Stove Top Hot Chocolate
An easy homemade hot chocolate recipe that’s ready in 10 minutes. So delicious, you’ll never want to buy the store bought packages again!
I still can’t believe that this year is almost over! Now that the weather has officially turned freezing cold, the only thing that sounds good is a huge mug of hot chocolate. Oh, and a jacket. Actually, once November is here I wear a jacket whenever possible. Like even inside my house with the heater on.
Just me? Tell me I’m not the only one?
Although I’m not a huge fan of the cold weather, it does give me a good reason to drink as much homemade hot chocolate as humanly possible.
I actually had intentions of sharing a hot cocoa mix recipe, but after a few batches, I just couldn’t find one that I loved. After a little frustration, I decided to try a recipe for hot chocolate that could easily be made on the stove instead. Can I just say that I’m sooooo glad I did?
The best part about this easy hot chocolate recipe is that you probably have most of the ingredients right at home. There is half of a bar of milk chocolate in this recipe and while you could probably leave it out, I highly recommend it. The hot chocolate tastes so much richer and creamier with it!
Oh, and did I mention that it only takes about 10 minutes from start to finish to make this hot chocolate? Easy and delicious, now that’s my kind of recipe! Enjoy!
Recipe Ingredients
Stovetop hot chocolate couldn’t be simpler to make, and it calls for just a few ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to make the best hot chocolate from scratch:
- Milk: Any kind of milk will work. I used 2%, but use what you have on hand.
- Cocoa powder: Make sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Granulated sugar: Feel free to adjust the amount of sugar in this recipe to suit your tastes.
- Milk chocolate: I used a Hershey’s milk chocolate bar, but any kind will work.
- Salt: Just a pinch of salt enhances the chocolate flavor and balances out the sweetness of the recipe.
- Vanilla extract: Optional, but recommended. Adds extra flavor!
How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate
It’s easy to make hot chocolate from scratch! Add 1 cup of milk to a large saucepan and mix in the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk until smooth, then stir in the remaining milk.
Heat the mixture until it’s warm, then remove from the heat. Stir in the chocolate and whisk until fully combined. I also like to whisk in some vanilla extract, but this is completely optional!
Hot Chocolate Toppings to Try
You can keep things simple and garnish your homemade hot chocolate with marshmallows, or you can try one (or more!) of the following toppings:
- Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce
- Whipped Cream
- Dulce de Leche
- Crushed peppermint candies
- Chocolate shavings
- Peanut butter
Baking Tips
- When warming the hot chocolate, be careful not to bring it to a boil.
- For a richer stovetop hot chocolate, use dark or semi-sweet chocolate instead of milk chocolate.
- For an extra fancy mug of hot chocolate, try rimming your glass with melted chocolate or chocolate ganache and dipping it in crushed peppermint candies, sprinkles, or another favorite topping.
More Winter Treats to Try!
Stovetop Homemade Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 4 cups (960 ml) milk
- 1/4 cup (22 grams) cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/2 of a 1.55 oz. milk chocolate bar (I used Hershey's)
- Pinch of salt
- Splash of vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
- Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. In a small bowl whisk together the cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and salt. Pour 1 cup of the milk into the sauce pan and add the cocoa powder and sugar mixture. Whisk until smooth and all of the lumps are removed.
- Add the remaining milk and whisk together well. Heat the hot chocolate mixture until very warm, but do not boil.
- Remove the hot chocolate from the heat and add ½ of a bar of milk chocolate. Mix until the chocolate is melted. Add vanilla if desired.
- Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and enjoy!
Notes
Adapted from Hershey’s.
I’m always up for a cup of hot chocolate! This looks soooo simple and fuss-free and perfect for whenever I get that “hot choc” craving! Pretty photos too, Danielle! I love how perfectly arranged the marshmallows are! Pinned. 🙂
Thanks so much, Sarah! Thanks for pinning too 🙂
I’m usually cold pretty much all the time, so when winter hits, I’m bundled up 24/7! And I love drinking hot chcoolate to keep me warm. This stovetop version sounds so good, Danielle! I love that you used cocoa powder and a chocolate bar. So perfect, especially with the mini marshmallows! Pinned!
Glad I’m not the only one, Gayle! I think some people just aren’t made for cold weather haha 🙂
LOVE hot chocolate, so perfect and warming when it’s freezing outside! Definitely gotta try the recipe soon!
I have to admit, I’m totally guilty of using the canned mix. But I love how simple this recipe is! Definitely going to have to try it this Christmas!
I can’t lie I love the store bought mixes too! Hope you enjoy it if you try it Ashley 🙂
Stove Top Hot Cocoa on Christmas Eve this year?…I think yes. Have a Happy Holidays!
Hope you enjoy it, Kaylin! Have a Merry Christmas as well 🙂
I’m feeling cold pretty much all the time and love drinking homemade hot chocolate! Definitely trying the service! Looks great, love the marshmallows on top 🙂
Oh wow! I’ve never melted a milk chocolate bar in my hot chocolate. That sounds incredible!
