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The best homemade hot chocolate with whole milk, real chocolate, sugar and water. This hot cocoa recipe is so easy to make at home. It's so creamy and rich!
Hot Chocolate Recipe
Winter time calls for hot chocolate and I am sure we all spend a fortune getting our favorite cup of hot cocoa from Starbucks!
In this recipe, I am going to teach you how to make homemade hot chocolate that tastes like Starbucks, at a fraction of the price.
There is no more hot choc run and you can make this hot beverage at the comfort of your home, anytime you like.
How To Make Hot Chocolate
There are many recipes for hot cocoa but I swear by this recipe that my sister taught me.
It’s an easy recipe and calls for only four (4) key ingredients.
- Whole milk (preferred). You can use low fat 2% milk if you like.
- Semi sweet chocolate chips (preferred) or real cocoa powder.
- Sugar.
- Sweetened whipped cream, optional.
- Pumpkin spice, optional
To make the beverage, first you bring the milk to a boil. Next, lower the heat and add the chocolate or cocoa powder.
The last step is to sweeten the hot cocoa with sugar and topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder.
During fall and winter months, I like to add a little bit of pumpkin spice.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
Cooking Tips
For the milkiest, chocolate-rich and the best hot chocolate, follow my tips below:
- Use high quality semi sweet chocolate chips. I like Scharffen Berger, Barry Callebaut and Ghirardelli. Trader Joe’s chocolate chips are great, too.
- If you choose to use cocoa powder, make sure you use a cocoa powder which is not too bitter. I like Ghirardelli Sweet Ground Cocoa.
- Use whole milk.
- Always serve the hot cocoa with a piece of chocolate on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you sure can, but I strongly recommend my recipe to make this favorite hot drink from scratch.
It’s much cheaper and better than instant hot cocoa mix.
Technically, hot chocolate is made with real chocolate and hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder.
However, they are the same beverage universally and mean the same thing.
Yes, you sure can. You can use almond milk or make it with water.
This recipe is only 599 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Hot Chocolate
Serve the hot choc with breakfast. For breakfast of champions, I recommend the following recipes.
I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. If you try my recipe, please leave a comment and consider giving it a 5-star rating. For more easy and delicious recipes, explore my Recipe Index, and stay updated by subscribing to my newsletter and following me on Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for new updates.
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Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup water, optional
- 1/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chip, loosely packed (or scant 2 tablespoons cocoa powder)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- sweetened whipped cream, optional
- cocoa powder, for garnishing
- 1 pinch pumpkin spice, optional
- 1 piece chocolate
Instructions
- Heat up the milk and water (optional) on medium heat. As soon as it bubbles, add the chocolate chips or cocoa powder and sugar. Stir to mix well. Turn off the heat and transfer the hot chocolate to a mug.
- Top with the whipped cream (if using), cocoa powder and pumpkin spice (if using). Serve hot with a piece of chocolate on the side.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
easy recipe for a cozy day in at home… my kids love the hot chocolate
Easy to learn and i just follow your steps…It’s really work it. Thanks for your recipes. I love it.
Thanks for trying my hot chocolate recipe.
It now seems silly that I ever bought hot chocolate mix when it is so easy to make at home. This was totally tasty and I will make it again. This recipe is amazing!
Thanks Natalie, please try more recipes on my site: https://rasamalaysia.com/recipe-index-gallery/
I absolutely LOVED this recipe, and so did my family! It was deliciously creamy, and had the perfect chocolate taste without being cloyingly sweet. I definitely won’t be going back to instant cocoa mix after having this taste of Heaven!
Thanks Lexi.
This was delicious, quick and simple. I used 85% chocolate and it was rich and thick.
Yum!
Made your hot chocolate for breakfast this morning. Love it I added pumpkin spice like you said, feel so warm after drinking :)
I love this – my Mother made it this way when I was very young. The good stuff has staying power :)
Hi Karen, yes, it’s the only way to make hot chocolate. :)
It sounds good but why would you add water to it? Why wouldn’t you only use milk?
I add water to it so it’s not too rich. It’s optional if you like it richer, skip.