The Best Rich Homemade Stovetop Hot Chocolate Recipe

This decadent Homemade Stovetop Hot Chocolate is the perfect treat for those cold winter days. Using simple ingredients and only 5 minutes, you’ll be sipping on the best hot chocolate ever!

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Indulge in this rich and comforting hot cocoa recipe that will warm your soul with every sip! This easy homemade hot chocolate recipe is one of my favorite drinks to make on a super cold day or night, without using the store-bought mixes.

The Players for Homemade Stovetop Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

• Cocoa Powder – I always use a high quality unsweetened cocoa powder like Hershey’s Unsweetened Cocoa Powder.
• Sugar – You’ll need granulated white sugar for this delicious drink.
• Brown Sugar –  I love the addition of light brown sugar in this easy recipe. The molasses in brown sugar introduces notes of toffee, caramel, and a hint of warmth, creating a more satisfying taste.
• Hot Water – You won’t need to use much hot water, but the hot water is what will help melt down our cocoa and sugar mixture before adding the milk.
• Milk – I love a rich, creamy hot cocoa.  By using whole milk in this easy hot chocolate recipe, The fat in whole milk carries and enhances the flavor of the chocolate. This richness is especially important in hot chocolate, where you want a full-bodied, decadent taste.
• Heavy Cream – Because I want a velvety mouthfeel to our cup of hot cocoa, adding some heavy cream or half and half will help achieve that.  If you prefer, you can substitute whole milk for the heavy cream.
• Vanilla Extract – Adding a bit of pure vanilla extract helps bring all of our flavors together while helping to balance out the sweetness of our sugars and cocoa.

Tools:

• Mugs – Use some cute and festive Christmas mugs to pour your homemade stovetop hot chocolate in to!

How to make Homemade Stovetop Hot Chocolate

In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat on your stove top, add your cocoa powder, sugars, and the hot water.  Whisk everything together well.  Allow the mixture to come up to a simmer and add in both your milk and heavy cream, if using. 

Allow the hot chocolate to simmer for a few minutes, stirring occasionally. Be cautious not to let the milk boil.  Once your hot chocolate comes to your desired temperature, remove the sauce pan from the stove, and mix in your vanilla extract.

Pour your homemade stovetop hot chocolate into your favorite mugs and top with additional toppings.  for best results, serve and drink immediately, Enjoy!

Storing and Reheating Instructions

The best part about this creamy hot chocolate recipe is that it stores and reheats well!  To store your leftover hot chocolate, allow it to cool to room temperature before transferring it to a mason jar or large measuring cup. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To reheat this creamy homemade hot chocolate recipe on the stovetop, pour the cold hot chocolate into a small saucepan and heat it over medium heat. Stir frequently to ensure even heating.  To reheat in the microwave, pour the cold hot chocolate into a microwave-safe mug. Heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until it reaches your desired drinking temperature.

Additional Toppings for Homemade Hot Chocolate

If you’re looking to make this delicious homemade hot chocolate recipe even more fun and festive, here are some other topping ideas!

• Mini Marshmallows – This creates a gooey and marshmallowy layer on top of our cup of hot chocolate.
• Mini chocolate chips – Adding mini chocolate chips to the top of your hot chocolate can add texture and more chocolatey goodness to your hot drinks!
• Whipped Cream – A classic choice that adds a light and airy texture to your hot chocolate. You can use flavored whipped cream or make your own by whipping heavy cream with a touch of sugar.
• Caramel Sauce – Drizzle caramel sauce over the hot chocolate for a sweet and buttery flavor.
• Chocolate Shavings – Sprinkle white, milk, or dark chocolate shavings on top for an extra layer of chocolatey goodness.
• Cinnamon Sticks – Adding cinnamon sticks to hot chocolate is a wonderful way to infuse your cup of homemade hot cocoa with warm and aromatic flavors.
• Candy Cane – Adding candy canes to homemade hot chocolate is a delightful and festive way to infuse the drink with a hint of minty sweetness.
• Chocolate Syrup – Drizzle some chocolate syrup on top of your whipped cream for that extra chocolate taste!
• Spices – Adding spices like nutmeg, cinnamon, or a pinch of cayenne, can add a subtle complexity to the flavor of your hot chocolate.

Pin it for Later!

If you end up making this Homemade Stovetop Hot Chocolate, tell me what, if any, additional toppings you added!  Do you like your hot chocolate plain or do you need all the extras?  Let me know I’d love to chat with you!

Looking for sweet treats to pair with your hot chocolate?  Check out these simple recipe ideas next!

• Small Batch Christmas Sugar Cookies Recipe
• Starbucks Copycat Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins
• The Best M&M Monster Cookies with Peanut Butter
• Homemade Lunchbox Mini Funfetti Cupcakes Recipe
• Easy Homemade Fresh Strawberry Sheet Cake Recipe
• Cherry and Almond Thumbprint Cookies
• Delicious and Fudgy Lunchbox Brownies Recipe 
• Arkansas Possum Pie Recipe
• Lunchbox Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

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