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!

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.

Creamy Hot Chocolate

Simple and delicious homemade hot chocolate

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Servings: 4

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

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

Method

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.

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,