Hot Chocolate Recipe

About Hot Chocolate

There is nothing more delightful than wrapping your hands around a mug of rich and luscious hot chocolate on a cold winter night. Or day! And when I need something to really uplift my mood, I turn to this homemade hot cocoa recipe. In fact, there’s always a block of chocolate in the kitchen for whenever a need arises – no matter what the weather. Making a delicious, satisfying mug of this chocolate drink is as easy as 1-2-3! You simply:

Hot Chocolate vs Hot Cocoa

Most of us are familiar with powdered hot cocoa mix, either in packets or tins. Sure these will work well in a pinch. However, the consistency tends to be rather grainy without any creaminess, even when the powder is blended with milk. And what you are making is Hot Cocoa and not Hot Chocolate. Hot chocolate features real chocolate and not cocoa powder. Hot cocoa is much lighter and less richer. It simply made with milk, cocoa powder and sweeteners like sugar or maple syrup. For a truly enjoyable hot chocolate drink, using real quality chocolate is the key. In this recipe I use a couverture chocolate bar. The term “couverture” simply refers to any high-quality chocolate confection that contains at least 31% cocoa butter; and it’s the cocoa butter than gives the beverage that perfectly creamy and smooth texture with an amazingly decadent taste. But there are a few differences in the kinds of solid chocolate you can use.

Which Chocolate To Use?

Type of Chocolate: As mentioned above, I prefer couverture chocolate for its creaminess and depth of flavor. You can choose to use this or compound chocolate – which includes vegetable oil additives instead of cocoa butter. Or, you can use both couverture chocolate and compound chocolate. Percentage of Cacao: There are several degrees of cacao percentages in different kinds of chocolate, ranging from more to less bitter/sweet. The higher the percentage of cacao the more bitter the confection will be. Use your choice of semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, milk chocolate, or even dark chocolate if you like. Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips or callets work just as well as chocolate bars to make hot cocoa!

How to Make Hot Chocolate

Prep Chocolate and Heat Milk

1. First, chop 50 grams (1.76 ounces) of semi-sweet chocolate or other chocolate of choice. You will need 6 to 7 tablespoons of chopped chocolate (at room temperature).
2. Add the chopped chocolate to a small mixing bowl. Set aside
3. Now add 2 cups of full-fat milk or whole milk in a saucepan.
4. Add 2 tablespoons unrefined raw sugar, white granulate sugar, or maple syrup. Depending on the type of chocolate you use and how sweet it is, you can add less or more sugar.
5. Turn the heat to medium-low and begin to heat the milk. Stir frequently, so that the sugar gets dissolved.
6. As soon as the milk reaches a low simmer or gentle boil, turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove. Place the pan on the countertop. You do not want the milk to heavily boil or scorch on the bottom.

Melt Chocolate

7. Then add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the hot milk to the bowl containing chopped chocolate.
8. Whisk well to melt the chocolate.
9. It should be completely smooth, like in the picture below. If the melted chocolate mixture looks grainy it means that the milk was very hot.

Make Hot Chocolate

10. Now pour this melted chocolate into the hot milk in the saucepan. Note that the saucepan is kept on the countertop and not on the burner.
11. Mix very well with the whisk.
12. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir and mix again.
13. Pour hot chocolate in mugs or cups.

Garnish and Serving Suggestions

14. If you like, top each mug with 1 to 2 tablespoons of whipped cream (or whipping cream) or heavy cream. If you have pre-made or canned whipped cream, use it or simply add either heavy or whipping cream. Tip: Have the whipped cream ready to use at room temperature, not cold. If the cream is chilled it will quickly make the hot chocolate lukewarm.
15. Sprinkle some cocoa powder, chocolate shavings or gratings on top. You can also top with 1 to 2 vegetarian marshmallows or chocolate sauce or caramel sauce or chocolate sprinkles.
16. Serve Hot Chocolate immediately while hot or warm. Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter. Masala Chai Recipe | Indian Milk Tea Filter Coffee | South Indian Coffee Recipe Ginger Tea Recipe (Adrak Chai) Hot Coffee | Beaten Coffee (Cafe Style) This Hot Chocolate recipe post from the archives, first published on Feb 2020 has been updated and republished on December 2021.

title: “Hot Chocolate Recipe " ShowToc: true date: “2024-09-03” author: “Elizabeth Smykowski”

