Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Posted Nov 25, 2018, Updated Jun 23, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This peanut butter hot chocolate recipe is rich & chocolate with tons of peanut butter! Homemade peanut butter hot cocoa is easy to make with 6 ingredients in 10 minutes and tastes like you’re drinking a warm, liquid peanut butter cup!
What’s better than a warm mug full of rich, creamy homemade hot chocolate topped with homemade whipped cream?
Answer: A warm mug full of rich, creamy homemade peanut butter hot chocolate.
Because I mean really, why wouldn’t you want to cozy up with a sweet treat that tastes just like a warm, liquid peanut butter cup?! This peanut butter hot chocolate recipe is seriously delicious, and is made with 6 ingredients in less than 10 minutes
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Ingredients
- Whole Milk. 2% milk, heavy cream, half and half or a combination of these can be used instead of solely using whole milk. For an extra-creamy version use 1 cup whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream. Coconut milk is the best choice for a dairy-free hot cocoa.
- Semisweet Chocolate. Use your favorite chocolate, dark, milk, even white. You can also use dairy-free chocolate. Or, use unsweetened chocolate and increase the sugar to suit your tastes.
- Peanut Butter. I recommend using your favorite creamy peanut butter.
- Sugar. use white sugar or organic cane sugar. To make a refined-sugar free version you can use coconut sugar or even honey.
- Sea Salt. I only recommend adding a touch of sea salt if the peanut butter you use does not contain any salt.
How to Make Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
We’ll walk through this recipe step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.
Cook over Medium-low heat
Cooking this peanut butter hot chocolate recipe in a saucepan over low heat is the best way to ensure that the chocolate melts evenly and the ingredients do not burn.
Begin by adding the milk chocolate, peanut butter and sugar to a small saucepan.
Then, cook over medium-low heat, whisking constantly until chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
It’s important to whisk this peanut butter hot chocolate recipe consistently to avoid lumps, and to prevent the ingredients from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Then, add the cocoa powder, vanilla and salt (if desired) and whisk until completely combined and warm.
Next, cover and remove from heat and let cocoa sit (covered) for 5 minutes before serving if you would like a thick hot cocoa, or serve immediately.
Serve
Then, pour the peanut butter hot chocolate into 2-4 mugs (depending on the amount you’d like to enjoy) and serve.
I recommend serving it with a dollop of homemade whipped cream and a drizzle of extra peanut butter.
Optional Toppings
If desired, you can serve the peanut butter hot chocolate with some delicious toppings. Here are some suggestions:
- Homemade Whipped Cream (obviously)
- Peanut butter drizzle
- Peanut butter cups (chopped)
- Marshmallows (any variety,ย homemade marshmallowsย are delicious).ย
- Shaved chocolate
- Dusting of cocoa powder
- Holiday sprinkles
Store
If you have leftovers, store them in a glass jar with a lid in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Please note: due to the melted chocolate in this recipe, it will very likely become solid in the refrigerator. All you need to do is re-warm it over low heat on the stovetop to return it to a drinkable consistency.
You can also thin it out with a little extra milk if necessary.
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Recipe FAQs
Yes, as the milk and peanut butter mixture warms, the peanut butter will melt.
To make this Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa with no refined sugar there are two simple substitutions you need to make:
1. Use unsweetened chocolate in place of the bittersweet or semisweet chocolate.
2. Replace granulated sugar with coconut sugar.
Also, be mindful of the peanut butter you choose! Make sure to choose a variety that does not have any added sugars.
Yes, this recipe is easy to double (or triple) to feed a crowd.
If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 3 ounces semisweet chocolate
- ยผ cup creamy peanut butter
- ยผ cup granulated sugar
- 1ย Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1ย teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- โ teaspoon sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Add milk chocolate, peanut butter and sugar to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat.
- Whisk constantly until chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Add, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt (if desired) and whisk until completely combined and warm.
- Cover and remove from heat and let cocoa sit (covered) for 5 minutes before serving if you would like a very thick hot cocoa, or serve immediately.
Video
Notes
- Whole Milk. 2% milk, heavy cream, half and half or a combination of these can be used instead of solely using whole milk. For an extra-creamy version use 1 cup whole milk, 1 cup heavy cream. Coconut milk is the best choice for a dairy-free hot cocoa.
- Semisweet Chocolate.ย Use your favorite chocolate, dark, milk, even white. You can also use dairy-free chocolate. Or, use unsweetened chocolate and increase the sugar to suit your tastes.
- Peanut Butter.ย I recommend using your favorite creamy peanut butter.
- Sugar.ย use white sugar or organic cane sugar. To make a refined-sugar free version you can use coconut sugar or even honey.
- Sea Salt.ย I only recommend adding a touch of sea salt if the peanut butter you use does not contain any salt.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Great hot chocolate. Thanks.
By any chance, can you substitute powdered peanut butter (PB2 or TruNut) to make hot cocoa bombs?
Yes, I substituted powdered peanut butter and it worked beautifully. Whisk really hard!
Great idea!! Will be making on the next cold day.
I am totally drooling looking at this!
Yum! This seems so warm and rich. I have been DF for 2 years so I love having these simple recipes on hand when a chocolate craving strikes! Thanks for sharing!
Yes! I opt for dairy-free treats as much as possible! It is super creamy and delicious! You will love it!
Wow this is insane; I can imagine this being the most satisfying creamy mug of hot cocoa.
It’s like a liquid peanut butter cup! ๐
Oh boy. This looks AMAZING!! Yum ๐
I love that you made this with almond and coconut milk. Just the right amount of richness!
Thank you Judy!
I made this recipe, I had half of it hot I froze the other half and had peanutbutter cchocolate icecream later, delicious ๐
I did exactly the same thing, but I churned the hot chocolate in my ice cream maker after it had cooled! ๐
I cannot wait to try this! Peanut butter and chocolate are my favorite foods…such a great idea to combine them in hot chocolate! ๐