How to Make the Best Hot Chocolate

What would winter be without a steaming cup of hot cocoa to keep you warm at night? Not any sort of winter I’d want to endure, that’s for sure. That’s why I like to mix up a cup for myself on the coldest nights of the year. If I’m feeling a little sluggish, sure, I’ll use a packet of good hot chocolate mix (here are Taste of Home staffers’ favorite brands). But when I’m craving the real deal, I rely on the best hot chocolate recipe I know—one that uses milk (never water!), dark chocolate and a whole heap of whipped cream. The result is supremely rich and satisfying—the perfect compliment to a holiday movie or a good book. The best part though: It’s super easy to make and only takes minutes. Let me walk you through it.

The Best Hot Chocolate Recipe

This recipe is a real cinch—just the thing for when you just got in from shoveling the sidewalk and are craving a homemade treat. In less than 15 minutes, your boots will be off and you’ll be holding a cup in your hands!

Ingredients

• 1 cup 2% milk
• 2/3 cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• Whipped cream or the garnish of your choosing

Makes two servings.

How Do You Make Your Own Hot Chocolate?

To make, start by chopping four ounces of chocolate. I used a very dark chocolate, but you can use milk if you prefer—just be sure to use a chocolate that you’d be happy to eat on its own. Once it’s chopped, add it to a small saucepan with the whipping cream, milk and sugar.  Warm this over medium heat until it comes to a simmer, stirring constantly. Once you’ve got it to a nice simmer (not a boil—here’s the difference), remove from the heat and stir until smooth.

Taste of Home

From there, just pour into your favorite mug and garnish with your favorite toppings. I like the classics—mini marshmallows or whipped cream—but there are a lot of other fun garnishes and mix-ins to consider. Check out our list!

The Result

Taste of Home

This recipe makes an exceptionally decadent hot chocolate. That’s thanks to the dark chocolate the recipe calls for, not to mention the milk and cream! This hot cocoa definitely proves that the best hot chocolate is always made with milk. It’s what gives it such a silky texture. I’m certain that once you make hot chocolate like this, you won’t be going back to a powdered mix anytime soon.

Check out our other favorite hot cocoa recipes.

1 / 20

Rich Hot Chocolate

Each winter in early February my friends and I gather for an outdoor show called Mittenfest. We skip the bloody mary's and fill our thermoses with these hot cocoas instead.

Get Recipe

Dulce de Leche Hot Chocolate Pods

Who doesn't love a steamy mug of hot chocolate on a snowy day? Now you can give friends, neighbors, co-workers or anyone who deserves a treat the pleasure of this indulgent drink with these giftable hot chocolate pods. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Get Recipe

Taste of Home

Nutella Hot Chocolate

Vanilla beans and Frangelico liquor lend to the sophisticated flavor of this hot chocolate. With such rich taste, it could be served as a dessert.—Michael Compean, West Los Angeles, California

Get Recipe

Pumpkin-Spiced Hot Chocolate

As soon as there is a hint of fall in the air, I think of pumpkins and my mother. She served pumpkin pie with real hot chocolate. This recipe brings those two amazing scents, and her, back to life for me. To turn your hot chocolate into creamy pumpkin mocha, stir 2 teaspoons of instant coffee into the hot chocolate before adding whipped cream. It's a great way to warm up after some chilly trick-or-treating! —J. Morand, Maitland, ON

Get Recipe

Crackling Hot Cocoa

This hot chocolate recipe is more than a warm-you-up—it's rich and thick decadence in a mug.—Cyndi Nistico, Palm Island, Florida

Get Recipe

Spiked Hot Chocolate

My husband and I like to enjoy this grown-up version of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening. It's even better made with honey-flavored bourbon if you can find that in your local store. —Andrea Harvath, Duncannon, Pennsylvania

Get Recipe

Cozy Hot Chocolate

Steaming mugs of these smooth beverages are a nice anytime treat with my husband, Ken.—Marie Hattrup, Sonoma, California

Get Recipe

Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

Change up ordinary hot cocoa by stirring some dark baking cocoa into vanilla almond milk. Fluffy marshmallow creme and bright sprinkles make irresistible toppings. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, PA

Get Recipe

Fluffy Hot Chocolate

This is our daughter's favorite hot chocolate recipe. It may look like ordinary cocoa, but a touch of vanilla sets it apart from the rest. And the melted marshmallows give it a frothy body you won't get from a cocoa packet. —Jo Ann Schimcek, Weimar, Texas

Get Recipe

Holiday Peppermint Mocha

Make spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California

Get Recipe

Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix

We make batches of this minty, malted milk-flavored hot chocolate to give as gifts. Be prepared—friends will return the jars for refills! —Sara Tatham, Plymouth, New Hampshire

Get Recipe

Peppermint White Hot Chocolate

My soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Get Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

My mom makes this hot chocolate with pumpkin, spices and white chocolate. We usually drink it on Halloween, but it’s delish at Christmas too. —Sasha King, Westlake Village, California

Get Recipe

Kahlua Hot Chocolate

When we want a cup of hot chocolate, we prefer homemade over store mixes. A splash of Kahlúa adds a touch of fabulous. —Chung-Ah Rhee, Hollywood, California

Get Recipe

Favorite Hot Chocolate

You need just a few basic ingredients to stir up this spirit-warming sipper. It's smooth and not too sweet, making it just right for cozy winter days. —Flo Snodderly, North Vernon, IN

Get Recipe

Gingerbread Hot Cocoa

Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? If not, this special cocoa will do the trick. It’s like drinking a chocolate gingerbread cookie! —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, AZ

Get Recipe

Landmark Hot Chocolate

With or without a nip of rum, my hot chocolate recipe has been a Wisconsin winter warmer for years. When the toboggan hills are calling, I skip the whipped cream and take a thermos to go. It’s always a hit and it ensures nobody is left out in the cold! —Mark Phillips, Bayfield, Wisconsin

Get Recipe

Vanilla Almond Hot Cocoa

Treat your family to this comforting, homemade cocoa as you decorate the tree or open holiday gifts. Vanilla and almond extracts make it taste even more special. —Vicki Holloway, Joelton, Tennessee

Get Recipe

Mexican Hot Chocolate

This delicious, not-too-sweet hot chocolate is richly flavored with cocoa and delicately seasoned with spices. The whole-stick cinnamon stirrers come in handy, as the old-fashioned chocolate mixture settles if not stirred before drinking. The blend of cinnamon and chocolate flavors is wonderful! —Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas

Get Recipe

Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

I gave this away at our neighborhood Christmas party in cutie-patootie gift bags and was thrilled that I was able to give something to everyone. But the next week I started getting calls from the neighbors who'd made it and was blown away at the response. Everyone loves this! The white chocolate is what makes it extra creamy and chocolaty!—Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

Get Recipe