    This was DELICIOUS!

    Reply
  2. Mone

    December 17, 2020 at 11:55 am

    5 stars
    I tried this recipe and think it was delicious.

    Reply

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Hello I’m Laura! I am a former chemistry teacher turned wife and mom of five beautiful babies with one on the way in 2021! I’m a green smoothie addict, lover of the outdoors, and a peanut butter & nap enthusiast! Click here to read more >>

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