Stovetop homemade hot chocolate is easy to make, full of rich chocolatey flavor and the perfect winter treat. Whip up this delicious drink in less than 15 minutes and enjoy with friends and family all season long!
Growing up, one of the treats we always had was hot chocolate. My mom would usually make us some after we’d come in from sledding or playing in the snow. It was a drink of comfort, and absolutely delicious! As I’ve grown older, my tastes have changed and I no longer crave that sugary powdered pre-made hot chocolate I once did. BUT now that I have kids of my own, I love to treat them with some hot chocolate every once and a while. Since I try to make a lot from scratch, I decided to create my very own stovetop hot chocolate!
This stovetop homemade hot chocolate recipe is simple, made from scratch and is rich in flavor. It has the perfect amount of sweetness and is totally customizable! You can add additional flavorings and toppings to your liking. Of course, this isn’t as convenient as heating milk or water in a cup and adding some powdered hot chocolate to it, but it takes less than 15 minutes, makes enough for at least four people and can be cooled and refrigerated to reheat on a different day! Let me show you just how easy it is to make!
PIN FOR LATER!
HOW TO MAKE EASY HOMEMADE STOVETOP HOT CHOCOLATE
TOOLS YOU MAY NEED
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Container or jug with a lid for storage (optional)
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
HOW TO MAKE STOVETOP HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE
To a sauce pan, add milk, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, brown sugar and salt and place over low-medium heat.
Whisking occasionally, allow the milk to warm and the chocolate chips to melt, continue whisking until the mixture is warm and steamy, not boiling, and homogenous. This should take about 10 minutes or so.
Take the pan off the burner and add the vanilla.
Serve warm with whipped cream or marshmallows!
NOTES
- Whole milk works best, but I’ve used low fat milk in this recipe and it tastes great too.
- I use semi-sweet chocolate chips because that’s what I keep on hand, but dark or milk chocolate work just as well in this recipe.
- If this hot chocolate is too rich for your taste, add more milk or heavy cream!
- Add more or less brown sugar depending on the level of sweetness you desire.
- Store the cooled hot chocolate in a jar with an airtight lid, like a mason jar, for up to a week in the refrigerator (or prior to the milk’s expiration date).
- Reheat the cooled hot chocolate in a sauce pan or in the microwave to enjoy again. Don’t reheat more than once.
- This hot chocolate could be made and stored in a crockpot if you are making it for a crowd and want it on hand throughout the day.
OPTIONAL TOPPINGS & ADD-INS
- Add a few drops of peppermint extract to make this into peppermint hot chocolate.
- Stir in some chocolate syrup or caramel sauce.
- Top with homemade whipped cream or cool whip and add sprinkles on top!
- Add some mini marshmallows or make your own, like these!
Homemade Hot Chocolate
Stovetop homemade hot chocolate is easy to make, full of rich chocolatey flavor and the perfect winter treat. Whip up this delicious drink in less than 15 minutes and enjoy with friends and family all season long!
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- To a sauce pan, add milk, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, brown sugar and salt and place over low-medium heat.
- Whisking occasionally, allow the milk to warm and the chocolate chips to melt, continue whisking until the mixture is warm and steamy, not boiling, and homogenous. This should take about 10 minutes or so.
- Take the pan off the burner and add the vanilla.
- Serve warm with whipped cream or marshmallows!
Notes
- Whole milk works best, but I've used low fat milk in this recipe and it tastes great too.
- I use semi-sweet chocolate chips because that's what I keep on hand, but dark or milk chocolate work just as well in this recipe.
- If this hot chocolate is too rich for your taste, add more milk or heavy cream!
- Add more or less brown sugar depending on the level of sweetness you desire.
- Store the cooled hot chocolate in a jar with an airtight lid, like a mason jar, for up to a week in the refrigerator (or prior to the milk's expiration date).
- Reheat the cooled hot chocolate in a sauce pan or in the microwave to enjoy again. Don't reheat more than once.
- This hot chocolate could be made and stored in a crockpot if you are making it for a crowd and want it on hand throughout the day.
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 136Total Fat 6gSaturated Fat 3gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 2gCholesterol 10mgSodium 92mgCarbohydrates 17gFiber 1gSugar 15gProtein 5g
Nutrition facts can vary based on different brands of ingredients and does not account for substitutions. This nutrition information is only an estimate.
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Did you make this stovetop homemade hot chocolate? If you enjoyed it, I’d really appreciate if you came back and gave the recipe a five star rating! Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation of this recipe!
Jayden says
Mmm yum!!! I can’t wait to try this. I’ve tried a recipe before with just pure maple syrup and cocoa powder and milk. I like that this has a little more to it LOL the other stuff just didn’t hit the spot but I don’t want to use packets! This looks so so delicious!! Thank you!
thesimplehomeplace says
Thank you so much! And I’m with you, I don’t like the packets. We really enjoy this recipe!
Elli says
This looks delicious! Iโm excited to try this!
thesimplehomeplace says
Thank you!
Nicki says
This sounds heavenly! Does it get any better with chocolate chips and brown sugar?! Thanks for sharing! Pinned for later!
thesimplehomeplace says
Thank you!!
Elizabeth Kaiser says
This looks and sounds amazing!! I can’t wait to make this for my kids on snow days this year!
thesimplehomeplace says
Thank you! I hope you all enjoy it!
Dawn Conklin says
Love this homemade hot chocolate, it is so easy to make and tastes so amazing. Perfect for the cooler weather and so much better then the store bought packets!
thesimplehomeplace says
Thank you so much! I’m glad you liked it!
Julia says
It was a snow day and I had all the ingredients laying around so I decided to make this for my sister and Iโฆ. I doubled the recipe in case anyone else wanted some and it turned out amazing! It was so quick and easy and my whole family loved it. It was perfect for a round of chess and some Harry Potter. Definitely will make it again!
thesimplehomeplace says
Julia, I’m so glad you enjoyed the hot chocolate! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment ๐
Linda Spatig says
I just used this recipe and didnโt even realize it was yours until after Arica! Great recipe. Very chocolatey. It was so nice to find it in Google search.
thesimplehomeplace says
Oh my goodness, thank you Linda!!
Sandi says
This was delish! The kids loved the original recipe and I added a little pecan pie whiskey to the adults portion and it was so good as well. YUM
thesimplehomeplace says
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it! And oh my goodness, that little addition sounds amazing!
Doris Butler says
I am having my two elementary school age great-nieces over this weekend to decorate my tree for me and I am going to make this for them. Thinking of a hot chocolate bar. They would love it!!
thesimplehomeplace says
Oh I hope they love it and I hope you have a wonderful time decorating!