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Hot Chocolate; Easy, Rich, and Creamy

December 5, 2019      Sarah Van Wagenen

Drinking hot chocolate together, in front of the fireplace, makes for a dreamy way to keep warm and create some sweet memories. Homemade hot chocolate is in a league of its own! If you haven’t tried it before, I could not recommend it more. I was in college before I realized you could make it yourself. After having it for the first time, I only wanted to drink homemade hot chocolate from then on.

Girls by the fireplace with hot chocolate mugs

After testing a few different ways to make this yummy treat, I shared my own recipe below. I didn’t know until writing this blog post the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa. I never really stopped to think about it, but the difference is pretty simple. Basically, hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder as opposed to actual melted chocolate. With that in mind, I actually gave directions to make it both ways below. Depending on your preferences you can make this treat to suite you and your family perfectly!

Cups of hot chocolate and marshmallows

How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate

Making your own hot chocolate is as easy as adding a packet. Don’t let the idea of making it yourself intimidate you. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the ease of whipping it up, and blown away by how much better it tastes. Although hot chocolate is definitely a treat, this recipe and the extra ideas I shared for preparing it are still better for you than traditional mixes. I also tried to share some alternate ingredients, with allergies in mind, so that hopefully everyone can enjoy this treat together.

Some day I want to attempt homemade marshmallows, but I feel too intimated still. Here’s a healthy recipe that seems to be good, if you feel braver than me, try it out and let me know how it goes.

Hot chocolate tray with marshmallows

Creamy Hot Chocolate

Simple and delicious homemade hot chocolate
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Cook Time 10 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 4 c milk *may also use almond milk
  • 3 c chopped chocolate *may use your preferred chocolate or chocolate chips to eliminate needing to chop
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • whipped cream optional for topping
  • marshmallows optional for topping
  • peanut butter optional for topping

Instructions
 

  • Add the milk to a saucepan and place over medium heat.
  • Place the chocolate in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring between each time, until just melted.
  • Once the milk is thoroughly heated (small bubbles on the side, NOT boiling), add the melted chocolate into the saucepan and quickly whisk.
  • Add the vanilla extract and stir to combine.
  • Serve with peanut butter spoons for stirring, then top with desired toppings.

Notes

If you prefer to make without chocolate, you could consider making hot cocoa instead, by adding a scoop of chocolate protein powder and 1/2 cup of cocoa to the milk. 
Keyword creamy, healthy hot chocolate, hot chocolate
Hot chocolate tray with marshmallows

During this holiday season, I hope you get to sit down and enjoy homemade hot chocolate (or hot cocoa). My little ones look forward to snuggling up and enjoying this treat together, and I love making those memories. Let me know if you try making your own yummy drink this year!

Sincerely,

Sarah
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Hi, I’m Sarah!

Hi, I’m Sarah!

My husband, Kurt, and I live in Birmingham, AL with our three little ones {4}, {2}, & {1}. My husband is currently completing a medical residency. Prior to living here we lived in Texas and Utah for schooling.

This is where I'll be sharing recent reads, favorite recipes and products, everyday style, details about our travels, etc. I'll also be sharing freebies I've designed, so don't miss out! I'm so happy to have you here!

