A simple and delicious homemade hot chocolate recipe for how to make hot chocolate with chocolate chips, this all-natural Hot Chocolate for two (or four or more) uses common pantry ingredients. PLUS, how to make these amazing whipped cream bombs!
We all need a simple, go-to hot cocoa recipe, right? My hubby and boys are huge hot chocolate fans, thus I have been on a mission to create the perfect hot chocolate recipe that yields a rich, chocolatey cup of steaming hot cocoa!
If you are all about hot drinks, you might enjoy our Chai Tea Latte, Hot Buttered Rum or this calming Golden Milk Tea Mix.
Homemade Hot Chocolate
I do not know how many times I have gone to my pantry to discover we are out of hot chocolate mix. And yes, I use a mix! Guilty as charged, though I try for all natural, organic. But they still contain lot of sugar!
This homemade hot chocolate recipe is so easy to whip up, it might have you putting the box of Hot Cocoa mix back on the shelf.
Enter this delicious, homemade hot chocolate recipe that uses chocolate chips to make it extra chocolatey and rich. Kind of a sipping chocolate if you will.
Why You Will Love This Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate
- EASY | Just 6 pantry ingredients makes this so easy, 7 minutes is all you need.
- CHOCOLATEY | By adding chocolate chips, you reduce the amount of sugar needed, adding chocolatey richness and flavor to the hot cocoa.
- TWO, FOUR, MORE | Whether you are making for two, four or more, this recipe easily doubles, triples and more!
- REHEATED | Made too much, or just need a few ounces to sip on? It stores great in the fridge for up to 5 days, simple warm on the stovetop until warm (not boiling).
How Do You Make Hot Chocolate from Scratch?
It’s so very simple, let’s start with the 6 basic pantry ingredients you will need:
RECIPE INGREDIENTS
- COCOA POWDER | Dutch processed <–(this is my favorite) is a good one to use here in this recipe, but also try regular, and dark cocoa powders as well.
- WHOLE MILK | I like using whole milk in general, the higher fat content lends a richness and also binds the chocolate and cocoa powder together. You could even use half and half!
- SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE | I use chocolate chips, since I typically have them on hand, you can also chop chocolate (about 3-3 ½ oz). I have also used 60% cocoa chocolate chips.
- SUGAR | This is a taste preference, I typically use about 2 tablespoons, increase or decrease based on taste. I always use all-natural cane sugar in my baking.
- SEA SALT | Or table salt, a finer salt is more preferable in this recipe so it dissolves easily.
- VANILLA EXTRACT | adds amazing depth, flavor and balance to the hot cocoa, I use regular or my homemade bourbon vanilla for a special cup.
How to Make Hot Chocolate With Chocolate Chips
- Start by whisking together your cocoa powder and water in a small saucepan.
- Turn heat to medium-high, pour in milk, whisking to combine. Whisk occasionally, but do not let the mixture boil, just heat until steaming.
- Reduce heat to low, adding chocolate chips. Let stand for 30 seconds until chocolate is melted, then whisk or stir to combine.
- Add sugar a tablespoon at a time until desired sweetness acheived. Add a little salt (less for sweeter hot chocolate). Continue stirring until warmed through. Stir in vanilla extract and serve.
WAYS TO TOP HOT CHOCOLATE
- Top with whipping cream; from a can, homemade or frozen.
- Marshmallows | the classic way to top hot chocolate! Make homemade marshmallows <– my friend Tasia’s recipe.
- Naked | this would be my youngest sons preference, keep the marshmallows on the side, maybe drizzle a little chocolate sauce on the sides of the glass.
- Cocoa Powder | Sprinkle with a light dusting of cocoa powder
- Chocolate Jimmies | Why not? These are my favorite all natural jimmies.
Get the Look
Hot chocolate or any hot drink looks amazing in a glass mug.
- GLASS MUGS | In my photos, I used two types of glass mugs, both are favorites. This one is double walled, keeping the hot drink hotter and I love the shape of this one, but the heat definitely comes through, though the handle stays cool.
- CHOCOLATE BOMB MOLDS | Use those silicone chocolate bomb molds for something else, I whipped up some fresh heavy whipping cream and scooped into molds and froze, peel away and top hot cocoa.
- WHIPPED CREAM BOMBS| I love these ice cube sphere molds, I filled them with whipped cream (not canned) and froze overnight, simply run under warm water for a few seconds and release from mold. Makes a whipped cream snowball or hot chocolate bomb shaped whipped cream. How to in the recipe card below.
- CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE | A little chocolate drizzle goes a long way to add that restaurant quality, gourmet hot chocolate look.
- MARSHMALLOWS | Of course! I used all natural marshmallows.
How to Make Whipped Cream Bombs
- Using an ice cube mold or even small tupperware, or use those silicone chocolate bomb molds you bought the hot chocolate bomb craze.
- Whip real whipping cream until thick, add a couple of tablespoons of powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla, continue whipping until really thick (almost butter).