About Hot Chocolate

There is nothing more delightful than wrapping your hands around a mug of rich and luscious hot chocolate on a cold winter night. Or day! And when I need something to really uplift my mood, I turn to this homemade hot cocoa recipe. In fact, there’s always a block of chocolate in the kitchen for whenever a need arises – no matter what the weather. Making a delicious, satisfying mug of this chocolate drink is as easy as 1-2-3! You simply:

Hot Chocolate vs Hot Cocoa

Most of us are familiar with powdered hot cocoa mix, either in packets or tins. Sure these will work well in a pinch. However, the consistency tends to be rather grainy without any creaminess, even when the powder is blended with milk. And what you are making is Hot Cocoa and not Hot Chocolate. Hot chocolate features real chocolate and not cocoa powder. Hot cocoa is much lighter and less richer. It simply made with milk, cocoa powder and sweeteners like sugar or maple syrup. For a truly enjoyable hot chocolate drink, using real quality chocolate is the key. In this recipe I use a couverture chocolate bar. The term “couverture” simply refers to any high-quality chocolate confection that contains at least 31% cocoa butter; and it’s the cocoa butter than gives the beverage that perfectly creamy and smooth texture with an amazingly decadent taste. But there are a few differences in the kinds of solid chocolate you can use.

Which Chocolate To Use?

Type of Chocolate: As mentioned above, I prefer couverture chocolate for its creaminess and depth of flavor. You can choose to use this or compound chocolate – which includes vegetable oil additives instead of cocoa butter. Or, you can use both couverture chocolate and compound chocolate. Percentage of Cacao: There are several degrees of cacao percentages in different kinds of chocolate, ranging from more to less bitter/sweet. The higher the percentage of cacao the more bitter the confection will be. Use your choice of semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, milk chocolate, or even dark chocolate if you like. Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips or callets work just as well as chocolate bars to make hot cocoa!

How to Make Hot Chocolate

Prep Chocolate and Heat Milk

1. First, chop 50 grams (1.76 ounces) of semi-sweet chocolate or other chocolate of choice. You will need 6 to 7 tablespoons of chopped chocolate (at room temperature).
2. Add the chopped chocolate to a small mixing bowl. Set aside
3. Now add 2 cups of full-fat milk or whole milk in a saucepan.
4. Add 2 tablespoons unrefined raw sugar, white granulate sugar, or maple syrup. Depending on the type of chocolate you use and how sweet it is, you can add less or more sugar.
5. Turn the heat to medium-low and begin to heat the milk. Stir frequently, so that the sugar gets dissolved.
6. As soon as the milk reaches a low simmer or gentle boil, turn off the heat and remove the pan from the stove. Place the pan on the countertop. You do not want the milk to heavily boil or scorch on the bottom.

Melt Chocolate

7. Then add 2 to 3 tablespoons of the hot milk to the bowl containing chopped chocolate.
8. Whisk well to melt the chocolate.
9. It should be completely smooth, like in the picture below. If the melted chocolate mixture looks grainy it means that the milk was very hot.

Make Hot Chocolate

10. Now pour this melted chocolate into the hot milk in the saucepan. Note that the saucepan is kept on the countertop and not on the burner.
11. Mix very well with the whisk.
12. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir and mix again.
13. Pour hot chocolate in mugs or cups.

Garnish and Serving Suggestions

14. If you like, top each mug with 1 to 2 tablespoons of whipped cream (or whipping cream) or heavy cream. If you have pre-made or canned whipped cream, use it or simply add either heavy or whipping cream. Tip: Have the whipped cream ready to use at room temperature, not cold. If the cream is chilled it will quickly make the hot chocolate lukewarm.
15. Sprinkle some cocoa powder, chocolate shavings or gratings on top. You can also top with 1 to 2 vegetarian marshmallows or chocolate sauce or caramel sauce or chocolate sprinkles.
16. Serve Hot Chocolate immediately while hot or warm. Please be sure to rate the recipe in the recipe card or leave a comment below if you have made it. For more vegetarian inspirations, Sign Up for my emails or follow me on Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter. Masala Chai Recipe | Indian Milk Tea Filter Coffee | South Indian Coffee Recipe Ginger Tea Recipe (Adrak Chai) Hot Coffee | Beaten Coffee (Cafe Style) This Hot Chocolate recipe post from the archives, first published on Feb 2020 has been updated and republished on December 2021.