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Halloween 2024 will forever be a favorite family c Halloween 2024 will forever be a favorite family costume! We had so, so much fun planning this one and dancing together! The kids got introduced to Phineas & Ferb by one of their babysitters and we’ve had the best time watching the show together. I don’t know if there is anything cuter than Carter as Perry the Platypus. He LOVED his costume! What a fun crew!! We got home from our London/Paris trip about 24 hours before Halloween so it was an exhausting stretch, but we survived! #halloweenfamilycostume #halloween2024 #boycostumeideas #phineasandferb #familylife #perrytheplatypus #familycostumesarethebest #familycostume #familyof7 #familiesthattravel
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Grateful today and every day for F A M I L Y! I wa Grateful today and every day for F A M I L Y! I watch this video from summer on repeat. We had a blast doing this @cost_n_mayor inspired dance together, which has moves much more difficult than they make it look 🤣Our crew gets bigger every year and we already have one more babe since our summer get together. There are 16 grandkids and when we’re all together there are 29 of us! I’m so grateful for my people and the amazing families that Kurt and I have been blessed with. I can’t wait for our next family dance together! 
#familiesthatdancetogetheraremorefun #grateful #blessed #familiesareforever #familydanceparty #familyreunion #familyreunion #danceparty #familyhumoratitsfinest #familyhumor
Happy Halloween from Hogwarts! #harrypotter #famil Happy Halloween from Hogwarts! #harrypotter #familyhalloweencostumes #halloweencostumeideas #halloweencostume #harrypotterworld #harrypotterfan
We just finished training for a half-marathon and We just finished training for a half-marathon and had our race on Saturday. Kurt was Spider-Man and I was Spider-Man’s biggest fan girl. I had high hopes for running much faster than I did, but getting really sick right before running 13.1 miles made it challenging. I was able to go from an 11:30 minute mile for my first run post-baby to about an 8:50 mile for 13.1 miles so at least I’ve improved. Here are 3 tips for getting half-marathon ready:
1. Sign up for a race (it doesn’t have to be a half, even a 5k is awesome for getting something on the calendar that you’re training for)
2. Find a running partner (obviously, Kurt is my favorite running partner and it has been awesome to train for this race together and go on long runs for our date nights)
3. Start a 12-16 week race plan (we followed a program called Run Less, Run Faster, running 3 days a week with a speed workout, an interval run, and a long run; however, all signs point to more mileage, more often and not as fast being the better route to go for training; sometimes you just do what you can as parents of 5 littles). 
I try to convince everyone to be a runner. It’s just so good for your body, physically, as well as emotionally and mentally. I’m interested to know how many of you are runners or want to run a race. I’ll try to share more of my training and lessons learned. 
#areyoureadyforit #halfmarathontraining #halfmarathon #halfmarathonprep #halfmarathonrunner #runningmotivation #runningmoms #momof5 #hauntedhalfmarathon #runningtips #runningtime #momsthatrun
The breakfast smoothie I make every day. 1 banan The breakfast smoothie I make every day. 

1 banana
2 cups of almond milk 
1/2 cup coconut water
Mix of chia seeds + hemp hearts + ground flaxseed 
1 cup of cooked oatmeal (can chill in the fridge or make the night before)
1 scoop @just.ingredients chocolate protein powder
1 scoop PBfit
2 TBS cocoa (I like mine chocolatey)
1 cup ice

I’ve made this smoothie almost every morning for the last several years and it is so good! I love having it first thing in the morning. It’s healthy and filling, and a great way to start the day! The @just.ingredients protein powder is the best chocolate protein powder I’ve tasted, and one with clean ingredients. They’re running their birthday sale (biggest discount of the year!!) tomorrow at 9 AM MST, so this is the time to stock up! 

Let me know what you think if you try this recipe out! #breakfastfood #breakfastideas #breakfastrecipes #justingredients #cleaneatingrecipe #cleaneatingideas #momof5 #momhacks
Taking a moment to express gratitude for these lit Taking a moment to express gratitude for these little humans that make me a better person and bring me so much joy! They are my favorite people! I’m overwhelmed most of every day, but I love learning and growing together. Other than Kurt, most everyone just sees the highlights; the smiles, the candid photos, the cute outfits, the snuggles, and kisses, and hugs. I feel all the feels, as a mama. I want them to stay babies forever; mentally and emotionally I need them to grow up so that I can feel like a real person again that isn’t just running from one dirty diaper to another, and cleaning up messes while spelling out words, and trying to make sure dinner isn’t burning, while nursing and also checking regularly that the mischievous one isn’t standing on the counter eating every m&m out of the trail mix, or painting our white carpet in the guest bedroom every color that is NOT white. Such a hard mix of feelings to continuously feel. Such high highs, and such low lows. And most of the time I’m surrounded by 5 little people, without the ability to think uninterrupted thoughts, and still feeling incredibly alone. Motherhood is a beautiful opportunity to recognize and feel gratitude for everything our mothers have done for us. I truly love being a mother. I get special moments every day that remind me why I’m doing everything I’m doing. 
Dolly asking me if she can be my baby forever. Lacey being a natural mama to the babies, imitating how I love on them. Grant asking for a hug when he was exhausted and overwhelmed at the end of a fun, but long day. McKay giving the world’s best kisses (don’t tell Kurt 😉), and Carter happily waving and being loved on by a whole crew of older siblings. I hope they know they’re my whole world, and always will be.
Merry Christmas Eve! We have been busy doing all t Merry Christmas Eve! We have been busy doing all the Christmas baking and crafts we can squeeze into the past few weeks. Carter doesn’t want to miss out on the all action, and loved watching the kids build their gingerbread houses. 

