Hot Chocolate
Once you try this creamy Hot Chocolate, you’ll never go back to store-bought mixes—it’s so easy and so good!
Servings: 4 cups of hot chocolate
Cost: $1.86
Equipment
Ingredients
Base Hot Chocolate Recipe
- 1/4 cup Dutch process cocoa powder special Dark Hershey’s, see note 1
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream or 1 more cup of milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Toppings
- Whipped cream
- Miniature marshmallows or dehydrated marshmallows
- Chocolate shavings using a vegetable peeler, peel a chocolate bar!
Variation Ideas
- Orange extract see note 2
- peppermint extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a saucepan or pot, whisk together the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt.
- Stir in the milk and cream and whisk until smooth. Bring the hot chocolate to your desired serving temperature.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Pour into cups or mugs and garnish as desired with whatever add-ins you’d like!
Notes
Note 1: I don’t recommend plain cocoa powder (way less flavor!). Hershey’s® “Special Dark” cocoa powder is a Dutch-process cocoa powder that is readily found at most grocery stores. This is my favorite cocoa powder.
Note 2: Instead of vanilla extract, try orange extract for an orange hot chocolate or peppermint extract for a minty hot chocolate.
Nutrition Note: Nutrition information does not include whipped cream or toppings.
Storage: This is best enjoyed fresh. If you have leftovers, store them in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat on the stovetop.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 224kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 18mg | Sodium: 81mg | Potassium: 326mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 297IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 216mg | Iron: 1mg