Hot Chocolate With Chocolate Chips (No Cocoa Powder!)

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It's hot chocolate season so get your largest most festive mugs ready! 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.

You can use any kind of chocolate from milk to semi-sweet to dark chocolate chips (like I use in my chocolate chip cookie dip!) And don't forget to add these festive hot chocolate spoons both kids and adults will love!

Pair a cup with any of these cookies recipes for the holidays!

I am happy to share that I partnered with Dairy Council of Florida to bring you this deliciously cheesy snack!

☕Hot Chocolate Ingredients

• Chocolate- Any chocolate works but I recommend using the best quality chocolate you have! *See my recommended chocolate brands below!
• Milk/Cream- I recommend using a mixture of whole milk & cream to get the creamiest hot chocolate.
• Vanilla Extract- Vanilla adds a delicious flavor that I love!

Instructions

Step 1: Heat milk in a saucepan until just simmering but not boiling.

Step 2: Turn off heat and mix in vanilla and chocolate of choice until the chocolate is fully melted.

Step 3: Pour into mug and top with toppings of choice. *See topping recommendations below.

NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

Chocolate Recommendations

This recipe uses milk chocolate which is already made with sugar. That's why sugar is not an ingredient.

If you want to use dark chocolate or semi-sweet, I highly recommend adding about 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar to each cup.

Here are some good chocolate brands you can use:

✔ Godiva

✔ Ghiradelli

✔ Nestle

✔ Hersheys

✔ Dove

Chocolate Bar, Wafers or Chips?

You can use any type of chocolate you wish in your hot chocolate however you want your chocolate to be cut into small pieces so it melts easier.

If using a bar of chocolate, shaving it or cutting it into small chunks is best.

Chocolate bars are higher quality chocolate compared to chips and wafers, which have fats and other ingredients that can affect the taste and melting properties.

Chocolate chips are best for cookies and my edible brownie batter!

Here is a list of the best melting chocolates.

Hot Chocolate Toppings

Anything sweet would really be divine on hot chocolate but here are some of my favorite topping recommendations!

• Homemade whipped cream (or try my Bourbon whipped cream or pumpkin whipped cream!)
• Crushed peppermint
• Chocolate shavings
• Chocolate or caramel syrup
• Gingerbread cookies
• Christmas or holiday sprinkles
• Mini marshmallows

Expert Tips

• Don't boil your milk. You want to just warm it up enough for the chocolate to melt.
• Use the best chocolate you can find with minimal additives.
• 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 to get the richest, creamiest hot cocoa.
• Add in peanut butter chips for a chocolate peanut butter flavor.

Extra Hot Chocolate?

Keep your cooled hot chocolate in a sealed container or pitcher in the fridge for at least a week. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave until heated through. Mix well to re-incorporate the chocolate.

FAQ's

What is the metling point of chocolate?

Most chocolate melts between 85-90 degrees F.

My hot chocolate is not very sweet.

Add a half to one tablespoon of powdered sugar to your hot chocolate. Sweeten to your liking.

What is the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa?

Although some people thing one is sweeter or richer than the other, they both are the same thing.

Other chocolate treats you'll love:

Gooey Chocolate Chip Vanilla Pudding Cookies

Raw Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites

Chocolate Chip Cake Mix Cookies

Sea Salt Chocolate Covered Potato Chips

Aleka Shunk

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 minsCook Time 5 minutes minsTotal Time 7 minutes mins Servings: 4 peopleCourse: Dessert, DrinksCuisine: AmericanCalories: 401 Ingredients Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients 1x2x3x?

• 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.

Nutrition

Calories: 401kcalCarbohydrates: 61.4gProtein: 3.6gFat: 16.2gSaturated Fat: 9.9gCholesterol: 73mgSodium: 139mgFiber: 0.4gSugar: 48.7g

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.

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!