This creamy, rich homemade hot chocolate recipe will warm ya right up! It’s made with a few simple ingredients, including milk, cocoa powder and real dark chocolate. So, get cozy and curl up with this yumminess. Don’t forget your favourite mug and a good holiday movie!
Today I’m bringing you my very first holiday recipe of the season: homemade hot chocolate from scratch!
This festive holiday drink is made in minutes with simple ingredients (that you probably have on hand) and so much better than any store-bought stuff.
It’s sure to be one you’ll enjoy all throughout the holidays (and cold winter months ahead).
What’s your favourite holiday treat? Oh, and favourite holiday movie?
I know it’s corny, but mine is Christmas Vacation. A few years ago my brother gave our whole family those moose punch glasses that are featured in the movie and I LOVE them.
Just the other day, hubby and I were out and about and came across a wine glass version; I’m saving those for Christmas Eve!
How To Make This Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe
Add milk, half-and-half, sugar and salt to a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Warm through until hot and it’s bubbling around the edges (not boiling).
Turn off the heat and whisk in cocoa powder. Then add dark chocolate and whisk until melted.
Pour into your favourite mug (this is essential for the holidays, if you ask me), garnish and enjoy!
Full details are in the recipe card below.
Can I Reheat Hot Chocolate?
Absolutely!
Simply place in a pot and warm through (again, don’t boil), just heat until it bubbles around the edges.
Can I Use Non Dairy?
Yep!
You can replace both the milk and half-and-half with your favourite non dairy, like almond or oat milk.
You may also want to use a dairy-free chocolate and sub the whipped cream with a non dairy whipped cream.
Helpful Tips for Making The Best Hot Chocolate
- Use a heavy-bottomed saucepan and don’t leave it. Whisk, whisk, whisk.
- Use good quality chocolate! Dark chocolate was used here, but you could use milk, if you prefer.
- Chop the chocolate into small chunks so it melts quickly when you add to the hot milk.
- Lighten things up! Replace the half and half with more milk.
- Like things less sweet? Reduce the sugar to taste.
- Of course, whipped cream and sprinkles are totally optional, but they’re so fun for the holidays.
- Prefer not to make your own whipped cream? Use store bought!
- This hot chocolate drink can easily be doubled if serving more than 2 people. It just may take a little longer for the dairy to heat through.
Treat Yourself
Looking for some holiday desserts to go with this homemade hot chocolate? These chocolate mint avocado pudding tarts are always a winne and, of course, buttery shortbread cookies are delicious.
Turn on your favourite holiday movie, put on that fun ugly sweater and sip on this deliciousness! Sound good?
Hope you enjoy this classic Christmas drink as much as we do!
If you make this homemade hot chocolate recipe, be sure to leave a comment below!
Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (With Real Chocolate)
Ingredients
Homemade Hot Chocolate
- 2.5 cups milk, use 3% milk fat or whole milk
- ½ cup half-and-half, or milk
- â…“ cup sugar
- pinch salt
- ¼ cup good quality unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped small (about 56 grams)
Whipped Cream
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Garnish Ideas (optional)
- Chocolate shavings, to taste
- Sprinkles, to taste
Instructions
Homemade Hot Chocolate
- To a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat, add milk, half-and-half, sugar and salt. Stir to combine. Heat until warmed through and bubbling slightly around the edges, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Be careful not to scorch the bottom of the saucepan (the milk).
- Turn off heat and whisk in cocoa powder until smooth and there are no clumps. Whisk in dark chocolate until melted and smooth.
Whipped Cream
- Combine heavy cream, sugar and pure vanilla extract in a mixer and, using a whisk attachment, whisk on medium-high until stiff peaks form. Alternatively, you can place ingredients in a mixing bowl and use a hand mixer (or simply use your favourite store-bought whipped cream).
Assemble
- Divide the hot chocolate into mugs, then top with whipped cream. Garnish with chocolate shavings and sprinkles if you like. Serve and enjoy!
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Mary Bostow
Milk, half and half dark chocolate and coca …this is indulgent enough to be dessert!! Good grief it sounds amazing!
Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thanks Mary 🙂
Karyl Henry
The original Vacation is my all-time favorite of the series, but Christmas Vacation is a close second. I’ve never made my own hot chocolate before, but I love the idea, rather than the packets full of preservatives
Girl Heart Food
That’s a good one too 🙂 Homemade is so much tastier…and it’s too easy not to make it 😉 Thanks Karyl!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
Yum!! This hot chocolate is the PERFECT treat for the holidays. brownies look like the perfect fall dessert. Love the whip and sprinkles!
Girl Heart Food
It sure is 🙂 Thanks Sam!
Julie
This looks so deliciously thick — must be from the melted chocolate. I can’t wait for hot chocolate season!!
Girl Heart Food
Totally! Me too, Julie 🙂
Leslie Haasch
I love hot chocolate so much this time of year, but it kills me to reach for the instant stuff. I definitely need to start making my own – so indulgent!
Girl Heart Food
So much better than store bought! Hope you love it, Leslie 🙂
lauren
Yes please! It looks so warm and festive and cozy. I also seriously love that your mug looks like a nice cozy sweater – i bet it adds to the drinking experience.
Girl Heart Food
It totally does, doesn’t it?? And the mug definitely makes a difference if you ask me 😉 Thanks Lauren!
Anne Murphy
Hot chocolate is always best from scratch! Though I’ve never used both cocoa and chocolate… hmmmm… And your colored sprinkles are so cute – I have to do that sometime, too!
Girl Heart Food
It really is a treat! Thanks Anne – sprinkles make it so fun 🙂
Dominique | Perchance to Cook
Your photos make me think of Christmas and I can not wait! There really is nothing better than homemade hot chocolate. This recipe is getting saved!
Girl Heart Food
Totally! Hope you love it, Dominique 🙂
Kiki Johnson
Awww…you look so cozy with your Christmas sweater, cookies and chocolate! Puts me right in the mood for the holidays! Your hot chocolate is perfect – with both cocoa powder AND real chocolate, just how I like it! What a treat
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Kiki – so sweet!
Kim @ Three Olives Branch
I agree, the sprinkles make it so much fun! It looks delicious, we will be making this all winter long!
Girl Heart Food
Always 😉 Thanks Kim! Hope you love it!
Marisa Franca
There is nothing better than hot chocolate when it’s cold and rainy outside. Perhaps it would be even better when it’s snowing and your nice and cozy in front of the fireplace. You are making me want to hurry and change into my lounging clothes and make that hot chocolate.
Girl Heart Food
Totally!! Love my comfy clothes 😉
Sherri
Love the dark chocolate in this! That shot of the hot chocolate pouring into the mug – OMG! Drooling! Fave Christmas movie is Elf…we even named our daughter Jovie…lol 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Sherri! That’s such a great movie and I just love that you named your daughter after one of the characters – so cute 🙂
Emily Leary
We love to settle down with the kids sharing a cosy throw and watch a movie whilst enjoying a mug of hot chocolate and your recipe looks perfect! I don’t think my daughter would let me get away without the sprinkles!
Girl Heart Food
Haha – sprinkles always makes things more fun 🙂 !
Natalie Browne
Homemade hot chocolate is always so much better than the bought version. This sounds so rich and decadent. Perfect for putting on comfy clothes and cozying up by the fire 🙂
Girl Heart Food
Totally!! Thanks Natalie 🙂
Charlotte
I’m on a big hot chocolate kick of late and this one looks SO perfect for the holidays!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Charlotte 🙂