Homemade Hot Chocolate
Updated Sep 28, 2026
Homemade hot chocolate made from scratch on the stove with cocoa powder, milk, and melted chocolate chips. Ready in about 10 minutes.
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The first time I made homemade hot chocolate on the stove, I remember thinking, wait, that’s it? Milk, cocoa, chocolate, sugar, and a few minutes. I liked it sooo much better than the powdered stuff that the packets pretty much disappeared from my pantry after that. Homemade hot chocolate also doesn’t have to be nearly as sweet, which is probably my biggest issue with most of the mixes.
Now I keep everything for it in the house once the weather starts cooling down. Sometimes I make one or two mugs for the kids, and sometimes I make a whole pot, especially if people are coming over. That’s usually when I pull out all the toppings and turn it into a hot chocolate bar, which my kids are never going to complain about.
Recipe testing notes
For the past 10 years, I’ve tested every recipe before sharing it with you! These notes give you a peek into the process of developing this Homemade Hot Chocolate recipe.
I’ve made hot chocolate with just cocoa powder before, and I always think it’s going to be enough until I take the first sip. It tastes like hot chocolate, but it’s missing that thicker chocolatey thing I want from it. The chocolate chips fix that, so now I use both and don’t mess with it. The cocoa gives me the deeper chocolate flavor, and the melted chips make it feel more like an actual mug of melted chocolate.
I used to whisk the cocoa straight into the milk, which meant spending the next few minutes chasing tiny cocoa clumps around the pot. Now I mix it into the boiling water first and get it completely smooth before the milk goes anywhere near it. It’s a small thing, but I stopped ending up with those little dry pockets of cocoa floating around, so I’ve kept doing it that way.
The milk is the part I watch the closest. I’ve let it boil before, and then I’m scraping the bottom of the pot and peeling that skin off the top, neither of which I want in my hot chocolate. I heat it until it’s steaming and everything is melted together, then I’m done. It really doesn’t need anything more than that.
Happy Cooking!
– Yumna
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Homemade Hot Chocolate Ingredients
- Cocoa powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder works best in this recipe since you add sugar separately. Either Dutch-processed or natural are great options.
- Sugar: I like cane sugar for this homemade hot cocoa recipe, but you can also use granulated sugar.
- Milk: Whole milk will give you a slightly thicker hot cocoa, but 2% works well too. For a non-dairy option, any unsweetened plant-based milk works.
- Chocolate chips: I use semi-sweet chocolate chips because there’s already sugar in the recipe. But you can use your favorite! Dark chocolate or white chocolate chips work well, too. Or, chop up a similar amount of your favorite chocolate bar or baking bar.
- Vanilla extract: You can also swap in almond extract or peppermint extract for a festive twist. If you use peppermint, just a few drops go a long way!
- For serving: I love serving homemade hot cocoa with mini marshmallows and chocolate shavings. You can also try chopped chocolate chips, M&Ms, chocolate sprinkles, or a spoonful of marshmallow fluff.
How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate
These photos show the simple stovetop process for making hot chocolate from scratch. The full ingredient amounts and instructions are in the recipe card below, or you can jump straight to the → Homemade Hot Cocoa Recipe
1. Whisk the cocoa and sugar
Bring the water to a boil in a small saucepan, then whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar until they dissolve and the mixture looks smooth. If it doesn’t all dissolve, you’ll have dry clumps of powder in your hot chocolate.
2. Add the milk
Reduce the heat and slowly whisk in the milk. Let it heat gently without bringing it to a boil.
3. Melt the chocolate chips
Add the chocolate chips and keep whisking as they melt. The mixture should become completely smooth with no pieces of chocolate remaining.
4. Finish the hot chocolate
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Pour into mugs and add mini marshmallows and chocolate shavings, if desired.
Recipe Video Tutorial
Full Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe
Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe
Video
Ingredients
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar
- 3 ½ cups milk
- ½ cup chocolate chips
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Mini marshmallows for serving
- Chocolate shavings for serving
Instructions
- Fill a small pot with water and bring to a boil. Whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar.
- Reduce heat to medium and whisk in the milk. Cook over medium heat until the milk is heated but not boiling, about 3 minutes
- Add chocolate chips and continue to whisk until the chocolate chips melt and the mixture becomes smooth, about 2 more minutes.
- Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla extract.
- Serve with mini marshmallows, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
Recipe Variations
- Add coffee flavor: Stir in 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder with the cocoa powder. The coffee will boost the chocolate flavor!
- Make spicy hot chocolate: Whisk ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper in with the cocoa powder and sugar. For a stronger kick, increase it to ¼ teaspoon.
- Add baking spices: Whisk in ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon with the cocoa powder and sugar. For a little more spice, add a small pinch of nutmeg or cardamom too.
- Make it extra chocolatey: Increase the chocolate chips from ½ cup to ¾ cup for a thicker, more chocolate-forward version.
“I used regular milk, and it tastes delicious. Thank you for sharing great recipes!”
– Nita
Recipe Tips
- Stir vigorously in the beginning to dissolve the sugar. You want everything to combine into a smooth, even paste before you add the milk. Once you add the milk, it’s hard to get the lumps out.
- Keep whisking as the chocolate melts. This helps the chocolate chips melt evenly into the milk instead of settling onto the bottom of the saucepan.
- Use gentle heat after adding the chocolate. High heat can scorch the chocolate and milk before everything has a chance to melt together.
Troubleshooting
Cocoa powder tends to clump when it hits liquid, especially if you don’t whisk it right away. Add it to the boiling water gradually while whisking continuously. Any small lumps should smooth out before the milk goes in.
That usually happens when milk gets too hot or sits for a while after heating. Keep the mixture below a boil and serve it soon after it comes off the stove. If a skin does form, whisk the hot chocolate again before pouring.
The heat was probably too high or the mixture sat without being stirred. Keep the burner at medium once you add the milk and whisk regularly, especially after adding the chocolate chips.
Comments
I want to try this. At what point would you add cinnamon or peppermint extract?
I love that idea! You would add it off the heat, just like you would with the vanilla extract in the recipe.
Hi I loved the recipe, it made me warm in winter and now I’m all warmed up! thank you so much for this website, it’s amazing, I love it 🤗☕♨️🔥
Aww, so glad you loved the recipe! Thank you, Amaya!!
Very good Hot Chocolate
Glad you enjoyed it!
Do you think this could be reheated in a crockpot and served at a party?
I don’t see why not!
Delicious. I made it with coconut milk and only had dark chocolate chips instead of semi sweet. And just added whipped cream. Don’t really like marshmallows.Turned out very good. Thanks for sharing. 😎
So happy to hear that it turned out well for you and thank you for sharing!
This is my favourite.
So happy to hear that, Ramu!
skip the marshmallows or even whipped cream. A good dollop of frozen vanilla yogurt is THE ONLY WAY TO GO!
The flavors can’t be matched. We’ve made this (Granny’s) recipe forever but the last 20 years we’ve used frozen vanilla yogurt as a topper. DIVINE❤️❤️
Yum, sounds so good!
If we are to use this recipe for the hot cocoa balls, we use only the cane sugar and cocoa powder right?
You can also add a few semi-sweet chocolate chips!
I used regular milk and it tastes delicious. Thank you for sharing great recipes!
That’s amazing! You’re so welcome!
Perfect recipe! Will make all winter long ❄️❄️❄️
Thank you so much! Yay!!
How many servings does this make? It uses for cups of liquid so don’t think it’s for just one?
Hi! This makes 2 servings. Hope you enjoy it!