Description
This homemade hot chocolate recipe delivers a rich, creamy, and comforting beverage made with whole milk, cocoa powder, and bittersweet chocolate. Enhanced with pure vanilla extract and topped with homemade whipped cream, it’s the perfect cozy treat for any time of year.
Ingredients
Scale
Hot Chocolate
- 2 ½ cups whole milk
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 6 oz bittersweet chocolate (or semisweet, milk, etc.)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Topping
- Homemade whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: Add the 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 to prevent scorching and ensure smooth chocolate flavor.
- Add Chocolate and Vanilla: Stir in the bittersweet chocolate and pure vanilla extract, whisking continuously until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
- Serve: Pour the hot chocolate into 4 small mugs and top each serving with homemade whipped cream for an indulgent finish.
Notes
- 6 oz of chocolate is approximately equal to 1 cup chopped chocolate pieces.
- Whole milk provides a creamy texture, but any dairy or non-dairy milk can be used depending on preference and dietary needs.
- For a richer hot chocolate, mix whole milk with half heavy cream or half and half.
- Use pure, unsweetened cocoa powder; dark cocoa powder will make it more intense in flavor.
- Granulated sugar can be substituted with organic cane sugar or coconut sugar.
- Chocolate types impact sweetness: bittersweet and semisweet are balanced, milk chocolate and white chocolate will be sweeter.
- Use dairy-free chocolate for a vegan version and consider increasing sugar if using baker’s chocolate (100% cocoa).
- Vanilla extract can be replaced or complemented with other extracts like peppermint for variation.
- Store leftovers in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (approx. 240ml)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
