Decadent and sinfully delicious Hot Chocolate, homemade from the comfort of your own home. Drink as much as you like, because this is so easy to make, not to mention 100% budget friendly compared to store-bought hot chocolate. With this recipe, you can drink it everyday without breaking your budget. 

In this post, I am going to arm you with the basic information that you need to know in making a homemade hot chocolate. Tips, do’s and don’t and a simple hot chocolate recipe that you can practice to put everything that you will learn from this post. A simple, and yet decadent and delicious hot chocolate that will keep you warm and cozy and will definitely make cold rainy and snowy days bearable. Let’s get started and keep ourselves warm with our very own homemade hot chocolate.

Hot chocolate is one of my chocolate drink indulgent during cold days. Fall and Winter calls for a cup of decadent hot chocolate, it’s a simple pleasure in life and one that I don’t do as often because I used to buy it at the cafe whenever I’m out. I wouldn’t lie to you, I grew up drinking powdered chocolate drink, and even that for me taste absolutely delicious, until I started buying them from the cafe. I have to admit those hot chocolate from the cafe are sometimes better, it has a stronger chocolate taste plus I get I have make whipped cream on top. Hot chocolate is not really the healthiest drink (but definitely the most delicious) and it is not as cheap as you think. A cup of good quality hot chocolate could cost about 4CAD that’s the small one. So why spend that much money when we can make it at home? Make a large batch, put it in to container and have it to go with you. You will not regret it, I tell you, it is 100% better than store-bought.

Why Make Homemade Hot Chocolate?

• It’s cheaper to make it at home
• It’s super easy, you can make It in 5 minutes
• You can swap different kind of chocolate every time you make it (milk chocolate, dark chocolate and even white chocolate)
• You can choose the type of milk or cream (all full fat, half and half, all cream or non dairy for healthier option)
• You can add any topping that you like, without extra charge (marshmallow, whipped cream, sounds delicious right?) 
  You can add any flavor that you like (spice it up, drops of Vanilla or maybe some espresso powder to wake you up)
• You can reduce or increase the sweetness to your preference (no sugar? More sugar, less sugar, it’s your call)

Bottom line, easy and super flexible recipe that you can adjust to your preference. 

What milk is suitable for making Hot Chocolate?

If you are indulging in this decadent hot chocolate drink, so you are probably aware that this is not the healthiest drink option. So if you are making at home, might as well do it the right and most delicious way. That is by using a full fat milk & cream. You need all the fat to make this super creamy, decadent and delicious. That’s what makes a great hot chocolate plus of course a good quality chocolate. 

• All Cream – The best and creamiest option. You’ll get a really thick and creamy hot chocolate, not the healthiest option but definitely the most delicious 
• Full Fat Milk + Cream – you can buy half and half or you can mix your own and adjust the ratio. 3/4 milk + 1/4 cream or vice versa, 50/50 or 2/3 milk + 1/3 cream or vice versa 
• All Full Fat Milk only – this work as well, not as creamy and thick as when you add cream. 
• Non Dairy Milk – the likes of Coconut Milk, Almond Milk or Soy Milk. They are not going to get even close to being creamy, in fact I don’t even taste the flavor of coconut or almond. It’s not my go to option, but you are vegan it you are just trying to cut on use of dairy, this is better than not having any at all. Just set the expectation before hand and so that you don’t get disappointed. 

What kind of chocolate is suitable for making homemade Hot Chocolate? 

You’re going to love this, you have choices when it comes to what Type of chocolate to use.

• Dark Chocolate – this had 70% and above cocoa content. Almost in between being bitter and almost too bitter. You might need to add sweetener if you choose this time of chocolate. 
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate or Milk Chocolate – this have 60% cocoa content, for me a good compromise of getting the right sweetness and a good chocolate flavor. Depending on how sweet the chocolate you use, you may keep may not need to add sweetener in the hot chocolate. 
• Unsweetened – this is very dark and bitter and I wouldn’t recommend using this on its own. Even with a sweetener, this is still quite bitter. What you can do it to mix it with semi sweet chocolate, but do not use it in its own
• White Chocolate – definitely sweeter, less bitter than dark and semi sweet chocolate. It has higher amount of milk solids and sugar. You probably won’t need to add any sweetener if you use this one, unless you really want your hot chocolate to be extra sweet. 
• Cocoa Powder – This is probably the most common homemade hot chocolate that compares to off the shelf hot chocolate mix. It’s usually unsweetened so you definitely have to add sweeter (normally sugar) when you use this. The good thing about using cocoa powder, you can easily make a huge batch of hot chocolate mix by just mixing it with sugar and salt. store it in a can and Just like that and you have a ready to use hot chocolate mix. 

Bars, Chips, Wafers, or Powder? 

• Bars – This is my first go to option when making hot chocolate. For me, nothing beats using a chopped chocolate. It not only melts faster, it also gives a better consistency when melted. Find a good quality chocolate, one that you can eat on its own. The key to a great hot chocolate is a great quality chocolate so do not settle for anything less. 
• Chocolate Chips – although an option, I wouldn’t recommend using chocolate chips to make hot chocolate. Chocolate chips have stabilizers to help it retain its shape when bake. This is why the first choice in making chocolate chips cookies, they retain their shape even after baking in high temperature. Because chocolate chips uses stabilizers, it somehow compromise the flavor and it gives a waxy texture. Having said this, chocolate chips when use in hot chocolate does not melt as easily,you have to use a really hot milk to melt it.
• Wafers – this looks like coins, they are small disk shaped pieces of chocolate. It’s is better than chocolate chips because it does not contain stabilizers and so they melt beautifully. 
• Cocoa Powder – usually unsweetened, it comes in either Natural or Dutch Processed (low acidity, darker color). Either one will work since we are not doing any baking here. Dutch Process will give a deeper dark color as opposed to Natural with lighter brown color. 

