This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure for details.
Hi Bold Bakers!
My Best-Ever Hot Chocolate is made on pure chocolate–not cocoa powder and dried milk but rich bittersweet chocolate and creamy milk. You know when you drink a thick, rich hot chocolate and wonder how they make it? This is that recipe. The secret is REAL dark chocolate. This Hot Chocolate has so much depth and richness from lovely dark chocolate. For best results always use good quality chocolate with around 72% cocoa solids.
I cannot go through the holiday season without drinking my fair share of Hot Chocolate. I usually make a pit stop at Starbucks for a Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate when I’m out and about shopping but there is nothing like making your own at home, hence my Best-Ever Hot Chocolate recipe.
The beauty of Hot Chocolate is that it welcomes additions; they just make it better. Marshmallows are a given, of course, but get creative and top it with my Frozen Whipped Cream. What is that? It is exactly what it says it is, sweet whipped cream that has been frozen. Cut it out into festive shapes and you have the perfect accompaniment to your thick Hot Chocolate. It slowly melts to create a fluffy, creamy layer on top.
Place my Peppermint Candy Spoons on the side of your mug and use it as a stirrer and you get a lovely hint of mint as it melts, which is a perfect combination with the chocolate.
Get more Holiday Cookies and baking tips and tricks at my Holiday Baking Headquarters page.
Try These Recipes!
Watch The Recipe Video!
Best Ever Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 1/3 cup (8 oz/240g) bittersweet chocolate (72% cocoa solids)
- 3 1/2 cups (28floz/840ml) milk
- 1 cup (8floz/240ml) pouring cream
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract , optional
Instructions
- In a heavy bottomed saucepan bring the cream, milk and chocolate to a simmer. As it starts to bubble whisk it and watch it thicken.
- pull it off the heat. If you would like to add in vanilla extract you can do that now.
- Taste. If you would like t a little sweeter add in some white sugar, or your choice of alternative.
- Serve hot with frozen whipped cream or marshmallows.
Recipe Notes
Where do you purchase the airtight containers for your dry hot chocolate mix?
Hey!
I am a huge fan of yours.
I was thinking if you could make some healthier recipes because my mom is kinda worried about my calories????
I am starting a more nutricious diet but I don’t have any idea for desserts.
Could you please make such nutricious as delicious recipes that I could make?
Thanks a lot.
Love and hugs,
Orah
Hey Gemma ! I got so much confidence from your baking and you are doing a great job lady.. love u
Gemma, every year since i was a sma child we made pecan caramel turtles from scratch they are one f our friends and families most favorite candies. but now I have friends that are diabetics, i have never made candy with allouse but i have with cookies, do you by any chance have a candy recipe for turtles using no sugar but more exactly allulose? because thats what I use the most. also would be interested in any other cheesecakes or cookies that are sugar free. but use allulose? also could Iuse monkfruit for any candy or cookie recipes for… Read more »
Hi Gemma,I was just wondering if lactose free milk can be added to your best ever hot chocolate recipe.I am lactose intolerant and I drink lactose free milk.
Kim
Can’t wait to try this hot chocolate ..Thank you Gemma
Hi Gemma. What si the perfect combination for hoy chocolate
Gemma;
How can I make this hot chocolate for one person?
Gemma;
Hi,I am going to copy down your best ever hot chocolate recipe and I am going to make it at hom in my kitchen after I go buy some groceries.Can I put in some coconut sugar in the hot chocolate just enough to sweeten it a tiny bit.Would it be ok to add a tiny bit of ground cinnamon to the hot chocolate to make it taste like a spice hot chocolate.
Kim
Hi! Could you replace the pouring cream with evaporated milk? I haven’t got any pouring cream on hand, or whipping cream.