This Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe is perfect for those cold days when you need a cozy treat to warm you up. It combines cream and bittersweet chocolate with a hint of unsweetened cocoa powder for depth.
Brown sugar adds a hint of caramel sweetness, while espresso powder and vanilla extract create complex flavors that are simply divine.
Enjoy it as is, or pair it with Irish Bread, Cornmeal Muffins, or any preferred snack. For a special treat, top it up with whipped cream, marshmallows, crushed candy canes, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
- Whisk milk, cream, brown sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and optional instant coffee in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Heat until just below boiling, then remove from heat.
- Add chocolate and vanilla and whisk until fully melted.
- Ladle hot chocolate into mugs.
👀👉Check out our homemade hot chocolate mix recipe!
Camila's Tips
- Using good-quality chocolate bar or chocolate chip will make a big difference in the flavor and richness of the hot chocolate. You can use different types of chocolate, such as dark chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, or a mix, as well as white chocolate chips. Remember that the flavor and sweetness may be affected by the type of chocolate you use.
- You can use any type of cocoa powder, either natural unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
- Enhance the taste by adding a cinnamon stick, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon, or ¼ teaspoon of nutmeg.
- For a richer hot chocolate, reduce the whole milk to 4 cups and use 1 cup of heavy cream.
For a boozy Hot chocolate, top each drink with 2 tablespoons of whiskey or bourbon, or adjust according to preference.
See More Hot Chocolate Recipes:
- Mexican hot chocolate
- Easy hot cocoa recipe
- Cherry Hot Chocolate
- White Hot Chocolate
- Hot White Chocolate Mocha
📖 Recipe
Hot Chocolate
This Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe is perfect for those cold days when you need a cozy treat to warm you up. It combines cream and bittersweet chocolate with a hint of unsweetened cocoa powder for depth. Brown sugar adds a hint of caramel sweetness, while espresso powder and vanilla extract create complex flavors that are simply divine. Enjoy it as is, or pair it with Irish Bread, Cornmeal Muffins, or any preferred snack. For a special treat, top it up with whipped cream, marshmallows, crushed candy canes, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Tools
- Measuring Cups & Spoons
- 5 Quart Saucepan
Ingredients
- 8 ounces good-quality bittersweet chocolate such as Ghirardelli Brand, chopped I used Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Premium Baking Chips chips, but you can also use a chopped chocolate bar if you prefer.
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder , optional
- ¼ cup brown sugar or 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon instant espresso or instant coffee powder
- 4-½ cups whole milk
- 1-½ cups heavy cream, Full Fat Canned Evaporated Milk or whole milk
- small pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, cream, light brown sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and instant coffee (if using) over medium-high heat.
- Bring the mixture to just below boil. Remove from the heat.
- Add the chocolate and vanilla to the saucepan and whisk until the chocolate is fully melted.
- Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs. Optionally, garnish with marshmallow, whipped cream, or chocolate shavings before serving.
Notes
How to Store & Re-Heat
Store leftover hot chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, pour the desired amount into a small saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring frequently, until hot, but do not bring to a boil.
Alternatively, you can reheat the drink in the microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until heated through.
Make-Ahead & Freeze
It is not advisable to make ahead or freeze.
Nutrition Facts
Hot Chocolate
Amount per Serving
Calories
261
% Daily Value*
Fat
14
g
22
%
Saturated Fat
9
g
56
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
0.2
g
Monounsaturated Fat
1
g
Cholesterol
31
mg
10
%
Sodium
84
mg
4
%
Potassium
295
mg
8
%
Carbohydrates
27
g
9
%
Sugar
26
g
29
%
Protein
6
g
12
%
Vitamin A
316
IU
6
%
Calcium
240
mg
24
%
Iron
0.002
mg
0
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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