The Minla 6-in-1 Adjustable High Chair by @MaxiCosiUSA has made it so he can be a part of the fun too. With 6 modes of use it provides a customized fit from infant seat to booster for children from newborn to 6 years of age. We can use it as a relaxed infant seat, a high chair, and as a cool booster seat with tray. The baby stuff with multiple uses have been the best for us to invest in for our littles. 

#MaxiCosi #WeCarryTheFuture
#lovemypbk #sponsored #merrychristmaseve
“It’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me!” “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me!” Those sweet baby cheeks and big eyes 😍 Maybe if our kids weren’t so dang cute it would be easier to stop having them. Call me crazy, but I’ve hit that stage of postpartum where I’ve had just enough time to forget all the hard things about pregnancy and delivery and I’ve soaked up enough newborn snuggles to say “So worth it! I could do it all again.” 🤪 

#7weeksold #newbornbaby #newbornboy #mamaof5

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Halloween 2024 will forever be a favorite family c Halloween 2024 will forever be a favorite family costume! We had so, so much fun planning this one and dancing together! The kids got introduced to Phineas & Ferb by one of their babysitters and we’ve had the best time watching the show together. I don’t know if there is anything cuter than Carter as Perry the Platypus. He LOVED his costume! What a fun crew!! We got home from our London/Paris trip about 24 hours before Halloween so it was an exhausting stretch, but we survived! #halloweenfamilycostume #halloween2024 #boycostumeideas #phineasandferb #familylife #perrytheplatypus #familycostumesarethebest #familycostume #familyof7 #familiesthattravel
Sneak peek of our family costume this year!! The c Sneak peek of our family costume this year!! The cutest Perry the Platypus. He loved his costume and was so excited to be Perry! #familycostume #familycostumesarethebest #halloween2024 #familylife  #perrytheplatypus #phineasandferb #boycostumeideas
Grateful today and every day for F A M I L Y! I wa Grateful today and every day for F A M I L Y! I watch this video from summer on repeat. We had a blast doing this @cost_n_mayor inspired dance together, which has moves much more difficult than they make it look 🤣Our crew gets bigger every year and we already have one more babe since our summer get together. There are 16 grandkids and when we’re all together there are 29 of us! I’m so grateful for my people and the amazing families that Kurt and I have been blessed with. I can’t wait for our next family dance together! 
#familiesthatdancetogetheraremorefun #grateful #blessed #familiesareforever #familydanceparty #familyreunion #familyreunion #danceparty #familyhumoratitsfinest #familyhumor
Happy Halloween from Hogwarts! #harrypotter #famil Happy Halloween from Hogwarts! #harrypotter #familyhalloweencostumes #halloweencostumeideas #halloweencostume #harrypotterworld #harrypotterfan
We just finished training for a half-marathon and We just finished training for a half-marathon and had our race on Saturday. Kurt was Spider-Man and I was Spider-Man’s biggest fan girl. I had high hopes for running much faster than I did, but getting really sick right before running 13.1 miles made it challenging. I was able to go from an 11:30 minute mile for my first run post-baby to about an 8:50 mile for 13.1 miles so at least I’ve improved. Here are 3 tips for getting half-marathon ready:
1. Sign up for a race (it doesn’t have to be a half, even a 5k is awesome for getting something on the calendar that you’re training for)
2. Find a running partner (obviously, Kurt is my favorite running partner and it has been awesome to train for this race together and go on long runs for our date nights)
3. Start a 12-16 week race plan (we followed a program called Run Less, Run Faster, running 3 days a week with a speed workout, an interval run, and a long run; however, all signs point to more mileage, more often and not as fast being the better route to go for training; sometimes you just do what you can as parents of 5 littles). 
I try to convince everyone to be a runner. It’s just so good for your body, physically, as well as emotionally and mentally. I’m interested to know how many of you are runners or want to run a race. I’ll try to share more of my training and lessons learned. 
#areyoureadyforit #halfmarathontraining #halfmarathon #halfmarathonprep #halfmarathonrunner #runningmotivation #runningmoms #momof5 #hauntedhalfmarathon #runningtips #runningtime #momsthatrun
The breakfast smoothie I make every day. 1 banan The breakfast smoothie I make every day. 

