Homemade Hot Chocolate

I don’t know about y’all, but cold, gray, wintry days pretty much require hot chocolate. There’s something about sipping a mug of creamy, thick, rich hot chocolate that makes me feel comforted, cozy, and at ease, especially after a long day of work. Add some whipped cream or homemade marshmallows on top… even better.

I shared a recipe for a single-serving hot chocolate back in the old days of my blog, so it’s definitely time for an upgrade. This easy Homemade Hot Chocolate comes together in just a few minutes, uses simple ingredients, and is perfect for sharing. I make it about once a week for me and Boyfriend when it’s really cold here, which basically means from late November through February.

Usually I opt for whipped cream on my hot chocolate, but a nice, thick homemade marshmallow just takes it up a notch. When they’re, like, soft and gooey and just melting over top of the hot chocolate… mmm, perfection. I’ll eat that with a spoon.

I’d never made homemade marshmallows until a couple months ago, but I’d been wanting to try for a few years. This recipe from Delish seemed pretty straightforward and approachable, so I figured I’d give it a shot. The verdict? Homemade marshmallows definitely taste way better than store-bought. They’re not super difficult to make, but they can get messy, and timing is of utmost importance since the mix (batter?) starts to set very quickly. I don’t think they’ll be part of my normal recipe rotation, but they’re fun to make for special occasions or the holidays. In the meantime, I’ll get fresh marshmallows from my favorite local coffee shops.

If marshmallows aren’t your thing, you can pile your hot chocolate high with freshly whipped cream, peppermint candies (or a peppermint stick), shaved chocolate, or even some foamed milk.

This homemade hot chocolate is delicious as is, but you can add a ton of different flavors for a little twist. Try it with any of the following:

• Coffee or coffee liqueur
• Irish cream
• Mint, peppermint, or creme de menthe
• Amaretto
• Chambord or raspberry
• Grand Marnier or orange
• Lavender
• Cinnamon
• Chili or cayenne

This recipe makes 2 good-sized cups, so it’s perfect for sharing with a friend or significant other. It’s easy to double, or even triple, if you’re serving more people. At that point, you could even make it in a crock pot to keep it warm.

Here’s how to make my Homemade Hot Chocolate.

You will need:

• Milk (regular or non-dairy; unsweetened almond milk works well)
• Heavy cream (or additional non-dairy milk; heavy cream adds nice richness)
• Cocoa powder or cacao
• Pure maple syrup (I like the more natural sweetness compared to sugar)
• Chocolate chips
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

This really couldn’t be easier to make!

1. Place a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
2. Add all ingredients and whisk carefully to combine.
3. Lower heat to low. Keep warm until ready to serve.
4. Ladle hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed peppermint, chocolate shavings, or anything else!

And that’s it! See how quick and easy it is to make some rich, thick, indulgent hot chocolate? I hope you’ll give it a try, maybe even with some extra flavor!

Thanks so much for reading, y’all! If you do make my hot chocolate recipe, be sure to share your pictures on Instagram and tag me so I can see your creations. In the meantime, here are some other recipes you might also like:

• Dark Chocolate Mousse
• Easy Mulled Wine
• Thin Mint Truffles
• Orange Spice Tea Latte
• 4 Fall Drinks