Do you need to add sugar to homemade Hot Chocolate?

This boils down to preference, and in the type of chocolate you use. Dark chocolate might require a little  sweetener, while white chocolate might not need any additional sugar. Hold on to the sugar until the chocolate is fully melted in the milk. Taste then decide if you need to add sugar and how much sugar you need to add.

What are the Ingredients for Homemade Hot Chocolate?

• Chopped Chocolate – Use good quality bar chocolate, semi-sweet, dark or combination of both. Chop into small pieces so that it melts easily.
• Cocoa Powder – Either natural or dutch processed will work. If you do not have cocoa powder, you can add more chopped chocolate , about 1 tablespoon.
• Milk – Use full fat milk for creamier hot chocolate.
• Sugar – Depending on how sweet the chocolate you are using, You may or may not need to add sugar. I like to start without sugar, then I just add some if needed when I am drinking it.

How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate

Making homemade Hot Chocolate is super easy, the most that you need to do is to chop the chocolate. You can make it even easier by chopping a large batch of chocolate and storing it in air tight container. Make sure it is air tight as you do not want the chocolate to be exposed. When you feel like making hot chocolate, simply measure what you need and add it in hot milk to melt. But even if you do not do that, it is still a very easy process.

• Start by chopping the chocolate. Chop the chocolate as fine as possible for easy melting. If you are making a large batch, you can use a food chopper or simply use a sharp knife. Do not store the chocolate in the refrigerator if you plan to use it for making hot chocolate. Chocolate stored at room temperature is easier to chop, and it will melts faster too.
• Heat the milk in a pan then scoop a small portion and pour it into the cocoa powder (if using). Mix to create a paste. This will lessen the chance of lumps in the hot chocolate. Pour the dissolved cocoa powder in the hot milk and stir until combined. Use medium heat in heating the milk. Once the meat is hot enough, you should see steam coming out of the pan, and some bubbles showing on the side of the pan as well. Do not get it to the boiling stage.
• Add the chopped chocolate then stir until fully melted. You can also pass the hot chocolate in a sieve if you want to make sure it is lump free and smooth.
• Taste then add sugar as needed. Be careful in adding sugar especially when using semi-sweet or white chocolate. It is always safe to add it at the end. You can use any powdered sweetener of your choice.

Key to Success

The key to a great homemade Hot Chocolate that beats the store-bought Hot chocolate is a good quality chocolate and rich full fat milk and/or cream. So do not settle for anything less and you won’t be disappointed.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Full Fat Milk (or a combination of 3/4 cup milk + 1/4 cup cream)
• 1 tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder (Natural or Dutch Processed)
• 1/4 cup Chocolate (Dark or Semi-Sweet or combination of both) – finely chopped
• Sugar – This is optional. Taste the hot chocolate first and add as much or less sugar as you like. If using semi-sweet chocolate, you may not need to add sugar or only add less specially if you are topping it with marshmallow

Substitution:

• Milk – can be substituted with non-dairy milk (the likes of coconut milk, almond milk or soy milk), but the result will not as creamy
• Cocoa Powder – can be substituted with more chopped chocolate or you can just omit it.

Instructions:

1. Start by chopping the chocolate. Chop the chocolate as fine as possible for easy melting. If you are making a large batch, you can use a food chopper or simply use a sharp knife. Do not store the chocolate in the refrigerator if you plan to use it for making hot chocolate. Chocolate stored at room temperature is easier to chop, and it will melts faster too.
2. Heat the milk in a pan then scoop a small portion and pour it into the cocoa powder (if using). Mix to dilute the cocoa powder. This will lessen the chance of lumps in the hot chocolate. Pour the dissolved cocoa powder in the hot milk and stir until combined. Use medium heat in heating the milk. Once the meat is hot enough, you should see steam coming out of the pan, and some bubbles showing on the side of the pan as well. Do not get it to the boiling stage.
3. Add the chopped chocolate then stir until fully melted. You can also pass the hot chocolate in a sieve if you want to make sure it is lump free and smooth.
4. Taste then add sugar as needed. Be careful in adding sugar especially when using semi-sweet or white chocolate. It is always safe to add it at the end. You can use any powdered sweetener of your choice.
5. Add Topping: Add mini marsh mallow or whipped cream (or both) on top.

Serves 1

How to Make a Big Batch Serving

To make a larger batch, simply double of triple the ingredients measurement.

How to Store Homemade Hot Chocolate

Transfer left over hot chocolate in a sealed container or glass jar. This can last 3 – 5 days in the refrigerator. Re-heat in the microwave or in a pan (if making a large batch) when ready to drink.

Recipe Note:

• The amount of sugar depends on whether you use dark or semi-sweet chocolate and how sweet the chocolate you are using. I normally add about 1 tsp only when using dark chocolate and no sugar at all when using semi-sweet chocolate. Adjust the sugar to your preference

Nutritional Information

Nutritional Information was calculated using Veryfitwell Recipe Calorie and Nutrition Calculator. For details about Nutritional Information in this website, please read the Disclaimer page.

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