Name: Creamy Homemade Hot Cocoa
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 0.75 cup white sugar; 0.33333334326744 cup unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 pinch salt; 0.33333334326744 cup boiling water; 3.5 cups milk; 0.75 teaspoon vanilla extract; 0.5 cup half-and-half cream

Prep Time:

5 mins

Cook Time:

5 mins

Total Time:

10 mins

Servings:

4

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Cozy up with a hot mug of hot chocolate this winter. This hot chocolate recipe is incredibly rich, creamy, and oh-so satisfying.

How to Make Hot Chocolate

You'll find a detailed ingredient list and step-by-step instructions in the recipe below, but let's go over the basics:

Hot Chocolate Ingredients

These are the simple ingredients you'll need to make the best hot chocolate of your entire life:

· Sugar and cocoa powder: This sweet and creamy hot cocoa starts with white sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder.
· Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the chocolatey flavor, but it won't make your hot cocoa taste salty.
· Water: Pour boiling water over the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt.
· Milk: You can use whole, 2 percent, or the alternative milk of your choice.
· Vanilla: A dash of vanilla takes the decadent flavor over the top.
· Half-and-half: Half-and-half is added after the hot chocolate is poured into the mugs, creating a rich texture and cooling the cocoa to a drinkable temperature.

How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate

Here's a very brief overview of what you can expect when you make homemade hot chocolate:

1. Put the dry ingredients in a pan, then whisk in the boiling water.
2. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring constantly, for two minutes.
3. Stir in the milk, remove from the heat, and stir in the vanilla.
4. Pour the hot cocoa into mugs and finish with half-and-half.

Does Hot Chocolate Have Caffeine?

Hot chocolate contains a small amount of caffeine because chocolate is slightly caffeinated. However, it has much less caffeine than coffee, sodas, and many teas. Unless you are very sensitive to caffeine, hot cocoa is unlikely to keep you up at night.

How to Serve Hot Chocolate

This creamy hot chocolate is decadent enough to sip as-is. You can take it up a notch with traditional toppings like marshmallows, homemade whipped cream, or a drizzle of chocolate sauce. For a festive twist and subtle minty flavor, garnish each mug of hot cocoa with a candy cane. Adults may appreciate a shot of Irish cream, amaretto, or peppermint vodka.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"The perfect amount of richness and it would be so easy to double the recipe for more people," according to Danielle K. "I topped mine with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. My kids love marshmallows. Make it your own!"

"Most AMAZING hot cocoa I've ever had," raves Becky. "I substituted half-and-half with a shot of Irish Cream."

"Seriously LOVE this recipe," says Oddessa Shanell Martin. "Good until the very last drop. Kids love it. We add mini marshmallows before we fill our cups and I add whipped cream and sprinkle cinnamon on top."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Ingredients

¾ cup white sugar
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 pinch salt
⅓ cup boiling water
3 ½ cups milk
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup half-and-half cream

Directions

Combine sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a saucepan. Add boiling water and whisk until smooth. Bring mixture to a simmer, stirring continuously to prevent scorching, and cook for 2 minutes.
Stir in milk and heat until very hot without boiling. Remove from heat; add vanilla.
Divide hot cocoa between 4 mugs. Add cream to each mug to cool cocoa to drinking temperature.

Dotdash Meredith Food Studios

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

310	Calories
9g	Fat
53g	Carbs
9g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 310
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 9g	11%
Saturated Fat 5g	27%
Cholesterol 28mg	9%
Sodium 102mg	4%
Total Carbohydrate 53g	19%
Dietary Fiber 2g	9%
Total Sugars 48g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 1mg	4%
Calcium 292mg	22%
Iron 1mg	6%
Potassium 471mg	10%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.