Homemade Hot Chocolate with Real Chocolate
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Homemade hot chocolate with real chocolate is a great way to warm up from the cold. This chocolate drink is rich, thick, creamy, and chocolaty. Made with my popular homemade hot chocolate mix that uses real chocolate along with the cocoa powder.
Winter is here and we are already in comfort food moods from chocolate drinks, to pumpkin lattes. Have you tried my iced pumpkin lattes?
It’s been raining constantly for three days so the kids are really upset about not being able to play out.
The best thing about being indoors, of course, is soups and drinking chocolate. Nothing beats a warm bowl of soup and some fresh bread for dinner. Top it with a cup of luxurious homemade chocolate drink under a warm blanket and your favorite movie on Telly. Heaven!
Why make this hot chocolate?
- This is a rich chocolate flavor that is thick and creamy. The longer you cook the mixture, the thicker and creamier it becomes – almost like drinking vanilla pastry cream in a glass!
- This recipe uses my homemade hot chocolate mix. While you can use any store-bought variety I highly recommend you try my cocoa mix. It’s the best thing you will do for yourself in winter or summer. It makes some really delicious thick, creamy, and luscious hot and cold drinks.
- The best part is the mix takes only 5 minutes to make using ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
- You can top it with whipped cream and grated chocolate or of course, marshmallows as I did today.
- You can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, bittersweet chocolate bar or semi-sweet chocolate chips. Love the creaminess they add to the drink.
- You can make it with dairy milk of course but you can also make it dairy-free and vegan such as almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk.
- In summer, I love to smear the rim of my glass with melted chocolate. And drop in a handful of ice cubes. Top with whipped cream to make frozen hot chocolate.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Hot chocolate mix – As I said above this recipe uses my hot chocolate mix. You can use a store-bought cocoa mix but that usually has only cocoa powder, milk powder, and some sugar.
My cocoa mix has real chocolate in there!! - Milk – I use dairy whole milk. Almond, coconut, or soy would be delicious too.
- Spices – I love adding a pinch of cinnamon to my hot chocolate mix. In fall I like some pumpkin spice or gingerbread spice mix.
- Additional – add a pinch of 1/8 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for flavor.
Homemade hot chocolate recipe
Small batch
- In a small saucepan add the milk and cocoa mix. Stir to combine. Heat on medium heat and let the milk come to a boil. When the milk boils let simmer for just a minute on low heat. Remove from heat and pour into a mug. Top with grated chocolate or marshmallows.
Pro tip – Use a whisk to stir powdered ingredients to prevent lumps. Bring the milk to a boil. This activates the cornstarch in the chocolate mix and makes the hot chocolate thick and creamy.
Large batch
- In a medium saucepan add the milk and cocoa mix. Stir to combine. Heat on medium heat and let the milk come to a boil. When the milk boils let simmer for just a minute on low heat. Remove from heat and pour into a mug. Top with grated chocolate or marshmallows.
Pro tip – Use a whisk to stir powdered ingredients to prevent lumps. Bring the milk to a boil. This activates the cornstarch in the chocolate mix and makes the hot chocolate thick and creamy.
Microwave
- You can also use a microwave-safe mug and heat the milk for a minute, add the hot cocoa mix, and continue to heat at 30-second intervals until the milk comes to a boil. Top with grated chocolate and marshmallows.
Variations
- Holiday hot cocoa – During the holiday season add some crushed peppermint extract, candy cane over the hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.
- Chocolate chips – I’ve used a grated chocolate bar but you can also use semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips.
- White chocolate – If you like white chocolate throw in some white chocolate chips for some added sweet chocolate flavor.
- Sweet or unsweet – Of course, I have used unsweetened cocoa powder but you can use sweetened cocoa powder to make the drink sweeter.
- Cinnamon – Add a sprinkle of cinnamon powder and garnish with cinnamon sticks to celebrate fall.
- Maple hot chocolate – for a healthy hot chocolate reduce or omit the powdered sugar and use honey or maple syrup as sweeteners.
- Mexican hot chocolate – of course, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper makes the perfect addition to chocolate.
- Dairy-Free or vegan – You can make it with dairy milk of course but you can also make it dairy-free and vegan such as almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk.
