Homemade Hot Chocolate
Homemade Hot Chocolate is a creamy, rich, and comforting drink made from scratch using simple pantry ingredients. Perfect to warm you up on chilly days, it offers a velvety texture and deep chocolate flavor that you can customize with various mix-ins and toppings. Ideal for cozy moments, gatherings, or as a delicious treat for all ages throughout the winter season.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Dry Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons sugar (brown or white, adjust to taste)
- Pinch of salt
Wet Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk (or any milk/dairy alternative)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Add-ins & Toppings
- Cinnamon, nutmeg, or chili powder (for spiced hot chocolate)
- 1 shot espresso (for mocha style)
- Almond, oat, or coconut milk (dairy-free versions)
- Drops of peppermint extract (for minty flavor)
- Dollop of cream or marshmallow fluff (for extra creaminess)
- Marshmallows, whipped cream, cocoa or cinnamon powder, chocolate shavings (for garnish)
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt thoroughly to ensure even sweetness and rich chocolate flavor in every sip.
- Heat the Milk: Pour the milk into a saucepan and warm over medium heat until steaming but not boiling, preserving its creaminess.
- Whisk in Cocoa Mixture: Gradually whisk the dry ingredients into the warm milk, stirring constantly until everything dissolves smoothly without lumps.
- Add Vanilla Extract: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract to infuse warmth and complexity into your hot chocolate.
- Serve and Enjoy: Pour your homemade hot chocolate into mugs, add your favorite toppings, and savor every cozy, delicious sip.
Notes
- Use premium quality cocoa powder to elevate the flavor.
- Heat milk gently; avoid boiling to keep it smooth and creamy.
- Whisk constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
- Adjust sweetness gradually according to taste.
- Experiment with different toppings like marshmallows, cinnamon sticks, or whipped cream for added texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approximately 8 ounces)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: hot chocolate, homemade hot chocolate, cocoa drink, winter beverage, cozy drink, chocolate recipe, dairy-free hot chocolate, spiced hot chocolate, mocha hot chocolate