Nothing beats holding a warm mug of the best hot chocolate in the frigid winter air. Together with creating the ideal batch of no-bake cookies, it is one of the nicest aspects of the Christmas season since it is decadent and a little indulgent.
Despite the fact that you can simply pour the cocoa powder into warm milk and call it a day, this recipe is exceptional and well worth the extra money. In one saucepan, semi-sweet chocolate, cacao powder, and a touch of maple syrup combine with hot, boiling milk. It is decadently rich, delectably creamy, and a tiny bit of chocolate heaven.
Ingredients
- You can use dairy- or dairy-free milk, such as oat, cashew, or almond milk. The better, the creamier! If you’re buying milk from the shop, I’d recommend choosing unsweetened varieties because this dish contains sugar.
- Chocolate: A necessary component for hot chocolate! No matter if you’re using bars or chips, make sure to chop it up finely.
- Cacao Powder: The combination of the chocolate and the cacao powder (or cocoa powder) is what makes this recipe so extraordinary. Believe me, you require both.
- Maple syrup is a fantastic natural sweetener, but you may also use honey, coconut sugar, or another sweetener of your choosing.
THE IDEAL KIND OF CHOCOLATE
Hot chocolate needs genuine chocolate in order to be produced, unlike its close relative hot cocoa, which merely uses cocoa powder. You can use any kind of chocolate, but I suggest using semi-sweet or dark chocolate that has a percentage of 50 to 60.
When mixed with milk, dark chocolate’s distinctively rich flavor is really delicious. The chocolate will melt into the most opulent, velvety texture once you’ve finely chopped it. But don’t worry if you don’t like how bitter dark chocolate is. The correct amount of maple syrup makes it sweet.
If you’re looking for the best hot chocolate recipe, then look no further. These are our top 3 favorite hot chocolate recipes.
1. Chocolate Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
This is a great recipe for a warm, cozy night in. It’s rich and creamy, with just enough peanut butter to give it a little extra kick.
2. Dulce de Leche Hot Chocolate
This is one of our favorite recipes for making a cold winter morning more cheerful! The dulce de leche adds a delicious richness to this drink and pairs perfectly with the dark chocolate flavors of the hot chocolate itself!
3. Mocha Latte Hot Chocolate
This one is perfect for those days when you want something rich, but not too heavy or sweetened with sugar or artificial sweeteners like some other drinks can be! The espresso and vanilla bean add an extra layer of flavor that makes this drink perfect for any time of day or occasion!
THE BEST HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE
On the stove, making hot chocolate is quite simple. Here are the best hot chocolate recipes
Whipped cream, for topping
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring milk to a boil. Remove from heat. Stir in chocolate chips and cinnamon until melted and smooth. Pour into a mug and top with whipped cream.
Cook the milk slowly. Over medium heat, add the milk, cacao powder, and maple syrup to the pan. Stir and simmer the mixture until there are no clumps.
The chocolate is added. After the chocolate is all melted and mixed, add the finely chopped chocolate and stir for 3 to 5 minutes.
Serve. Pour into your preferred mugs to enjoy.
There’s no better way to start the day than with a steaming cup of hot chocolate (or several).
Hot chocolate is a great way to warm up when it’s cold outside. It also makes a fun gift for the holidays. If you’re looking for some new hot chocolate recipes, we’ve got you covered.
Hot Chocolate Decadence
This decadent hot chocolate recipe is full of chocolatey goodness and topped with delicious whipped cream.
Hot Chocolate Cupcakes
These cupcakes are so much more than just plain old cocoa powder. They’re layered with marshmallow frosting, milk chocolate ganache and white chocolate cream cheese frosting — all topped off with whipped cream and sprinkles!
Hot Chocolate Truffle Cups
These truffles are made from scratch with melted dark chocolate and homemade marshmallow creme filling — they’re then garnished with caramelized almonds and drizzled in dark chocolate sauce. The result is an impressive treat that’s sure to impress your guests!
FAQS
Can I use cocoa powder instead of chocolate?
Yes, you can use cocoa powder to make hot chocolate. Mix 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder with 1 cup of milk and add sugar to taste.
How do I make hot chocolate without milk?
You can make hot chocolate without milk by using water, almond milk, soy milk, or any other non-dairy milk. Simply replace the milk with your preferred
BEST HOT CHOCOLATE
Ingredients
- 4 cups milk (dairy or dairy-free)
- 3 tablespoons cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup, or honey
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped (or approx ⅔ cup chocolate chips)
- Optional: ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat, bring the milk, cacao powder, and maple syrup to a simmer. Stir until there's no clumps.
- Add the finely chopped chocolate and whisk for about 3 to 5 minutes, or until the hot chocolate is smooth.
- Pour the hot chocolate into mugs, and if you'd like, add your favorite toppings (see ideas above).
LISA’S TIPS
- If you’re using chocolate chips, I still recommend doing a quickly chop with your knife to finely chop the chocolate. Otherwise, you might end up with clumps of chocolate in the bottom of your mug.
- Keep an eye on the stove! Milk can easily boil over, and that’s never fun.
- This is a really thick and luscious hot chocolate, though the type of milk you use will affect the level of creaminess. Nut milks naturally won’t be as thick as full-fat milk. If you’re using full-fat milk and would like it a bit thinner, just swap one cup of milk for one cup of water.
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