Description
This homemade hot chocolate recipe is a rich, creamy, and comforting drink made with whole milk, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, and bittersweet chocolate. Perfect for warming up on cold days, it’s topped with homemade whipped cream for an indulgent finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Hot Chocolate
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 6 oz bittersweet chocolate
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For Serving
- Homemade whipped cream
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: Add whole milk, granulated sugar, and unsweetened cocoa powder to a medium saucepan.
- Heat mixture: Heat the mixture over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until it just begins to bubble but does not boil.
- Add chocolate and vanilla: Stir in the bittersweet chocolate and pure vanilla extract, whisking continuously until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Serve: Pour the hot chocolate into 4 small mugs and top each with homemade whipped cream before serving.
Notes
- 6 oz chocolate is equivalent to 1 cup chopped chocolate.
- For creamier hot chocolate, use milk with a higher fat content such as whole milk or half whole milk and half heavy cream.
- For dairy-free versions, substitute whole milk with full-fat coconut milk and use dairy-free chocolate.
- Use pure unsweetened cocoa powder; dark cocoa powder works well for a more intense chocolate flavor.
- Granulated sugar can be replaced with white sugar, organic cane sugar, or coconut sugar depending on preference.
- You can customize flavor by adding other extracts such as peppermint instead of vanilla.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days and reheat gently before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 397 kcal
- Sugar: 36 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
