Go Back
Chocolate chip hot chocolate in a mug with marshmallows.
AGT Editorial Team

Hot Chocolate Using Real Chocolate (No Cocoa Powder!)

5 from 1 vote
This homemade Hot Chocolate recipe uses real chocolate NO powder mixes here! The result is a rich and creamy hot cocoa. Plus, it's just THREE simple ingredients.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 7 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine: American
Calories: 401
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups milk or cream
  • 12-15 oz. good milk chocolate *see notes
  • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method
 

  1. Chop your chocolate into small pieces if using a bar.
  2. Add milk to a saucepan over medium low heat. Bring to a light simmer.
  3. Turn off heat and whisk in chocolate and vanilla until fully dissolved.
  4. Serve with whipped cream, mini marshmallows and/or a peppermint stick or candy cane.

Notes

*If you're using milk chocolate, you shouldn't need to add sugar. If using chocolate with a higher cocoa percentage or want a sweeter hot chocolate, you may want to add ½ - 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar to each cup to sweeten it up.
Other Tips:
  • Don't boil your milk. You want to just warm it up enough for the chocolate to melt. The ideal temperature is 90 F.
  • Use the best chocolate you can find.
  • Mixing in different extracts will give you different flavor combinations.
  • You will need to reheat the hot chocolate once it cools to re-incorporate the ingredients.
  • Use whole milk and/or cream to get the richest, creamiest hot cocoa.
  • Add in peanut butter chips for a chocolate peanut butter flavor.
Storage: Cool and refrigerate leftovers promptly in a sealed container at 40°F or below and use within 3-4 days.