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Homemade Hot Chocolate

The ultimate rich and velvety homemade hot chocolate recipe! Made from scratch, this hot cocoa is made with a few basic ingredients that you most likely already have.
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Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Keyword hot chocolate cookies
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings 5 cups hot chocolate

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 cups whole milk
  • 2 cups half and half creamer
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips or morsels milk, semi-sweet, or dark
  • pinch salt

Instructions

Stovetop Hot Chocolate-

  • In a medium-sized saucepan, add all the ingredients for the hot chocolate: cocoa powder, sugar, milk, creamer, vanilla, chocolate chips, and salt.
  • Use a whisk to thoroughly combine the ingredients until cocoa powder is mixed and not floating on top of the milk.
  • Place the saucepan over medium heat. Stir the mixture frequently to prevent the milk from scorching or the chocolate from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Continue heating until all the chocolate has fully melted, and the milk begins to gently simmer or comes to a slight boil around the edges (do not let it come to a rolling boil).
  • Once the mixture is heated through and smooth, remove the saucepan from the heat.
  • Using a ladle, carefully pour the hot chocolate into individual serving cups or mugs.
  • Top your hot cocoa with your favorite toppings, such as whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
  • Serve warm and enjoy!

Crockpot Hot Chocolate-

  • Add all your hot chocolate ingredients to the bowl of a slow cooker: cocoa powder, sugar, milk, creamer, vanilla, chocolate chips, and salt.
  • Use a whisk to vigorously stir everything together, ensuring that the cocoa powder is completely dissolved and no longer floating on top.
  • Cover the crockpot with its lid and set the heat to low for 2-3 hours, or set it to high and cook for 1 hour. Stir the hot chocolate occasionally, especially as it begins to heat up, to ensure the chocolate doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. Keep an eye on the mixture—once the chocolate has fully melted and the milk is hot, it’s ready to serve.
  • Once the hot chocolate is smooth and steaming, give it a final stir. Ladle the hot cocoa into mugs or cups.
  • Add your favorite toppings, like whipped cream, marshmallows, crushed candy canes, or a drizzle of caramel.
  • Serve while warm.