- Using a spoon or spatula, scoop and smooth whipped cream into desired mold, freeze for at least 6 hours, preferable overnight.
- Run under warm water for 30-60 seconds to release from mold, place in mug and pour hot chocolate over the top or place on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, be sure you are using a sugar free or really low sugar chocolate (the more bitter, the less sugar). Then substitute your favorite sugar substitute; Monk Sugar, Stevia, etc. according to your taste.
Yes, this recipe easily doubles and triples. If making for a crowd, either make on stovetop first, adjusting sweetness to taste and bringing to heat, or heat in crockpot slowly adding chocolate the last 30 minutes and stirring until melted.
Yes! Allow to cool to room temperature, refrigerate until ready to reheat.
My preferred method, is to pour into saucepan, bring to steaming over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, being careful not to boil.
Tips
- PREP | Measure ingredients ahead of time, it will make it all come together much quicker.
- DO NOT BOIL | When you allow milk to boil, it will develop a skin and in some cases some separation; so once you start, stick around, it’s done in minutes!
- OTHER MILKS | I have not tried it with less than whole milk, usually the milk fat helps bind it all together, but give it a go with 2%, or plant based milks.
Sharing this week on Weekend Potluck & Meal Plan Monday.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe! Here are a few other rich chocolate recipes you might enjoy!
- Easy Chocolate Loaf Cake
- Chocolate Monkey Bread Recipe {small batch}
- Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake + Bundtlets (Nothing Bundt Cakes Copycat)
- Chocolate Fluffernutter Whoopie Pies
- Mini Chocolate French Silk Pies
- S’mores Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Chocolate Milk Mix (for cold or hot milk) from my friend Chellie
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Delicious Homemade Hot Chocolate
A simple and delicious homemade hot chocolate recipe for how to make hot chocolate with chocolate chips, this all-natural Hot Chocolate for two (or four or more) uses common pantry ingredients.
Ingredients
- 1 ½ tablespoons cocoa powder | I used Dutch Processed cocoa powder
- 4 ½ tablespoons water
- 2 cups whole milk | I used organic whole milk
- ⅓ cup heaping semi-sweet chocolate (chips or chopped chocolate, about 3 oz)
- 1-3 tablespoons granulated sugar | I use all natural cane sugar
- ⅛-¼ teaspoon sea salt | a fine sea salt is better in this recipe
- ½ - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract | also try other extracts, like bourbon vanilla
Instructions
- Start by whisking together your cocoa powder and water in a small saucepan.
Turn heat to medium-high, pour in milk, whisking to combine. Whisk occasionally, but do not let the mixture boil, just heat until steaming. - Reduce heat to low, adding chocolate chips. Let stand for 30 seconds until chocolate is melted, then whisk or stir to combine.
- Add sugar a tablespoon at a time until desired sweetness acheived. Add a little salt (less for sweeter hot chocolate). Continue stirring until warmed through. Stir in vanilla extract and serve.
Notes
How to Top your Hot Chocolate
- Top with whipping cream; from a can, homemade or frozen.
- Marshmallows | the classic way to top hot chocolate! Make homemade marshmallows <-- my friend Tasia's recipe.
- Naked | this would be my youngest sons preference, keep the marshmallows on the side, maybe drizzle a little chocolate sauce of the sides of the glass.
- Cocoa Powder | Sprinkle with a light dusting of cocoa powder
- Chocolate Jimmies | Why not? These are my favorite all natural jimmies.
How to Make Whipped Cream Bombs
- Using an ice cube mold or even small tupperware, or use those silicone chocolate bomb molds you bought.
- Whip real whipping cream until thick, add a couple of tablespoons of powdered sugar and a splash of vanilla, continue whipping until really thick (almost butter).
- Using a spoon or spatula, scoop and smooth whipped cream into desired mold, freeze for at least 6 hours, preferable overnight.
- Run under warm water for 30-60 seconds to release from mold, place in mug and pour hot chocolate over the top or place on top.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2 servingsServing Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 381Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 792mgCarbohydrates: 51gFiber: 2gSugar: 47gProtein: 10g
The nutritional information is estimated and may not be entirely accurate, at times it pulls information for suggestions and options which may increase calories, etc. Nutritional information will change based on used ingredients, quantities used, etc.
ABOUT KATHLEEN
I enjoy sharing easy recipes that are wholesome and delicious. I am fed by my faith, family, friends & food! Welcome to my kitchen! Read more...
Sandra Shaffer
Tuesday 23rd of February 2021
The perfect cup of hot chocolate, and I can't even tell you how much I love the whipped cream bombs. Whipped topping is my favorite and this bomb just lets it linger in the mug a little longer!
Kathleen
Wednesday 24th of February 2021
YAY! Loved hearing this! So glad you loved the whipped cream bombs!
Cheryl
Friday 19th of February 2021
I can't wait to tell my daughter about this recipe! She was looking for a hot chocolate drink. Looks so decadent!
Kathleen
Saturday 20th of February 2021
Ooo so excited Cheryl, hope she loves it!