Homemade Hot Chocolate
User Reviews
5
Homemade Hot Chocolate
Description
This Homemade Hot Chocolate recipe starts by melting fine-quality dark chocolate with heavy cream and brown sugar over low heat, whisking constantly until smooth. Milk is then gradually incorporated in small amounts to preserve the melted chocolate’s texture and temperature. The final mixture is heated until steaming, then flavored with vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to enhance complexity. The drink can be served immediately, optionally topped with mini marshmallows. The recipe’s stepwise addition of milk and low heat prevents graininess, yielding a creamy beverage.
The notes suggest using 60% cacao premium bars for best flavor and mention that chocolate chips or semisweet chocolate can work but alter sweetness. The recipe scales easily for different serving sizes and offers sugar adjustments for personal preference.
Ingredients
- 4 oz dark chocolate finely chopped (see note for recommendations, quality bar
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar may substitute granulated sugar
- 1 ½ cups milk whole
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt table salt will also work (a "pinch" for me is about 1/16th teaspoon of salt, sea salt
- marshmallow optional, mini, for serving
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!
Notes
- This recipe can be halved or doubled to serve 1 to 4 people.
- Use quality dark chocolate bars around 60% cacao for the best taste and smoothness.
- A mix of light brown and granulated sugar may balance sweetness when making larger batches.
- Chocolate chips work in a pinch but may alter texture and sweetness.
- Add a pinch of salt to balance sweetness and deepen chocolate flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 28-oz servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 703 kcal
% 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.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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