Your hot chocolate looks so inviting and delicious! I’m always cold too so I love keeping warm with hot drinks. This stove top version sounds amazing! I can just imagine how rich and creamy it must taste with the chocolate bar and it looks perfect with the marshmallows!
Thanks, Kelly!
I’m wearing a jacket right now, Danielle. It doesn’t come off until March! 🙂
Great hot chocolate. Homemade is the best!
Haha this totally made me laugh because I’m wearing one right now too! Thanks, Mir 😉
Yum!! I think stove top versions are always better than a mix anyway! Last year I wanted to make cute little hot cocoa kits for Christmas but I could never get the right flavor so I understand your frustration!
I think they must have some extra little secret when it comes to the little mixes! Thanks, Annie!
I feel like I’m always cold too unless I have the oven cranked and I’m cooking a ton! Hot cocoa is just the thing — I can never get enough. This looks so good and I love that there’s a whole chocolate bar in it!
Hot chocolate is my favorite! This looks so creamy and delicious. Pinned 🙂
Thanks for pinning, Ashley!
Oh Danielle, there’s nothing better than hot chocolate with ACTUAL chocolate in it! I never got the hot chocolate package mixes if I’m honest – it’s just so much better to make it from scratch! Love this recipe, it looks so yummy!
I love making hot cocoa on the stovetop! I hardly ever use store bought any more. Your pictures look so delicious!
Thanks Kelly 🙂
Thanks, Mary Frances! I can’t lie the microwave is a good way to make hot chocolate too, but homemade feels so much more special. Hope you have a Merry Christmas as well 🙂
So many marshmallows – love it!! I’ve had making homemade hot chocolate on my list for awhile now. Sometimes at work I’ll make a packet of dry powder with hot water, buuuut it doesn’t quite have that delicious and creamy taste to it. Your version needs to happen ASAP! 🙂
Nothing better than a classic and amazing stovetop hot chocolate recipe to get you through winter! Love this 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Medha! Hope you had a Merry Christmas!
Hot chocolate is one of my favorite drinks during the winter. Can’t wait to give this recipe a try!!
I always make my hot chocolate this way! So easy + taste 1000 times better than store bought! Yours looks delicious! 🙂
After seeing this post, hot chocolate is seriously ALL I am craving!
Danielle, I am pretty intolerant to the cold, but I’m one of those people that just can’t wear a jacket! I feel like it restricts me to much 🙂 so I end up being cold pretty much a lot of the time! BTW, this hot chocolate looks amazing for taking the chills away! Cute, festive straws too! Love it!
I am always cold too! I’ve been sleeping in a sweatshirt with a hood and pants stuffed into wool socks! All under a down blanket, haha! I think I need to make some of this hot chocolate to warm me up! I’ve actually never made my own before, but I bet it is much better than the packets!
That’s really smart to put some real chocolate bar in with the cocoa! Looks so creamy, dreamy, smooth!
I made this recipe in very large quantities for my dorm at college. The residents raved. They simply could not get enough. We had people coming for seconds and thirds. And fourths! This brought a homey environment to our bleak winter days and brought joy to our humble community. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Dani!
Glad to hear everyone enjoyed the recipe, Rachel! Thanks for sharing 🙂
This hot chocolate is delicious! My daughter and I tried it tonight because she is having a Christmas party tomorrow with a hot chocolate bar at it. We wanted to make sure it turned out and we loved it! Can’t wait to make a big batch of it tomorrow night!!
A hot chocolate bar sounds so fun, Christine! Glad you liked the hot chocolate recipe 🙂
This recipe is awesome! Thank you so much. I didn’t add the chocolate bar because I didn’t have one at home but everything else was perfect together. My son and I really enjoyed it.
This recipe was the best! I was looking for a simple but good tasting hot chocolate stovetop recipe. It is way better than the packets from the store! I will keep making it whenever I have a craving for hot chocolate! The vanilla extract makes it taste even better! I would recommend this recipe!
Great recipe this is my second time making it and I love how easy it is to make and it taste really good thank you for the recipe. Bye
9 paragraphs of useless exposition and holiday fluff + 1 actual measurement (1 cup of milk) does not equal a recipe. Also, who makes individual servings of cocoa on the stove top? You’re going through all this trouble just for 1 cup of cocoa?
That’s odd. I guess you somehow missed the “JUMP TO RECIPE” button at the top of the post that takes you straight to the recipe? And then proceeded to scroll right past the recipe with the exact measurements and servings to leave your rude comment? Hope the rest of your day goes better for you.
Looks amazing! If I’m wanting to make a double batch ahead of time for a party, can I make it, chill it in the fridge, then re-warm in a crockpot the next day?
Yes, that would be fine!