Whenever the weather starts cooling down, a steamy cup of hot chocolate is just the ticket for a warm and cozy night in. And while dumping a packet of hot cocoa mix (though we do have an excellent homemade mix recipe) into hot water might be the easier route, knowing how to make hot chocolate from scratch is a real treat.
Learn our Test Kitchen's tips for how to make hot chocolate using cocoa powder on the stove. We'll also fill you in on hot chocolate vs. hot cocoa (yes, there's a difference). Then, you'll find some fun ways to change up the flavor.
How to Make Hot Chocolate with Cocoa Powder
Some people like the concentrated flavor that cocoa powder brings to hot cocoa. Because it lacks the creamy mouthfeel of melted chocolate, you can use cocoa powder with half-and-half or whole milk instead of low-fat milk. Or use your favorite non-dairy milk for vegan hot cocoa. Make sure you choose an unsweetened cocoa powder for this recipe, as it also calls for sugar. You don't need to sift the cocoa powder. Follow these steps to make four to six servings of traditional hot cocoa from scratch.
1. Combine the Sugar and Cocoa
In a 2- to 2½-quart saucepan, combine ⅓ cup sugar and ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder. Use a whisk to thoroughly mix the sugar and the cocoa. This helps prevent lumps from forming when the liquid is added.
2. Add the Liquid and Heat Through
Slowly add 1 cup half-and-half, light cream, or whole milk to the saucepan and whisk until the dry ingredients are thoroughly combined. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until the mixture just comes to boiling. There should be bubbles over the entire surface. Gradually add 3 cups additional half-and-half, light cream, or whole milk to the saucepan, whisking constantly. Heat through, but do not boil.
How to Make Hot Chocolate for One: Prepare as directed, except use a small saucepan and use 4 tsp. sugar and 4 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder when combining the dry ingredients. Use 1/4 cup milk when you combine the liquid and dry ingredients, and 3/4 cup of milk in the final step.
3. Ladle into Cups
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in 1 tsp. vanilla. Pour the hot cocoa into mugs or cups using a ladle or measuring cup. If desired, serve with marshmallows or whipped cream.
How to Make Hot Chocolate using Melted Chocolate
Here's how to make hot chocolate using melted chocolate. Before you roll up your sleeves to prepare this, make sure you have the right kind of chocolate pieces or chocolate bar. Semisweet chocolate is the typical choice for hot chocolate. Milk chocolate is too mild. For a more intense cup, try using bittersweet chocolate, which usually has a higher percentage of cacao and less sugar.
You can use 2 ounces of chocolate in bar form and coarsely chop it with a knife, or use chocolate chips. You can use any kind of milk, depending on how rich you want your drink to be. Try using part or all half-and-half or even a little heavy cream mixed with the milk. This recipe for hot chocolate makes four to six servings.
1. Heat the Hot Chocolate Ingredients
In a medium saucepan, place 2 ounces chopped semisweet chocolate or ½ cup semisweet chocolate pieces. Stir in a ⅓ cup sugar and ½ cup milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture just comes to a boil. Stir in 3½ cups additional milk and heat through but do not boil. Remove from the heat.
2. Ladle into Cups
Use a ladle or measuring cup to pour the hot chocolate into mugs or cups. If you like, serve with marshmallows or sweetened whipped cream.
Test Kitchen Tip
Make cocoa hearts (or another shape) on marshmallows by placing a heart stencil atop a large marshmallow. Sift sweetened cocoa atop and carefully remove the stencil. Repeat with additional marshmallows and sweetened cocoa.
Hot Chocolate vs. Hot Cocoa: What’s the Difference?
Hot chocolate and hot cocoa are used interchangeably, but they have different meanings. Hot chocolate is technically made with melted chocolate, while hot cocoa starts with cocoa powder. However, either method will get you the creamy, chocolaty drink everyone loves in winter.
Hot Chocolate Variations
Now that you know how to make hot chocolate with cocoa powder or chocolate pieces, it's time to try a few flavor spins—some are for kids, others for adults only. Start with either the hot chocolate recipe or the hot cocoa recipe, above, and revise as follows:
- For frothy hot chocolate, use an immersion blender or rotary beater to beat until bubbly or frothy.
- To make hot chocolate coffee (aka hot mocha), add 1 Tbsp. instant coffee along with the milk. This caffeinated hot chocolate is a fabulous indulgence on a winter morning.
- For Irish hot chocolate, add 1 Tbsp. Irish cream liqueur to each serving.
- For mint hot chocolate, add 1 Tbsp. peppermint schnapps or 2 or 3 drops peppermint extract to each serving. If you like, garnish each serving with whipped cream, chopped peppermint stick, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
More Hot Drinks to Warm You Up
If you're not a fan of chocolate, these hot drinks will kill the chill just as well. Some are adults-only, others are kid-friendly.
