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Cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on a wooden table.

Hot Chocolate – Creamy Winter Comfort Drink

A rich and creamy homemade hot chocolate made with real cocoa powder, milk, and a touch of vanilla. This cozy drink is perfect for cold winter days and tastes just like your favorite café version — only better.
Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: International
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 500 ml whole milk
  • 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tbsp sugar (or to taste)
  • 50 g dark chocolate (chopped)
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Whipped cream (for topping)
  • Chocolate shavings or cocoa (for garnish)

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Measuring cups
  • Mugs for serving

Method
 

  1. Heat the milk: Pour milk into a saucepan and warm it over medium heat until hot but not boiling.
    Heating milk in a saucepan on the stove to prepare hot chocolate.
  2. Add cocoa and sugar: Whisk in cocoa powder and sugar until fully dissolved and smooth.
    Adding cocoa powder and sugar into warm milk for creamy hot chocolate.
  3. Melt the chocolate: Add chopped dark chocolate and stir until melted and creamy.
    Melting dark chocolate pieces in a saucepan while making homemade hot chocolate.
  4. Add vanilla: Stir in vanilla extract and whisk for another 30 seconds to combine.
    Pouring vanilla extract into a saucepan of rich hot chocolate.
  5. Serve: Pour into mugs, top with whipped cream, and sprinkle with chocolate shavings.
    Pouring creamy hot chocolate from a saucepan into a ceramic mug.

Notes

For a thicker version, add 1 teaspoon of cornstarch to the milk before heating. You can also make it dairy-free by using oat or almond milk.