Creamy Snow Day Hot Chocolate Recipe Easy Homemade from Scratch
A rich, velvety homemade hot chocolate made from simple ingredients, perfect for cozy snow days and chilly evenings. This recipe is quick, easy, and customizable for dairy-free or spiced variations.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (480 ml) whole milk (or any dairy or plant-based milk like oat or almond)
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (can substitute coconut sugar or maple syrup)
- Pinch of salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 oz (30 g) chopped dark chocolate (optional)
- Whipped cream or marshmallows for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Measure 2 cups (480 ml) of whole milk and pour into a small saucepan.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons sugar, and a pinch of salt.
- Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and slowly warm the milk until hot but not boiling (about 160°F to 180°F).
- Gradually whisk the dry cocoa and sugar mixture into the hot milk, stirring continuously to prevent lumps and dissolve the cocoa powder (about 2-3 minutes).
- Let the mixture simmer gently for another 2 minutes, whisking frequently to thicken slightly and meld flavors, avoiding boiling or scorching.
- Remove from heat and whisk in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. If using, add 1 oz chopped dark chocolate and stir until melted and smooth.
- Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream or marshmallows if desired. Optionally, sprinkle cocoa powder or chocolate shavings on top.
Notes
Heat milk slowly to avoid burning or curdling. Whisk cocoa powder and sugar together before adding to milk to prevent lumps. Add vanilla extract off the heat to preserve flavor. Stir in chopped dark chocolate at the end for extra richness. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 2 days and reheat gently.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240 ml)
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 8
- Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 20
- Protein: 8
Keywords: hot chocolate, homemade hot chocolate, creamy hot chocolate, snow day drink, easy hot chocolate, dairy-free hot chocolate, cozy drink