Drinks, Gemma's Best Recipes

Gemma’s Best Ever Hot Chocolate

4.57 from 55 votes
Make my rich and decadent Best Ever Hot Chocolate recipe and warm the hearts of your family and friends during the holiday season.

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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.

Watch The Recipe Video!

Best Ever Hot Chocolate

4.57 from 55 votes
Make my rich and decadent Best Ever Hot Chocolate recipe and warm the hearts of your family and friends during the holiday season.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 5 mugs
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Make my rich and decadent Best Ever Hot Chocolate recipe and warm the hearts of your family and friends during the holiday season.
Author: Gemma Stafford
Servings: 5 mugs

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

Add more milk to your hot chocolate if you want it a little thinner

 

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Catherine Moreni
Catherine Moreni
4 years ago

Where do you purchase the airtight containers for your dry hot chocolate mix?

OrahNahum
OrahNahum
4 years ago

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

Ayesha
Ayesha
5 years ago

Hey Gemma ! I got so much confidence from your baking and you are doing a great job lady.. love u

Linda Smith
Linda Smith
3 months ago

Can’t wait to try this hot chocolate ..Thank you Gemma

lemie
lemie
2 years ago

Hi Gemma. What si the perfect combination for hoy chocolate

Kim
Kim
2 years ago

Gemma;
How can I make this hot chocolate for one person?

Kim
Kim
2 years ago

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

Mel
Mel
2 years ago

Hi! Could you replace the pouring cream with evaporated milk? I haven’t got any pouring cream on hand, or whipping cream.

ayeiya
3 years ago

omg those star shaped whipped cream from dollops are so cute!!!
Is there a way you can make this with cocoa powder?

thanks so much!!! <3

Preitha
Preitha
3 years ago

Hello Gemma,

Is pouring cream the same as half and half, or should I stick with heavy whipping cream?

Thanks for the recipe Gemma 🙂

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About Us

Meet Gemma

About Us

Meet Gemma

Hi Bold Bakers! I’m Gemma Stafford, a professional chef originally from Ireland, a cookbook author, and the creator of Bigger Bolder Baking. I want to help you bake with confidence anytime, anywhere with my trusted and tested recipes and baking tips. You may have seen one of my 500+ videos on YouTube & TikTok or as a guest judge on Nailed It! on Netflix or the Best Baker in America on Food Network. No matter your skills, my Bold Baking Team & I want to be your #1 go-to baking authority.

 

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