Starbucks White Hot Chocolate Recipe

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On a cold day you will love this quick and easy recipe on how to make a Starbucks White Hot Chocolate recipe at home. Save time and money during the winter months by making this fast copycat white hot chocolate recipe, it ranks up there with the best things in life. 

When cooler weather settles in, my family is ready for my hot chocolate for two, it is the best hot chocolate or try this Christmas Morning Chai Latte recipe, or this easy Wassail recipe and this seasonal Starbucks Eggnog Latte. My hubby and boys go nuts over it and I modeled this White Hot Chocolate after this recipe.

I developed this recipe as part of Chocolate Week this week, be sure to pop down to the end of the post for all the amazing recipes! And be sure to check out my other recipes as part of this week, like Ferrero Rocher Ice Cream and Crockpot Peanut Clusters.

Simple Ingredients

Full recipe with measurements are in the printable recipe card at the end of this post. 

• White Chocolate | Since white chocolate is the main ingredient you want to splurge on a high-quality white chocolate bar or chips (I like Guittard, it is non-GMO and Gluten-free, also love Ghirardelli, or Lindt) All of these have a higher percentage of cocoa butter. Technically a white chocolate bar is better, as it’s more pure, however for ease, I use chips, since that’s usually what I have on hand.
• Vanilla | Use real vanilla extract or try my homemade vanilla extract, I actually used Bourbon Vanilla Extract.
• Milk | I use whole milk, you could also use half and half or lower percentages of milk, even skim milk if that’s your thing, for this hot cocoa recipe.
• Salt | Yes! A pinch of salt brings out the flavor immensely! I love using flaky sea salt

What is in a Starbucks White Hot Chocolate?

Are you ready for it? Milk, Fontana White Chocolate Mocha Sauce (which contains Sugar, Condensed Skim Milk, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, Natural Flavor, Salt, Potassium Sorbate, Monoglycerides), Whipped Cream (Cream, Milk, Mono And Diglycerides, Carrageenan), Vanilla Syrup (Sugar, Water, Natural Flavors, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid).

This White Hot Chocolate is so much better, easier and a decadent drink without all of the unpronounceable ingredients.

How to Make Starbucks White Hot Chocolate

This white hot chocolate recipe could not be easier! Pretend like you are a Starbucks employee and make this coffee shop speciality drink the easy way! Can you heat milk? Throw in a few other ingredients and stir? You’ve got this!

In a small saucepan, pour in milk and heat over medium-low heat until steaming, but not boiling. 

Remove from heat, add white chocolate to the warm milk and let sit for 30 seconds, then whisk into the mixture. Return to low heat, add vanilla and flaky sea salt, stirring until smooth. 

Heat until hot, but not boiling, serve immediately, see below for ways to top this delicious drink. 

Frequently Asked Questions

White Hot Chocolate Toppings

• Whipped Cream |  from a can, homemade or frozen.
• Whipped Cream | from a can, homemade or frozen.
• Marshmallows | the classic way to top white hot chocolate! Make homemade marshmallows <– my friend Tasia’s recipe. Or try mini dried marshmallows. 
• Marshmallow Creme or Fluff | A generous dollop of this will make you swoon!
• Naked | this would be my youngest son’s preference, keep the marshmallows on the side, maybe drizzle a little chocolate syrup on the sides of the glass.
• Fresh Grated Nutmeg | Nutmeg, like on eggnog, enhances the flavors of white chocolate.
• Cocoa Powder | Sprinkle with a light dusting of cocoa powder.
• Chocolate Jimmies | These are my favorite all natural jimmies or try white jimmies. 
• White or Dark Chocolate Curls | You can make your own, by using a room temperature bar of good chocolate (white or dark), and using a vegetable peeler, pull towards you on the side of the bar, creating a curl. 

Variations & Substitutions

Dress your White Hot Chocolate recipe up for any season!

• Starbucks Peppermint white hot chocolate | Add a ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the milk mixture and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of the whipped cream, definitely serve with a candy cane hooked on the glass.
• Valentine’s Day White Hot Chocolate | Add a drop or two of all-natural red food coloring to make your white hot chocolate pink, sprinkle pink and red hearts on top. 
• Godiva White Hot Chocolate | This adult version of white hot chocolate uses Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur (or try making your own, a great gift!). Add 1-2 ounces when adding the white chocolate chips, serve with real whipped cream, white chocolate curls and a dusting of black cocoa for a dramatic drink. 
• St. Patrick’s Day Hot Chocolate Recipe | Two ideas here; a kid and an adult version:
  • Kid Version | Add a drop or two of all-natural green food coloring to the hot milk mixture. Serve with whipped cream or Fluff and sprinkle with edible gold stars and green sugar or jimmies. 
  • Adult Version | Swirl 2 ounces of Irish Cream Liqueur into the warmed milk when adding the white chocolate pieces; top with whipped cream and a generous sprinkle of fresh nutmeg and green jimmies.

Crock Pot White Hot Chocolate

White hot chocolate for a crowd!

Increase milk to 6 cups, 9 ounces white chocolate (chopped or chips) and 2-3 teaspoons vanilla extract, plus 2-3 pinches of salt. Add white chocolate chips to the crock pot, pour in the milk, stir in vanilla and salt.

Heat on high for about 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring well after the first 30 minutes. When ready to serve, turn the crock pot to warm, stir or whisk to combine and serve. Serves 6-8, feel free to double for more people.

