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You are here: Home / Recipes / Drinks

The Best Homemade Hot Chocolate

By Susie Weinrich · Date Dec 7, 2021· 2 Comments · May contain affiliate links.

hot chocolate in a mug with marshmallows and cocoa on top
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This Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe is super creamy and rich with chocolate flavor, way better than a store bought powder mix. It is made with chocolate chips, milk, powdered sugar, powdered milk and cocoa. It mixes together on the stove top in minutes. Load it up with some whipped cream, marshmallows, and a dusting of cocoa powder. It will be the best hot chocolate you have ever had!

hot chocolate in a mug with marshmallows and cocoa on top

If you love all things Hot Chocolate, then you will love this Peppermint Hot Chocolate and these Hot Cocoa Cookies!

For a fun boozy adult hot cocoa, pop over to this recipe RumChata Hot Chocolate.

Table of Contents hide
1 Why it’s So GOOD!
2 Ingredients
3 How To Make Homemade Hot Chocolate
4 Hot Chocolate Toppings and Mix-In’s
5 Making it Boozy
6 Make Ahead
7 More Recipes Perfect for Cold Nights!
8 Did you make this recipe?
9 Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe

Why it’s So GOOD!

  • It has the perfect amount of sweetness, enough to enhance the chocolate flavor but not too much to be overwhelming.
  • The semi-sweet chocolate and cocoa powder lend the perfect rich chocolate flavor somewhere between milk and dark.
  • Customize the toppings with whatever you like.
  • This homemade hot chocolate blows the socks off the powder mix you get at the store. Promise!
  • It warms your bones on a snowy day, perfect after a day of playing in the snow. (and if you have lots of snow DEFINITELY make this SNOW ICE CREAM!!!)

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you need to make Homemade Hot Chocolate, plus some tips on a few ingredients:

ingredients on a table to make hot chocolate
Clockwise: powdered milk, powdered sugar, chocolate chips, unsweetened cocoa powder, and whole milk.

Chocolate Chips – I recommend using semi-sweet chocolate chips . They are sweet enough to give your drink a rich chocolatey flavor. You can also try dark chocolate. However I think milk chocolate chips may be too sweet here.

Cocoa Powder – Make sure to buy 100% cocoa, unsweetened cocoa powder. You will find it in the baking aisle.

Powdered Milk– You will usually find this in the baking aisle. It will be in a box or canister.

Milk– I recommend using whole milk to make a creamier hot cocoa, but 2% will definitely work too.

How To Make Homemade Hot Chocolate

In a small saucepan warm the milk over medium-low heat.

In a separate bowl whisk together the dry milk, cocoa powder and powder sugar.

homemade hot cocoa mix in a bowl

Whisk it into the warm milk, until it is completely mixed in.

Now add the chocolate chips and stir until they are melted in.

homemade hot chocolate in a saucepan

Remove from the heat and pour into mugs.

This recipe will fill two full mugs completely, or you can fill three mugs about ⅔ and fill the rest with toppings.

Hot Chocolate Toppings and Mix-In’s

There is nothing better than a hot cup of hot chocolate topped with all your favorite toppings.

For me, I love mini marshmallows that have melted half way into the hot cocoa and have a left a creamy coating across the top.

Here are some other options:

  • Fresh Whipped Cream
  • Marshmallows
  • Marshmallow Bits
  • Candy Canes
  • Cocoa Powder
  • A drop of peppermint extract adds a fun flavor! (pop over to this Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe!)

Making it Boozy

If you are serving adults that would love a little booze added to their hot chocolate, here are some liquors that will be delicious added to your cocoa:

  • Peppermint schnapps
  • Bailey’s Irish Cream
  • Rumchata (Cinnamon and Cream)
  • Kahlua
  • Whipped Cream Vodka
  • Marshmallow Vodka
  • Fireball (Cinnamon)
  • Chocolate Liqueur

Add any one of these when the hot cocoa comes off the heat. Start with 3 oz. and then taste to see if you would like to add more.

