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This Easy Hot Chocolate is made with just two ingredients right on your stovetop and is endlessly customizable. It’s a cozy winter treat!
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Deck the halls with boughs of holly—and a mug of easy hot chocolate— fa-la-la-la-la,la-la-la-la!
To me, there’s nothing more holiday than spending a chilly December or January afternoon watching a Hallmark holiday moving while sipping on a mug of easy hot chocolate.
Trust me, I know How to Make Hot Chocolate.
To date, I have a number of homemade and easy hot chocolate mixes under my belt, such as this Crockpot Hot Chocolate and French Hot Chocolate.
When I need hot chocolate for one or I’m low on ingredients, this easy hot chocolate recipe is ideal.
5 Star Review
“This is so yummy! The salt was such a good tip, I tried the hot chocolate before and after I added the salt and it really completes it.”
— Kate —
For years, I was tied to the instant hot chocolate packets in the microwave because they are convenient, but I’ve never been totally comfortable with their ingredients or their lackluster flavor.
Now that I’ve discovered how to make a heavenly, easy hot chocolate with only TWO core ingredients, I’ll never go back to store-bought mixes again.
Why I Love This Easy Hot Chocolate
- It’s just as quick and easy as a mix, but it tastes far, far more wonderful.
- It’s more affordable than store-bought mixes.
- I can control the ingredients (read: add more chocolate).
- No corn syrup or other artificial stuff added.
- I can make as large or as small a batch as I please (the recipe below is hot chocolate for one cup, but feel free to multiply as needed). Looking for more one-serving chocolatey goodness? Check out my Chocolate Mug Cake.
- The hot chocolate customization possibilities are endless.
How to Make Easy Hot Chocolate
Are you ready for this easy hot chocolate recipe hack?
All you need is milk (any kind) and chocolate chips.
That’s it!
Melt them together on the stove, and in a few short minutes, you have a homemade, easy hot chocolate thatputs the packets to shame.
The Ingredients
- Milk. Any kind you like. I usually stick with 2% milk to try and make my cocoa healthy…ish, like this Healthy Hot Chocolate, (and milk has protein and calcium after all!). If you prefer whole milk for more creaminess, be my guest!
- Chocolate Chips. Skip the cocoa powder (save it for these Brownie Bites) and instead reach for the semi-sweet chocolate chips in your pantry. For an even richer homemade hot cocoa mix, choose a 65% or greater bittersweet chocolate—Trader Joe’s and Ghiradelli make some of the BEST chocolate for easy hot cocoa.
Dietary Note
You can make easy vegan or dairy-free hot chocolate by using your favorite almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk in this recipe. Make sure you also check the ingredient list of your chocolate too since some brands include milk-based additives.
Hot Chocolate Additions
- Kosher Salt: Adding a tiny pinchof salt to homemade hot chocolatehelps balance the flavor and keeps it from being overly sweet. Try it and see if you agree.
- Pure Vanilla Extract: Make sure you use the real deal! Because this easy hot chocolate has so few ingredients, you can truly taste every one, so quality is important. This brand is super high quality, but this bargain buy is pretty darn good too.
- Espresso Powder: Coffee has a magical way of intensifying taste of taste chocolate.If you are a chocoholic, you’ll love the extraoomph the espresso powder provides. As long as you only add a little, the coffee flavor is imperceptible, but you’ll taste the chocolate more. For another way to use espresso powder in your chocolate desserts, try my Chocolate Fondue.
- Switch Up the Baking Chips. Use this same recipe for white hot chocolate or do a mix of regular chocolate chips and flavored chips.
- Booze: A girl needs to stay warm in the winter! Favorites: peppermint schnapps; dark rum; Kahlua; Irish whiskey.
- For More Ideas. See my best homemade Hot Chocolate for more tasty hot chocolate variations, like Mexican hot chocolate and peppermint hot chocolate.
The Directions
- Warm the milk on medium-low heat until steaming.
- Stir in the chocolate chips until melted along with any mix-ins. Serve hot with toppings. ENJOY!
Storage Tips
- To Store. Let cool to room temperature then store in a covered container for up to 1 day in the fridge.
- To Reheat. Warm in a microwave-safe mug in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop until steaming.
What to Serve with Easy Hot Chocolate
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- SmallWhisk. SO HANDY. I use this 99.9% more often than my larger whisk.
- Metal Measuring Cups. I use this set daily for cooking and baking.
- Festive Mug. Because the best homemade hot cocoa comes served in a holiday mug.
Tonight, set the packet aside, put on your fuzzy slippers, and curl up with a steaming mug of this easy homemade hot chocolate.
Holiday lights and sequined tree skirts are optional but encouraged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Make Homemade Hot Chocolate in the Microwave?
I typically make this recipe on the stovetop but you could also experiment with making this easy homemade hot chocolate in the microwave. Warm the milk in a microwave-safe glass measuring cup until steaming. Then stir in the chocolate chips until melted and fully incorporated. Be careful not to over microwave the chocolate or it may burn.
Is Hot Chocolate Gluten Free?
Yes. Milk and most chocolate chips on the market are gluten free. As always check your labels to be certain.
Can I Freeze Homemade Hot Chocolate?
I have not tried freezing this hot cocoa recipe but I have heard of people freezing hot chocolate in an ice cube tray for later use. If you decide to experiment with freezing this recipe I’d love to hear about your results.
Do I Make Hot Chocolate with Milk or Water?
Milk is an essential ingredient to easy hot chocolate. I do not recommend using water for making hot chocolate as the cocoa will be thin and lacking in body and creaminess.
Easy Hot Chocolate
4.90 from 47 votes
Just two ingredients -milk and chocolate (no cocoa powder)- make one perfect mug with this Easy Hot Chocolate recipe!
Cook: 5 minutes mins
Total: 5 minutes mins
Servings: 1 cup (multiply as needed)
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Ingredients
For the Hot Chocolate:
- 1 cup milk any kind you like*
- 3 tablespoons semi-sweetchocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate**
Ideas to Customize:
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract or1-2 drops pure peppermint extract
- 1 shot whiskey, dark rum, or peppermint schnapps
- Pinch kosher salt highly recommended for all flavor combinations
- Pinch espresso powder will enhance the chocolateflavor
- For topping: Whipped cream, marshmallows, caramel, or hot fudge
Instructions
In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium high heat until steaming and small bubbles form around the edge (do not let the milk boil!).
Add the chocolate chips, stirring occasionally with a whisk until smooth and melted. Then add any desired mix-ins or additional flavors.
Serve hot with desired toppings.
Notes
- *MILK OPTIONS: I usually use skim milk, but 2% or whole will give the hot chocolate more body and richness. Dairy-free options such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk can be used well.
- **CHOOSING CHOCOLATE: For the best-tasting homemade hot cocoa using chocolate chips or chopped chocolate, I like to use a 65% or greater dark chocolate.
- TO STORE: Let cool to room temperature then store in a covered container for up to 1 day in the fridge.
- TO REHEAT: Warm in a microwave-safe mug in the microwave or in a saucepan on the stovetop until steaming.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cup (without additional mix-ins or toppings)Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 11gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgPotassium: 609mgFiber: 4gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 485IUCalcium: 323mgIron: 3mg
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Erin Clarke
Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!
