5.0 from 51 votes
Homemade Hot Chocolate
This carefully tested homemade hot chocolate recipe yields rich, indulgent, and silky smooth results every single time. Recipe makes enough for two, and can easily be halved or doubled. Be sure to check out the how-to video!
Prep Time
2 mins
Cook Time
2 mins
Total Time
10 mins
Servings: 2 8-oz servings
Calories: 703 kcal
Course:
Drinks
Cuisine:
American
Ingredients
- 4 oz quality dark chocolate bar finely chopped (see note for recommendations)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar may substitute granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch sea salt table salt will also work (a "pinch" for me is about 1/16th teaspoon of salt)
- Mini marshmallows for serving optional
Instructions
- Combine chocolate, heavy cream, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and whisk to combine.
- Whisk constantly until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth (don't turn up the heat to speed up the process, heat that's too high will give you grainy results).
- Once the chocolate is completely melted, slowly drizzle milk mixture into the saucepan while whisking constantly. I do this slowly, adding about 2 Tablespoons at a time and making sure the milk is completely incorporated and the mixture has time to regain temperature before adding more.
- Once all milk has been added, whisk a bit longer until mixture is thoroughly heated (I look for steam coming off the pot or will hover my hand over the pot to make sure I can feel the heat radiating from it -- the milk can cool the mixture quickly and you need to give it a bit of time to warm or your drink won’t be!).
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.
- Pour into heatproof mugs and serve warm, preferably topped with marshmallows!
Cup of Yum
Notes
- You may easily divide this recipe in half for 1 serving or double it for 4 servings! When making 4 servings, I recommend using half light brown and half granulated sugar and I use ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt.
- I recommend using a quality dark chocolate that you enjoy the taste of. I like a chopped 60% cacao premium chocolate bars (Lindt or Ghirardelli are good options). Couverture chocolate is another great option and does not need to be chopped if it is in chip form.
- Note that chocolate chips will work in a pinch, but are not the best choice here. Semisweet chocolate will yield a sweeter drink and you may wish to slightly reduce the sugar.
- For those of you asking, these are the hot chocolate mugs I used in my photos (affiliate link!). Love them!
Nutrition Information
Serving
18-oz serving
Calories
703kcal
(35%)
Carbohydrates
48g
(16%)
Protein
11g
(22%)
Fat
52g
(80%)
Saturated Fat
31g
(155%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
2g
Monounsaturated Fat
15g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
102mg
(34%)
Sodium
135mg
(6%)
Potassium
708mg
(20%)
Fiber
6g
(24%)
Sugar
35g
(70%)
Vitamin A
1193IU
(24%)
Vitamin C
1mg
(1%)
Calcium
297mg
(30%)
Iron
7mg
(39%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 28-oz servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 703
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 18-oz serving | |
| Calories | 703kcal | 35% |
| Carbohydrates | 48g | 16% |
| Protein | 11g | 22% |
| Fat | 52g | 80% |
| Saturated Fat | 31g | 155% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 2g | 12% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 102mg | 34% |
| Sodium | 135mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 708mg | 15% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 35g | 70% |
| Vitamin A | 1193IU | 24% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 297mg | 30% |
| Iron | 7mg | 39% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.