If some adults want something a little stronger, pop over to this recipe for a Tequila Hot Toddy!

overhead view of mugs of hot chocolate and cookies

Make Ahead

You can absolutely make this mix ahead, then it will be ready when you come in from a cold night or snowy day and are ready to warm up with a nice hot drink!

Simply mix together the cocoa, powdered sugar, powdered milk and chocolate chips. Keep in a sealed container at room temp for a week or two.

Whisk the mix into 3 cups of hot milk when you are ready.

More Recipes Perfect for Cold Nights!

  • a bowl of Instant Pot Beef and Barley Soup
    Instant Pot Beef & Barley Stew
  • two bowls of chicken noodle soup for kids with legos and crackers around the table
    Chicken Noodle Soup for Kids
  • hot toddy made with tequila in a stemmed glass
    Tequila Hot Toddy
  • Hot cocoa cookies in stacks on brown parchment paper
    Easy Hot Cocoa Cookies

Susie leaning on the kitchen counter

💛💛💛💛💛

Did you make this recipe?

I would love to hear your review, especially if you have tips and tricks to add! Pop down to the comment section and connect with me

Rate This Recipe→
a white mug with hot chocolate dripping down the sides and filled with hot cocoa topped with marshmallows

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe

A deluxe recipe for Hot Chocolate that is creamy, perfectly sweet (but not too sweet) and full of chocolate flavor. Load it up with your favorite cocoa toppings!
LISTEN TO THE AUDIO RECIPE WITH THE PLAYER BELOW.
5 from 2 votes
Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 3 cups
Calories: 597kcal
Author: Susie Weinrich

Equipment

  • whisk
  • saucepan or pot

Ingredients

  • 3 cups whole milk
  • ¼ cup powdered milk
  • ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoon powdered sugar
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions
 

  • In a small saucepan over medium low heat, warm the 3 cups milk.
    3 cups whole milk
  • Meanwhile, whisk together the powdered milk, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar.
    ¼ cup powdered milk, ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 3 tablespoon powdered sugar
  • Slowly whisk the cocoa mixture into the warm milk until it is smooth and fully combined.
  • Pour the chocolate chips in and stir until they are fully melted.
    1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • Remove from the heat and serve!
  • Top with all your favorite hot cocoa toppings: mini marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, cocoa powder, marshmallow bits….

Recipe Tips and Notes:

Powdered Milk can usually be found in the baking aisle at your local grocery store. 
To Make Ahead: Stir together the cocoa powder, dry milk, powdered sugar and chocolate chips. Store in a sealed container for up to 2 weeks. 
To serve warm 3 cups of milk and whisk everything in.
To Make Boozy: Stir in a little liqueur or liquor for the adults, just like this RumChata Hot Chocolate. Stir it in once the hot chocolate is removed from the heat, Start with 3 oz., taste, and see if you want to add more. Try any of these spirits:
  • Peppermint schnapps
  • Bailey’s Irish Cream
  • Rumchata – Rumchata Hot Chocolate Recipe
  • Kahlua
  • Whipped Cream Vodka
  • Marshmallow Vodka
  • Fireball (Cinnamon)
  • Chocolate Liqueur
Mint: for a minty twist pop over to this Peppermint Hot Chocolate.
Did you make this recipe?Connect with me and let me know by commenting below!
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Serving: 1serving | Calories: 597kcal | Carbohydrates: 59g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 152mg | Potassium: 914mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 525IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 419mg | Iron: 5mg

About Susie Weinrich

Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

Comments

    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. Michelle Groves says

    March 27, 2022 at 8:20 pm

    5 stars
    Excellent recipe if you’re not worried about calories! I didn’t have chocolate chips, but I did have Hershey’s Special Dark chocolate syrup. I used 1/2 cup instead of the chocolate chips and it was delicious.

    Reply
    • Susie Weinrich says

      March 28, 2022 at 8:55 am

      Great sub! I’m so glad it turned out with the syrup. (calories are not counted when enjoying hot chocolate – LOL)

      Reply
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Meet The Author:

Susie Weinrich is a professional food photographer and recipe developer. Her thoroughly tested recipes and step-by-step guides give readers confidence in the kitchen.

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