Name: Homemade Hot Chocolate
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 7 min
Ingredients: 3 cups milk (I used 2%); 1/2 cup half & half; 1/4 cup cocoa powder; 3 Tbsp granulated sugar; pinch of salt; 1/2 cup semi sweet chocolate chips; 1 tsp vanilla extract

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This is a recipe for a creamy (and dreamy!) homemade hot chocolate made with both melted chocolate and cocoa powder. It’s the perfect cozy drink for the winter season, and it’s ready in only a few minutes.

Raise your hand if you love chocolate! (I’ve got both hands raised here!)

Chocolate lovers, this recipe is for us: dreamy homemade hot chocolate that’s extra rich and creamy thanks to a few key ingredient swaps (half & half instead of milk and melted chocolate instead of only cocoa powder).

Hot chocolate is my winter drink of choice, especially if it’s topped with an extra helping of marshmallows, whipped cream, or both (if I’m feeling really decadent—which I am, often. 😆)

While hot chocolate packets are certainly nice and easy, I love the flavor of a truly homemade hot chocolate. And this recipe? It’s not much more complicated than hot chocolate out of a packet. Promise. You’ll have a steaming mug of hot chocolate in minutes.

Reasons Why I Love This Recipe:

This is such a creamy hot chocolate recipe made with milk! Boxed mix has got nothing on homemade hot chocolate!
It’s made with both chocolate chips and cocoa powder, making it extra, extra rich. Plus, it’s loaded with chocolate flavor.
You can easily cut this recipe in half and have a homemade hot chocolate recipe for one!
It’s super versatile. You can use milk, heavy cream, half and half, etc. You can also add in other flavors too, like peppermint extract, a dollop of Nutella, ground cinnamon, etc.

Now let’s talk specifics. Homemade Hot Chocolate Ingredients:

milk: you can use whole milk, 2%, or skim milk. My go-to is 2%, because it’s not too thick or too thin when mixed with half & half.
half & half
cocoa powder: I use unsweetened cocoa powder (Hershey’s cocoa powder, Ghirardelli, or Rodelle are my go-to favorite cocoa powders)
chocolate chips: you can also use chopped chocolate instead of chips
vanilla extract
salt
sugar

This is a stovetop hot chocolate recipe, which means the entire drink is made in a pot on the stove. Cooking it on the stove helps everything combine together as it warms up, ensuring you don’t have any clumps of chocolate

How To Make Hot Chocolate On The Stove:

Mix Ingredients: Over med-low heat, you whisk the cocoa powder, sugar and salt with milk/half & half mixture. It will take a little bit of time before the cocoa is fully incorporated, but it will eventually whisk in smoothly.
Whisk: You need to whisk constantly while making this, and you need to make sure the milk doesn’t boil. Basically, as long as you keep an eye on this, you won’t be able to mess anything up.
Simmer: Once the milk and cocoa has just come to a simmer, whisk in the chocolate and vanilla extract. Keep whisking until the chocolate is fully melted and the hot chocolate is smooth.
Drink: This recipe should make about 4 cups of hot chocolate (more or less depending upon how big or small your mugs are).

Is Hot Chocolate The Same Thing As Hot Cocoa?

Homemade Hot Chocolate: My understanding is that hot chocolate is melted chocolate mixed with other ingredients like milk, sugar, vanilla extract, etc.

Homemade Hot Cocoa: Hot cocoa, on the other hand, is made from cocoa powder (which is not the same as hot cocoa packets) that is mixed with other ingredients, such as milk, sugar, etc.

However, where I’m from, we use these pretty interchangeably and refer to anything that’s chocolate and hot as hot chocolate or hot cocoa. And in the case of today’s recipe, I refer to it as Hot Chocolate, and it’s a combination of both cocoa powder and melted chocolate.

I love making hot chocolate from scratch because there are plenty of variations you can do, and plenty of substitutions you can make if you’re out of ingredients. This is a classic hot chocolate recipe so it’s the perfect base to add in any extra flavors and toppings.

Variations and Substitutions:

Liquid: You can use milk (I suggest 2% or whole milk), half & half, or heavy cream (it’ll be extra, extra rich!). You an add in a splash of coffee creamer, a pinch of coffee, or even chocolate milk.
Dairy Substitions: You can use a dairy free alternative! I have found almond milk to be the best flavor and texture.
Chocolate: Use any flavor you like! Want it extra rich and a little less sweet? Use dark chocolate or bittersweet chocolate. Want it extra sweet? Use semi-sweet chocolate or milk chocolate.
Flavors: Looking for Mexican hot chocolate? Add in some cinnamon and a little heat (if desired). Need a mint hot chocolate fix? Add in some crushed peppermints, or peppermint extract. You can add in caramel, mocha sauce, raspberry sauce, etc. Or, you can even add in a dollop of Nutella or peanut butter!