- You can also make a few variations of hot chocolate recipes like Kahlua Chocolate Milkshake, Homemade Mocha Frappuccino as well Frozen Hot Chocolate Drink, Christmas chocolate eggnog with it.
More chocolate
- Frozen Hot Chocolate Drink
- Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies
- Recipe for Chocolate Babka
- Rugelach Chocolate Rolls – Chocolate Rugelach Cookies
- Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls
- Coffee Chocolate Cake or Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe
- See all chocolate desserts, chocolate cake
Frequently asked questions
How long will this drink keep?
Once prepared can be kept in the fridge for 5 to 6 days. The drink will get thicker as it cools. You can drink it as old chocolate or reheat it again in the microwave or saucepan to make hot chocolate.
Why does my drink have a burnt taste?
Milk needs to be heated on medium or low heat otherwise the milk protein in the milk can stick to the bottom of the pan and get burnt with high heat. Burnt milk does not taste good.
Can I add alcohol to my drinking chocolate?
Yes, using liquors in hot chocolate is very common and tastes delicious. Try a splash of brandy, some cognac, or even Irish whiskey. See my Kahlua Chocolate Milkshake
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Homemade Hot Chocolate
Print Pin Rate Share by Email Share on FB Save GrowCalories: 182kcal
Adjust Servings Here: 2 servings
Description
Homemade hot chocolate with real chocolate is a great way to warm up from the cold. This chocolate drink is rich, thick, creamy, and chocolaty. Made with my popular homemade hot chocolate mix that uses real chocolate along with the cocoa powder.
Video
Ingredients
Single serve
- 1 cup (250 ml) Milk
- 2 tbsp Hot chocolate mix
Large batch
- 4 cups (1 liter) Milk
- ½ cup (120 g) Hot chocolate mix
Instructions
Small batch
- In a small saucepan add the milk and cocoa mix. Stir to combine. Heat on medium heat and let the milk come to a boil. When the milk boils let simmer for just a minute on low heat. Remove from heat and pour into a mug. Top with grated chocolate or marshmallows.Pro tip – Use a whisk to stir powdered ingredients to prevent lumps. Bring the milk to a boil. This activates the cornstarch in the chocolate mix and makes the hot chocolate thick and creamy.
Large batch
- In a medium saucepan add the milk and cocoa mix. Stir to combine. Heat on medium heat and let the milk come to a boil. When the milk boils let simmer for just a minute on low heat. Remove from heat and pour into a mug. Top with grated chocolate or marshmallows.Pro tip – Use a whisk to stir powdered ingredients to prevent lumps. Bring the milk to a boil. This activates the cornstarch in the chocolate mix and makes the hot chocolate thick and creamy.
Microwave
- You can also use a microwave-safe mug and heat the milk for a minute, add the hot cocoa mix, and continue to heat at 30-second intervals until the milk comes to a boil. Top with grated chocolate and marshmallows.
Conversions Used
1 lb = 453 grams, 1 cup = 240 ml, 1 stick = 113g, 1 tbsp= 15 ml, 1 tsp= 5 ml,
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1– cupCalories: 182– kcalCarbohydrates: 23– gProtein: 8.5– gFat: 7.2– gSaturated Fat: 4.5– gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1.3– gMonounsaturated Fat: 0– gTrans Fat: 0– gCholesterol: 20– mgSodium: 242– mgPotassium: 0– mgFiber: 0.6– gSugar: 21– gVitamin A: 0– IUVitamin C: 0– mgCalcium: 0– mgIron: 0– mg
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
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“Delicious and best recipe ever. Thank you
Thank you
oh my gosh, I LOVE the pajama party tradition. that must have been so much fun to do. i might just ask my kids if they want to do it — with hot chocolate, of course. this recipe sounds amazing!
Thank you Valentina – We do love our Pajama Party and it’s a nice way to snuggle up with the family over the weekends. I’m sure your kids will enjoy it
My kids would love this hot chocolate. Saving to try! Looks so smooth and velvety
Thank you Suzy. Yes, it is really smooth rich and velvety
That looks absolutely delicious and so rich n creamy! I loooove hot chocolate and it’s always so good to have a homemade version at arms length 🙂
Thank you Molly. yes it is smooth rich and creamy! We love hot chocolate too!