1 banana
2 cups of almond milk 
1/2 cup coconut water
Mix of chia seeds + hemp hearts + ground flaxseed 
1 cup of cooked oatmeal (can chill in the fridge or make the night before)
1 scoop @just.ingredients chocolate protein powder
1 scoop PBfit
2 TBS cocoa (I like mine chocolatey)
1 cup ice

I’ve made this smoothie almost every morning for the last several years and it is so good! I love having it first thing in the morning. It’s healthy and filling, and a great way to start the day! The @just.ingredients protein powder is the best chocolate protein powder I’ve tasted, and one with clean ingredients. They’re running their birthday sale (biggest discount of the year!!) tomorrow at 9 AM MST, so this is the time to stock up! 

Let me know what you think if you try this recipe out! #breakfastfood #breakfastideas #breakfastrecipes #justingredients #cleaneatingrecipe #cleaneatingideas #momof5 #momhacks
Taking a moment to express gratitude for these lit Taking a moment to express gratitude for these little humans that make me a better person and bring me so much joy! They are my favorite people! I’m overwhelmed most of every day, but I love learning and growing together. Other than Kurt, most everyone just sees the highlights; the smiles, the candid photos, the cute outfits, the snuggles, and kisses, and hugs. I feel all the feels, as a mama. I want them to stay babies forever; mentally and emotionally I need them to grow up so that I can feel like a real person again that isn’t just running from one dirty diaper to another, and cleaning up messes while spelling out words, and trying to make sure dinner isn’t burning, while nursing and also checking regularly that the mischievous one isn’t standing on the counter eating every m&m out of the trail mix, or painting our white carpet in the guest bedroom every color that is NOT white. Such a hard mix of feelings to continuously feel. Such high highs, and such low lows. And most of the time I’m surrounded by 5 little people, without the ability to think uninterrupted thoughts, and still feeling incredibly alone. Motherhood is a beautiful opportunity to recognize and feel gratitude for everything our mothers have done for us. I truly love being a mother. I get special moments every day that remind me why I’m doing everything I’m doing. 
Dolly asking me if she can be my baby forever. Lacey being a natural mama to the babies, imitating how I love on them. Grant asking for a hug when he was exhausted and overwhelmed at the end of a fun, but long day. McKay giving the world’s best kisses (don’t tell Kurt 😉), and Carter happily waving and being loved on by a whole crew of older siblings. I hope they know they’re my whole world, and always will be.
Merry Christmas Eve! We have been busy doing all t Merry Christmas Eve! We have been busy doing all the Christmas baking and crafts we can squeeze into the past few weeks. Carter doesn’t want to miss out on the all action, and loved watching the kids build their gingerbread houses. 

The Minla 6-in-1 Adjustable High Chair by @MaxiCosiUSA has made it so he can be a part of the fun too. With 6 modes of use it provides a customized fit from infant seat to booster for children from newborn to 6 years of age. We can use it as a relaxed infant seat, a high chair, and as a cool booster seat with tray. The baby stuff with multiple uses have been the best for us to invest in for our littles. 

#MaxiCosi #WeCarryTheFuture
#lovemypbk #sponsored #merrychristmaseve
“It’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me!” “It’s me, hi, I’m the problem it’s me!” Those sweet baby cheeks and big eyes 😍 Maybe if our kids weren’t so dang cute it would be easier to stop having them. Call me crazy, but I’ve hit that stage of postpartum where I’ve had just enough time to forget all the hard things about pregnancy and delivery and I’ve soaked up enough newborn snuggles to say “So worth it! I could do it all again.” 🤪 

#7weeksold #newbornbaby #newbornboy #mamaof5
We got our sneak peek photos back from a studio se We got our sneak peek photos back from a studio session with @flyleafphoto today and my heart melts!! These beautiful babes are my little loves and I am so grateful! 

A little behind the scenes from our photos. The kids did so well and we loved working with Amy! I cannot wait to see the rest of everything they captured.

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