Creamy Hot Chocolate

5 from 2 votes

This Creamy Hot Chocolate is quick to make in just 10 minutes and it's made with real chocolate, no cocoa powder! It's truly the most luxurious homemade hot cocoa recipe. A little bit goes a long way!

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: christmas, holidays

Servings: servings

Calories: 453kcal

Ingredients

1 tablespoon cornstarch
4 cups milk divided
4 ounces dark chocolate bars (60% cacao) chopped
4 ounces milk chocolate chips
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspooon vanilla extract
Pinch of Salt
Topping Options: marshmallows, whipped cream, shaved chocolate, crushed peppermint, cinnamon

Instructions

To a medium saucepan on medium heat, add 3 ½ cups of milk. To the reserved ½ cup of milk, whisk in cornstarch until blended well and set aside.
When bubbles appear around edge of the pan, add both chocolates, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt and stir until smooth.
Whisk in the cornstarch milk mixture.
Taste a spoonful to see if it’s at your desired sweetness. Bring to a light boil, then immediately reduce to simmer for 5 minutes.
Turn off the heat and either rest for 5 minutes prior to serving or pour in a Crockpot set to warm. As it cools, it will continue to thicken. Serve with your favorite hot chocolate topping.

Video

Notes

Quality Chocolate: Use high-quality dark chocolate with a cocoa content of at least 60%. The higher the cocoa content, the richer and more intense the chocolate flavor will be.

Thickening Agents: Besides cornstarch, you can use arrowroot powder or tapioca starch as alternatives for thickening the hot chocolate. These starches work similarly to cornstarch and provide a smooth, thick texture.

Alternative Sweeteners: Experiment with natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup. These alternatives can add sweetness while contributing to the overall thickness.

Nut Butters: Add a small spoonful of almond butter, peanut butter, or hazelnut spread to your hot chocolate. These nut butters not only add thickness but also impart a delightful nutty flavor.

Coconut Cream: Replace regular milk with coconut cream for a dairy-free, thick hot chocolate. Coconut cream adds richness and a subtle coconut flavor, making it a popular choice for thickening.

Spices and Flavorings: Enhance the flavor and thickness by adding spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.

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