Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (2024)

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (1)

There are so many words to describe hot chocolate: decadent, creamy, velvety, and rich all apply to a piping-hot mug of cocoa. So why would you want to use a packet of dry mix ever again? With one look at our list of the best hot chocolate recipes out there, you'll realize what you've been missing out on. After all, winter only lasts for a few months, so you'll definitely want to make your winter drink indulgences count. Curl up with a Christmas movie and a batch of Nutella hot chocolate, or make a mug of sugar cookie hot chocolate (yes, that's a real thing) to keep you company while wrapping gifts. Whip up two servings of slow cooker hot chocolate when your family and friends come over on Christmas Eve (and maybe even add a spirit to make it into a co*cktail). We guarantee there won't be any left.

You can also pair one of these hot chocolate recipes with any Christmas dessert for the ultimate sweet ending to your holiday meal or weeknight dinner. After all, hot cocoa helps to bring out the natural flavors of gingerbread cookies, red velvet cake, and Christmas candy even more, right? Right. Choose your favorite here, and don't forget to pile on plenty of toppings. Those marshmallows, crushed up candy canes, and chocolate shavings won't serve themselves!

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1

Liquid Gold Tahini Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (3)

Anything called "liquid gold" is good in our book. Adding tahini to this hot chocolate gives it a subtle nuttiness while boosting its thickness.

Get the recipe at Broma Bakery.

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2

Kahlúa Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (5)

Cinnamon, nutmeg, salted caramel, and Kahlúa make this hot chocolate a winter staple—guaranteed to keep you warm on a snowy day.

Get the recipe at Damn Delicious.

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3

French Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (7)

Take decadence to a whole new level by using heavy cream and powdered sugar for this dark chocolate treat. Fresh whipped cream tops off the heavenly drink.

Get the recipe at The Sweetest Occasion.

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4

Chocolate Hot Buttered Rum

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (9)

Who needs milk when you've got butter and rum? Any drink described as "liquid brownie batter" sounds like something we all need in our lives ASAP.

Get the recipe at The Cookie Rookie.

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5

Vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (11)

Cayenne pepper plus cinnamon plus hot chocolate equals the perfect combination of spicy, sweet, and overall delicious. This recipe has the added plus of being vegan, using coconut milk and dairy-free chocolate.

Get the recipe at Ambitious Kitchen.

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6

Malted Milk Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (13)

Truly enhance your hot chocolate experience by adding malted milk powder as this recipe calls for. Plus, the instructions tell you how to make extra dry mix so you can keep it on hand for a quick treat.

Get the recipe at The Cookie Rookie.

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7

Vanilla Mocha Hot Cocoa

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (15)

Coffee lovers who want a bold hot chocolate blend will be obsessed with this decadent recipe that combines coffee, dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and maple syrup.

Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest.

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8

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (17)

You love the classic combination of peanut butter and chocolate in solid form, so trust us when we say it's even better swirling around together in this silky-smooth recipe.

Get the recipe at Nutmeg Nanny.

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9

Peppermint White Hot Chocolate Recipe

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (19)

Think that white hot chocolate won't be as creamy or sweet as milk chocolate varieties? Think again: With three cups of light cream, milk, and plenty of white chocolate chips, this is the indulgent hot cocoa recipe you've been waiting for.

Get the recipe at Le Creme de la Crumb.

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10

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

After you find out you can easily prepare this creamy hot chocolate in your slow cooker (and that it tastes so much better than a mix), you'll never want to use another recipe again.

Get the recipe at Dinner at the Zoo.

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11

Nutella Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (23)

As if this hot chocolate recipe doesn't sound perfect in every way already, you'll be even more delighted to know it only calls for two ingredients. Yep—Nutella and milk is all it takes to create total bliss in a mug.

Get the recipe at Gimme Some Oven.

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12

White Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (25)

A dollop of our 7-Minute Frosting makes this delicious drink even more decadent.

Get the recipe.

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13

Sugar Cookie Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (27)

Sweetened condensed milk is the secret ingredient for this extra creamy blend. The best treat to enjoy while sipping this beverage? Sugar cookies, of course!

Get the recipe at Half Baked Harvest.

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14

Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (29)

Let your slow cooker do all the work whipping up this boozy concoction.

Get the recipe at The Cookie Rookie.

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15

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (31)

Anything that can be made in a slow cooker and looks this good is something that should definitely be on your "winter day activities" list.

Get the recipe at Sally's Baking Addiction.

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16

Blackberry Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (33)

While blackberries might seem like an odd pairing wit hot chocolate, the rich tartness of them helps add another layer an otherwise sweet drink.

Get the recipe at Little Sugar Snaps.

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17

Snickerdoodle Hot Cocoa

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (35)

We never met a snickerdoodle we didn't like.

Get the recipe at Lemon Tree Dwelling.

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18

Cookies and Cream Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (37)

This hot chocolate variation packs a two-for-one punch so you can have your cookies and drink them, too.

Get the recipe at Sprinkle Some Sugar.

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19

Red Velvet Hot Cocoa

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (39)

Can't get enough red velvet? This is the hot chocolate for you.

Get the recipe at Heather's French Press.

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20

Baileys Irish Cream Hot Chocolate

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (41)

Serve this Baileys hot chocolate at your Christmas party, and everyone will be asking you for the recipe.

Get the recipe at Polka Dot Made.