Be sure to serve with individual bowls of toppings like crushed candy canes, jimmies, whipped cream, marshmallows and your favorite sauces.

Storing & Reheating

Store any leftovers in fridge, up to 3 days. To reheat, place in saucepan and heat over low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally.

I hope you loved this Starbucks White Hot Chocolate Recipe — if you did, would you share your creation on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest? And be sure to comment below!

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Starbucks White Hot Chocolate Recipe

Author: Kathleen Pope

5 from 12 votes

A quick and easy recipe on how to make a Starbucks White Hot Chocolate recipe at home. Save time and money, by making this fast copycat white hot chocolate recipe in the comfort of your own home. 

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Print Save Saved! Pin Recipe Rate

Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 7 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 2 -3 Servings

Calories 236 kcal

Equipment

• ▢
  Bean Envy Milk Frother for Coffee
• ▢
  Guittard Baking Au Lait Chip, Vanilla, White chocolate, 12 Oz
• ▢
  Simply Calphalon Nonstick 4-Quart Saucepan

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• ▢ 3 ounces high-quality white chocolate, chips, or chopped bar* a scant ½ cup
• ▢ ½-1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, try Bourbon Vanilla Extract
• ▢ 2 cups milk, I use whole milk, but you can use half & half, 2% or other favorite
• ▢ 1 pinch of salt, I like flaky sea salt for this

Topping Ideas

• ▢ See notes, simple and delicious with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

Instructions

 

• In a small saucepan, pour in milk and heat over medium-low heat until steaming, but not boiling. 
• Remove from heat, add white chocolate to the warm milk and let sit for 30 seconds, then whisk into the mixture. Return to low heat, add vanilla and flaky sea salt, stirring until smooth. 
• Heat until hot, but not boiling, serve immediately, see below for ways to top this delicious drink. 
• Store any leftovers in fridge, up to 3 days. To reheat, place in saucepan and heat over low heat until warmed through, stirring occasionally.

✱ Kathleen’s Tips

A note about chocolate. Since there are so few ingredients in this recipe, you want high-quality ingredients, so that they shine, especially the white chocolate. I used Guittard, which is non-GMO and Gluten-Free, with no extra additives. But I have also used Lindt and Ghirardelli as well! Bottom line, buy the best you can afford.

Topping Suggestions

• Whipped Cream |  from a can, homemade or frozen.
• Marshmallows | the classic way to top white hot chocolate! Make homemade marshmallows <– my friend Tasia’s recipe. Or try mini dried marshmallows. 
• Marshmallow Creme or Fluff | A generous dollop of this will make you swoon!
• Naked | Keep the marshmallows on the side, maybe drizzle a little chocolate sauce on the sides of the glass.
• Fresh Grated Nutmeg | Nutmeg, like on eggnog, enhances the flavors of white chocolate.
• Cocoa Powder | Sprinkle with a light dusting of cocoa powder.
• Chocolate Jimmies | These are my favorite all natural jimmies or try white jimmies. 
• White or Dark Chocolate Curls | You can make your own, by using a room temperature bar of good chocolate (white or dark), and using a vegetable peeler, pull towards you on the side of the bar, creating a curl. 

Variations

• Peppermint White Hot Chocolate | Add a ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the milk mixture and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of the whipped cream, definitely serve with a candy cane hooked on the glass.
• Valentine’s Day White Hot Chocolate | Add a drop or two of all-natural red food coloring to make your white hot chocolate pink, sprinkle pink and red hearts on top. 
• Godiva White Hot Chocolate | This adult version of white hot chocolate uses Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur (or try making your own, a great gift!). Add 1-2 ounces when adding the white chocolate chips, serve with real whipped cream, white chocolate curls and a dusting of black cocoa for a dramatic drink. 
• St. Patrick’s Day Hot Chocolate Recipe | Two ideas here; a kid and an adult version:
• Kid Version | Add a drop or two of all-natural green food coloring to the hot milk mixture. Serve with whipped cream or Fluff and sprinkle with edible gold stars and green sugar or jimmies. 
• Adult Version | Swirl 2 ounces of Irish Cream Liqueur into the warmed milk when adding the white chocolate pieces; top with whipped cream and a generous sprinkle of fresh nutmeg and green jimmies.

Crock Pot White Hot Chocolate

Increase milk to 6 cups, 9 ounces white chocolate (chopped or chips) and 2-3 teaspoons vanilla extract, plus 2-3 pinches of salt. Add white chocolate chips to the crock pot, pour in the milk, stir in vanilla and salt.

Heat on high for about 1 hour 30 minutes, stirring well after the first 30 minutes. When ready to serve, turn the crock pot to warm, stir or whisk to combine and serve. Serves 6-8, feel free to double for more people.

Nutrition

Serving: 2 Calories: 236 kcal Carbohydrates: 25 g Protein: 7 g Fat: 12 g Saturated Fat: 8 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 4 g Cholesterol: 19 mg Sodium: 146 mg Sugar: 25 g

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Fresh Cooky is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

About Kathleen Pope

Recipe Innovator | Food Photographer | Food Writer

Hi, I’m Kathleen Pope. Here at The Fresh Cooky you will find easy, mostly from-scratch, trusted recipes for all occasions. From speedy dinners to tasty desserts, with easy step-by-step instructions. I am here to help teach you how to make mouthwatering recipes without spending hours in the kitchen. Read more about Kathleen here.