Description
This homemade hot chocolate is rich, creamy, and made with real chocolate, perfect for cozy holiday gatherings or quiet nights by the fire. It combines cocoa powder, milk, and a blend of semi-sweet and milk chocolate chips for an indulgent treat topped with optional whipped cream, marshmallows, or chocolate shavings.
Ingredients
Scale
Hot Chocolate Base
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 pinch salt
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips
Optional Toppings
- Chocolate shavings
- Whipped cream
- Marshmallows
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Prep cocoa powder: Whisk together 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and 1 pinch salt in a medium saucepan. Gradually add 1/2 cup cold milk, whisking constantly until the cocoa powder is fully dissolved.
- Cook cocoa: Add remaining 3 1/2 cups milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract to the saucepan. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat while whisking constantly. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Add chocolate: Stir in 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/4 cup milk chocolate chips until completely melted. If the chocolate does not melt fully, gently warm the mixture over low heat without boiling to avoid seizing the chocolate.
- Serve: Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and garnish with optional toppings such as whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings, or sprinkles. Serve immediately at the desired temperature.
Notes
- Use whole milk for a rich and creamy texture, but you can substitute with 2% milk for a lighter version.
- Adjust sugar quantity to taste if you prefer a sweeter or less sweet hot chocolate.
- To make it dairy-free, substitute whole milk with almond, oat, or soy milk, and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Prevent chocolate from seizing by not boiling after adding the chocolate chips.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or a dash of chili powder while heating the milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 246 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 71 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.01 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