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes for a Decadent Treat (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cocoa powder for hot chocolate? ›

Unsweetened cocoa powder: a high-quality cocoa powder or cacao powder is essential. I highly recommend using Ghirardelli's 100% cocoa. I think it has the best flavor for hot chocolate (and trust me, I've tried quite a few!)

How to make chocolate from scratch? ›

Instructions
  1. Roast cocoa beans to 130c for about 25-35 minutes.
  2. Cool your beans for 6 hours.
  3. Crack and winnow.
  4. Place 700 grams of cocoa nibs in grinder and grind 24 hours. ( pre heat grinder or add some hot air)
  5. Add 300 grams of sugar after 24 hours.
  6. Grind for another 24 hours.
  7. Remove from machine, through a sieve.
Sep 1, 2020

How to make options hot chocolate? ›

Instructions. For a perfect mug of Options, boil water and let it cool slightly. Put 3 teaspoons (11g) of Options into your favourite mug, fill with hot water and stir well. For a creamier drink try adding a dash of milk.

What is the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate? ›

The secret ingredient commonly used in gourmet hot chocolate is often high-quality, finely ground chocolate. This can be in the form of cocoa powder or finely chopped chocolate, adding a rich and intense flavor to the drink.

How do you doctor up hot chocolate mix? ›

Ideas to Customize:
  1. 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or 1-2 drops pure peppermint extract.
  2. 1 shot whiskey, dark rum, or peppermint schnapps.
  3. Pinch kosher salt highly recommended for all flavor combinations.
  4. Pinch espresso powder will enhance the chocolate flavor.

What is difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate? ›

Hot Chocolate is made using solid chocolate melted in warm milk or cream. Hot Cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa with added sugar and dissolved in hot water or hot milk.

Who makes the best hot chocolate? ›

  • Best for Dark Chocolate Lovers. Crow & Moss Honduras Wampusirpi Drinking Chocolate. ...
  • Most Nostalgic. Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix. ...
  • Nostalgic Runner-Up. Nestle Rich Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix. ...
  • Best Spiced. Spicewalla Classic Hot Chocolate. ...
  • Most Spike-able. ...
  • Platonic Ideal. ...
  • Best for Gifting. ...
  • Allergy-Free.
Feb 1, 2024

What are the 4 steps of making chocolate? ›

There are a number of steps to making chocolate: sorting the beans, roasting them, cracking and winnowing them, grinding the beans into a thick liquid and adding sugar, and tempering the final product.

How to make chocolate in 6 steps? ›

The making of chocolate
  1. Step 1: Selecting the beans. ...
  2. Step 2: Harvesting, fermenting and drying. ...
  3. Step 3: Roasting to grinding. ...
  4. Step 4: Crushing to refining. ...
  5. Step 5: Conching-refining. ...
  6. Step 6: Tempering and moulding.

What makes hot chocolate taste better? ›

Use Nutella for a creamier chocolate flavor

Nutella imparts a wonderfully creamy and decadent level to hot chocolate you wouldn't expect from a powdered mix alone. If you want to make hot chocolate with Nutella, you'll first want to bring your milk up to a simmering temperature.

How do they make McDonald's hot chocolate? ›

McDonald's Hot Chocolate recipe features steamed whole milk with rich hot chocolate syrup and is finished with whipped light cream and chocolate drizzle. Available in small, medium and large sizes. There are 370 calories in a small Hot Chocolate from McDonald's.

How to make Cardi B hot chocolate? ›

Directions
  1. Pour the milk into a mug and heat it up in the microwave for a few seconds.
  2. Stir in the hot cocoa mix with a spoon or knife.
  3. Add in Bailey's Irish Cream to taste leaving room for whipped cream.
  4. Add the peppermint-flavored whip shots on top.
  5. Sprinkles or chocolate shavings can be added as a garnish.
Nov 29, 2022

What would taste good in hot chocolate? ›

Sweet add-ins include marshmallows, whipped cream, caramel, flavored spreads, and maple syrup. To transform cocoa into a co*cktail, add flavored liqueurs or traditional spirits. Other unique ways to liven up hot chocolate include adding coffee, spices, and extracts.

What tastes better with hot chocolate? ›

Candy canes: Candy cane in a cup of hot chocolate can bring your childhood back. Sea Salt: Sea salt enhances flavour and texture apart from reducing the bitterness of hot chocolate. Cinnamon: Cinnamon elevates the taste of hot chocolate, just add a pinch of it.

What compliments hot chocolate? ›

Food Pairings: Here Are 5 Delicious Foods You Can Enjoy With Hot Chocolate:
  • Popcorn. Popcorn is one of the most addictive snacks out there. ...
  • Roasted Nuts. If you do not have anything fancy lying around in your kitchen, simply opt for good-old nuts. ...
  • Cookies. ...
  • Strawberries. ...
  • Croissants.
Dec 27, 2023

What toppings can you put on hot chocolate? ›

Move Over Marshmallows: 6 Best Hot Chocolate Toppings To Try
  • Whipped Cream. Whipped cream works well with most of the drinks be it hot coffee or cold. ...
  • Dark Cocoa Powder. ...
  • Caramel Or Chocolate Sauce. ...
  • Berries. ...
  • Chopped Peanuts. ...
  • Crushed Gingerbread Cookies.
Dec 2, 2023

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