This creamy hot chocolate recipe is rich, silky, and made with real chocolate for the ultimate cozy drink. Quick to make, extra smooth, and absolutely delicious!
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 6 oz chopped chocolate semi-sweet, dark, or a mix
- 6-8 tbsp granulated white sugar adjust to taste
- 2 tsp vanilla bean paste or extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp cold milk (this will be mixed with the cornstarch)
Instructions
- Add the whole milk and heavy cream to a saucepan. Heat over medium until steaming, but not boiling.
- Whisk in the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt until smooth.
- If using cornstarch, whisk together 1 tsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp cold milk to make a slurry. Pour into the pot and gently simmer for about 1 minute to activate and thicken slightly.
- Turn the heat to low and whisk in the chopped chocolate until fully melted and glossy.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream, marshmallows, or chocolate shavings. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Chocolate: Use high-quality chocolate bars instead of chips — bars melt smoothly and give a richer flavor. I like using a mix of semi-sweet and dark chocolate for the perfect balance.
- Milk Options: Whole milk creates the creamiest texture, but you can use 2% or oat milk if preferred. For a dairy-free version, coconut cream adds amazing richness.
- Make Ahead: You can make this up to 3 days in advance and store it in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove while whisking until smooth again.
- Cornstarch: This is optional, but it makes the hot chocolate extra silky — like European drinking chocolate. Just whisk it with cold milk first to avoid lumps.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
The Best Creamy Hot Chocolate Recipe (Rich & Silky)
Amount per Serving
Calories
655
% Daily Value*
Fat
42
g
65
%
Saturated Fat
26
g
163
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
7
g
Cholesterol
97
mg
32
%
Sodium
113
mg
5
%
Potassium
640
mg
18
%
Carbohydrates
63
g
21
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
56
g
62
%
Protein
11
g
22
%
Vitamin A
1282
IU
26
%
Vitamin C
0.4
mg
0
%
Calcium
386
mg
39
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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