Hot Chocolate is a rich and creamy drink made with fresh dark Chocolate, cocoa powder, and milk. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder are the main ingredients that deliver a flavor-packed treat. Here I have shared the recipe for Hot Chocolate which is homemade with easy step-by-step instructions for you to try at home. I have also shared a detailed video to show the recipe visually clear. This Homemade Hot Chocolate is one of the best drinks to enjoy on cold winter days or when a chocolate craving hits you!
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What is Hot Chocolate?
Hot Chocolate is a rich, thick, and creamy treat made with dark chocolate, cocoa powder, sweetener, and milk. The dark chocolate and cocoa powder are melted in milk along with some sweetener and topped with marshmallows or heavy whipping cream.
This melted chocolate drink is one of the best ways to enjoy chocolate when it is homemade. Because you know how much sugar goes inside your recipe and you have full control over it.
I have used maple syrup in my recipe but feel free to use your favorite sweetener to elevate the sweetness. For a vegan-friendly Hot Chocolate, use your favorite non-dairy milk to enjoy this treat.
Ingredients
The ingredients you will need to make this Hot Chocolate is simple and it should be easily accessible in most food supermarkets. Let's see what we will need to make this decadent drink.
- Dark Chocolate - Dark chcocolate gives the rich flavor and taste to this recipe and you can use milk to intense dark chocolate according to your preferences
- Cocoa Powder - I have used unsweetned cocoa powder, you caan also use store brought instnt hot cocoa mix for this recipe. But make sure to skip the sweetner as it already has suagar in it
- Milk - Whole milk gives the rich thick texture to the drink but for more thick and creaminess you use half n half or heavy cream
- Maple Syrup - I have used Maple syrup here, and could also use sweetner of your choice
How to make Homemade Hot Chocolate?
To make this drink, I have used whole milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, 72% intense dark chocolate, and maple syrup as sweeteners. You could also use sugar and dark chocolate of your choice. For a vegan-friendly version, feel free to use non-dairy milk like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
Following are the high-level instructions to make this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and video, please check out the recipe card below.
- Whisk in Cocoa Powder - In a saucepan with medium heat, pour milk and add in the cocoa powder. Whisk it until the cocoa powder mix evenly with the milk. It may take about 3 to 5 minutes
- Pour in the Maple Syrup - Now add in the maple syrup and mix well
- Add in the Dark Chocolate - Add in the chopped dark chocolate, and whisk well until it melts.Make sure to keep the heat in medium for entire process as the drink may burn if it is in high heat. Since I love the drink to be slightly thick, I waited until the drink reaches that consisitency. You could check the step-by-step photos below for reference
- Remove and Serve - Remove from heat and wait until the temperature to go down which is perfect drinking. Top with some marshmallows,or heavy whippping cream and some chcolate syrup or chocolate shavings for a decadent treat
Variations
- Store-brought - Eventhough Homemade Hot Chocolate is the best version to make, you could also feel free to use storebought cocoa mix powder to make this recipe. But make sure to skip the sweetners as they are already have sugar in it
- Cinnamon - You could aslo sprinkle some cinnamon powder to enjoy the warm flavor
- Half n Half - For even more richer and creamier Hot Chocolate, you could also use half n half or heavy cream
Tips
- For thick and creamy texture - I have used full-fat cows milk to make this recipe which gives a thicker and creamier drink but you can also feel free to use half n half or heavy cream
- Rich Taste and Flavor - Dark chocolate and cocoa powder used here gives the rich taste and flavor to your hot chocolate
- Vegan Options - You could also use almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, cashew milk or any other vegan friendly milk to make this recipe
- Serving - Top this drink with heavy whipping cream, or marshmallow with some shaved chocolates for a decadent treat
Calories
The Homemade Hot Chocolate that I have shared here has 385 calories per serving and it is just an estimation by the nutrition calculator. The calories may vary if you add optional ingredients like whipping cream, marshmallows, or extra add-ins. You could also find the detailed nutritional information in the recipe card below.
Storage Suggestions
You can store this drink for a day in the refrigerator in an airtight container. And make sure to reheat them in medium heat to enjoy the real flavor and taste of the drink.
Serving Suggestions
Top this Homemade Hot Chocolate with marshmallows or heavy whipping cream, and shaved chocolate for a decadent fancy treat. You could also sprinkle some cocoa powder or chocolate syrup to make a visual treat.
You could find similar recipes below and more at Chocolate Drinks
- Mexican Hot Chocolate
- White Hot Chocolate
- Hot Cocoa
- Frozen Hot Chocolate
- Chocolate Milkshake
- Mocha Coffee
Hot Chocolate Recipe video
I have also shared a detailed video to make this Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe below, which I hope will help you to make a rich and creamy gourmet-style drink at home. For your reference, this recipe is also available in story format.
📖 Recipe
Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cup Milk
- ¼ cup Dark Chocolate, shredded or chopped
- 3 tbsp Cocoa Powder, Unsweetened
- 2 tbsp Maple Syrup
- Whipping Cream, optional
- Marshmallows, optional
Instructions
To make Homemade Hot Chocolate
- In a saucepan with medium heat, pour milk and add cocoa powder
- Whisk it until the cocoa powder is completely mixed well with milk
- Pour in the maple syrup and give a nice mix
- Add the chopped dark chocolate and whisk until the chocolate is completely melted
- Now using a spatula stir on and off until the mixture turns slightly thick. Stirring also helps to avoid burning the drink. Remove the Hot Chocolate from the stove and it is now ready for you to taste and enjoy. Allow it to rest for a while to bring down the desired drinking temperature
- Pour the Hot Chocolate into a serving glass and top with whipping cream or marshmallows
To Serve
- Serve this rich Homemade Hot Chocolate on cold winter days or when you crave for it
Video
Notes
- For thick and creamy texture - I have used full-fat cows milk to make this recipe which gives a thicker and creamier drink but you can also feel free to use half n half or heavy cream
- Vegan Options - You could also use almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or any other vegan-friendly milk to make this recipe
- Rich Taste and Flavor - Dark chocolate and cocoa powder used here gives the rich taste and flavor to your hot chocolate
- Serving - Top this drink with heavy whipping cream, or marshmallow with some shaved chocolates for a decadent treat
Nutrition
FAQ
Hot Chocolate is a classic melted chocolate drink made with dark chocolate, cocoa powder, milk, and sweetener. It is one of the popular and best-tasting drinks served as a treat during cold winter days.
No, it is made with high sugar ingredients like chocolate, cocoa powder, whole milk, sweetener and usually topped with heavy whipping cream and syrups. But to make a healthy version, you can replace the full-fat milk with almond milk or skimmed milk, skip the whipping cream and use a touch of sugar.
Yes, you can use store-bought mix to make this recipe but make sure to skip the sweetener from the recipe list, as the readymade mix already has sugar in it.
The Homemade Hot Chocolate that I have shared here has 385 calories per serving and it is just an estimation by the nutrition calculator. The calories may vary if you add optional ingredients like whipping cream, marshmallows, or extra add-ins. You could also find detailed nutritional information in the recipe card above.
I hope you enjoyed the recipe that I have shared here and I would love to hear from you on how it turned out for you. Please let me know.
If you have any other questions, feel free to post them in the comment section below and I will try to get back to you as soon as possible.
Enjoy!
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