Description
This classic stovetop hot chocolate recipe creates a rich and creamy warm drink perfect for cozy evenings. Made with milk, cocoa powder, brown sugar, and melted semi-sweet chocolate, it delivers the perfect balance of chocolatey sweetness and velvety texture. Enhanced with vanilla extract and a pinch of sea salt, this homemade hot chocolate is easy to prepare and customizable for dairy-free or sweeter variations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped semi-sweet chocolate or chocolate chips
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Generous pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, cocoa powder, and brown sugar until smooth.
- Heat Gently: Place the saucepan over medium heat and whisk frequently until the mixture is steaming and tiny bubbles form around the edges, taking care not to let it boil.
- Melt Chocolate: Reduce heat to low. Add the chopped semi-sweet chocolate or chocolate chips and stir continuously until fully melted and incorporated.
- Finish and Serve: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of sea salt. Serve immediately, optionally topped with whipped cream or marshmallows for a decadent touch.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute oat milk and use vegan chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate.
- To make it sweeter, use milk chocolate in place of semi-sweet chocolate and/or increase the sugar by one tablespoon.
- If the hot chocolate is too rich for children, add water to dilute to desired taste and texture.
- Single serving variation: 1 cup milk, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips, drop vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
