A classic, creamy homemade hot chocolate recipe that is full of flavor and perfect for any season, especially the holidays! This truly is the best hot chocolate and very easy to make!
The winter months are coming and while everyone’s minds are on presents and family, we can’t forget the sweet and delightful drink of the season, hot chocolate!
Hot chocolate has been a delcious staple of the holidays to warm us up and fill us with good cheer. Need a good hot chocolate recipe to make the holidays perfect? We have what you need and more!
Let’s dive into the delicious drink and learn what makes hot chocolate such a wonderful addition to the holiday mood. Before we dive into the recipe and answering questions about making the perfect cup, here is a brief history of hot chocolate!
History of Hot Chocolate
Table of Contents
Chocolate comes from cocoa, which comes from seeds from the cacao tree! While this doesn’t make chocolate a vegetable, it does grow as a plant that thrives in more tropical climates. The original makers of chocolate had it across Central and South America, though it was far from what we consider today as chocolate.
Cocoa does not have natural sugar like how we know chocolate now. We add sugar to the process to give chocolate its trademark sweetness. Sugar came into the picture when Europeans brought cocoa over from the Americas.Â
Over 400 years since the European discovery, the chocolate drink known as hot chocolate came into popularity.
How do you make hot chocolate from scratch?
It’s simple to make hot chocolate from scratch. We share the full recipe below but in general, you’ll need a few ingredients (chocolate chips, milk, vanilla extract, honey, and salt) as well as a medium saucepan, and a whisk.
- Heat milk, honey, and salt in a saucepan on medium heat to just below the simmering point.
- Whisk constantly while the milk is heating to avoid the milk from burning.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the chocolate chips. Let them sit for 30 seconds in the milk to soften. Then whisk until all of the chocolate is melted.
- Add in the vanilla and fresh nutmeg and whisk.
- Serve in mugs and top with whipped cream
Homemade Hot Chocolate Variations
This recipe is absolutely perfect to use as a base, then simply add in your own flavor options to switch it up. Here are a few of our favorite easy ideas:
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Add in 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract to the recipe. Then, top the hot chocolate with crushed peppermint candy.
Caramel Hot Chocolate
Substitute the honey in the recipe for 2 tablespoons caramel. Also, line the inside the mug with caramel and drizzle it over whipped cream.
Extra Creamy Hot Chocolate
For a very thick and rich hot chocolate substitute 1 cup of the milk for heavy cream.
Espresso Hot Chocolate
Add in 1 tablespoon espresso to the recipe and whisk with the chocolate chips. This will also bring out even more chocolate flavor and add a little hint of espresso to the drink.
Naturally Sweetened Hot Chocolate
If you want to limit sugar you can make a healthy hot chocolate by using Lily’s Baking Chips which are sweetened with Stevia. Using honey, as we do in this recipe, is also a way to naturally sweeten hot chocolate.
Is Hot Chocolate Healthy?
This truly depends on what you feel is “healthy” and what’s not. At the very least, the more sugar and cream and sweetness something has, the more it may go away from being healthy.
Homemade hot chocolate falls right into the category of sweet and semi-healthy, but it doesn’t have to be all bad. If you don’t go overboard with the cream and sugar and other additives, hot chocolate can be a harmless drink.
That doesn’t mean hot chocolate has no benefits! The chocolate itself can be high in antioxidants and can even help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and other heart-related illnesses.Â
You can also make it healthier by using honey to sweetened and naturally sweetened chocolate chips like Lily’s Baking Chips.
What is the Meaning of Hot Chocolate?
A hot drink like hot chocolate often brings up memories of happy homes, warming up from a fun day in the snow, and calming contentment with friends and family.
Having a hot drink in the cold months does more than keep away the cold. It can be a great bonding moment, sharing something sweet and enjoyable with those you love can bring an extra dose of happiness to all around.
What is the Difference Between Hot Cocoa and Hot Chocolate?
We make hot chocolate with liquid chocolate in some form, often melted from solid chocolate bars. Hot cocoa, on the other hand, comes from pure cocoa powder.
While many use the term interchangeably, the difference can be stark! The big difference is hot cocoa is often sweet and light, while hot chocolate can be richer and thicker.
Is Hot Chocolate Better With Milk or Water?
While better often comes down to preference, there is benefits to both using milk or using water.
Water helps to push out chocolates natural flavors, making hot chocolate with water more intense and richer in chocolate flavor. Milk, on the other hand, can dim the chocolate taste but also provide a creamy texture to the drink.
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With a hot chocolate recipe in hand and a treasure trove of hot chocolate trivia, you are ready to tackle the holidays head on!
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Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 5 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- 5 ounces milk chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
Instructions
- Heat milk, honey, and salt in a saucepan on medium heat to just below the simmering point.
- Whisk constantly while the milk is heating to avoid the milk from burning.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the chocolate chips. Let them sit for 30 seconds in the milk to soften. Then whisk until all of the chocolate is melted.
- Add in the vanilla and fresh nutmeg and whisk.
- Serve in mugs and top with whipped cream.
