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 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.
© Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.
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!
Pam
I think I’ll have to give this a try this weekend! Great post!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Pam! I know you’ll love it 😉
Jacque
Nothing beats homemade! I can’t wait to give this a try.
Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thanks Jacque 🙂
Susan Broughton
This sounds like such a yummy recipe!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Susan 🙂 It’s delicious, especially this time of year!
Amy Warren
Hey Dawn! It’s been a long time. I must admit I’ve been lurking on your blog for some time now. I’ll make one of your recipes soon 🙂 They all look amazing! The photos in this post are also amazing. You haven’t changed a bit.
Girl Heart Food
Hi Amy! What a pleasant surprise – long time, no talk! Thank you so much…hope all is well with you 🙂
Melissa
I am a hot chocolate fanatic so this post was basically me for me (ha!!). Now as far as favourite Christine movie, while I loooovvvveeeeee your pick, I’m all about the old school version of The Grinch!! There’s something about that big green Grinch that makes me happy at Christmas time!
Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo! Happy to hear that Melissa! Oooooh, that’s a good one too! The ‘new’ one is pretty awesome too! I think I just love too many 😉
Carol
Dawn the photo of you with that comfy sweater and the hot chocolate definitely gets me in the mood for Christmas!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Girl Heart Food
Yay!! Thank you so much! SO happy to hear that! Right back at ya 😉
Kevin | Kevin Is Cooking
This looks lovely as do you my friend! Nice post and photos. First time I had proper hot chocolate was down in Mexico, man that memory stays with me to this day!
Girl Heart Food
You’re too kind, Kevin! I bet that hot chocolate was AMAZING! Thanks so much 🙂
Denise
Creamy melted warm chocolate is heaven. This looks amazing!
Girl Heart Food
Totally! Thanks Denise 🙂
Marissa
This looks so rich and delicious, Dawn! And love seeing your pretty face in the post. xo
Girl Heart Food
Thanks Marissa…you’re too kind 🙂 XO
Ali from Home & Plate
What a rich and decadent drink to enjoy over the holidays. I usually reach for the envelope packet but this looks so easy to make and so much tastier. Especially with the whipped cream. Delish!
Girl Heart Food
It totally is 🙂 And it is super easy not to make! Thank you Ali!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Hooray for a holiday recipe! Homemade hot chocolate is the perfect one to share! I looove homemade chocolate, so much better than the powdered kind and so easy to make, too! Just looking at your cozy pictures is making me want to curl up with a mug by my Christmas tree. Love those festive sprinkles, too! Pinned! Hope your Monday is off to a great start!
Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much, Gayle!! Gotta have those sprinkles 😉 Have an awesome week!
lisa
Well, that hot chocolate looks about as rich and thick as you can get! Here in South Florida (where I’m wearing a pair of shorts and have all the windows open we only have the need to snuggle up on a very rare occasion. It might be worth turning on the air conditioning for this, though.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Lisa! Hahaha…it just might 😉
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
Before I get into the wonder that is this hot chocolate, I have to tell you how much I love your manicure! OH EM GEE it’s so fun! I actually scrolled back up after I passed the picture to look at it again :). OK, the hot chocolate. YESYESYES to drinking this homemade hot chocolate while sitting by a fire and wearing cozy sweaters. If all nights could be just like that I’d be a very happy girl! Have a great week, Dawn!
Girl Heart Food
Hahaha – thank you Kelsie!! High five for all things cozy 😉 Have a great week too!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
Love it! From the fabulous hot chocolate to the great, comfy clothes 🙂 Getting in the holiday spirit, for sure.
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Jennifer! Tis the season 😉
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
I love this post Dawn! So fun to see the blogger behind the blog! I love your sweater, that cute little mug and the hot chocolate! Hot chocolate is my husband’s favorite winter beverage since he does not drink coffee. I’ll be whipping him up some of this for sure! Thanks for sharing and hope you have an awesome week!
Girl Heart Food
Thank you Mary Ann…kind of you to say! Hope you guys enjoy it! Have an awesome week too 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
There’s nothing better than a mug of hot chocolate on a cold winter day…unless it’s homemade hot chocolate! That’s the absolute best! Love that mug too!
Girl Heart Food
I agree! Thanks so much Kathy 🙂