Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort drink with this Best Hot Chocolate recipe, featuring rich cacao powder, smooth semi-sweet chocolate, and sweetened naturally with maple syrup. Perfectly creamy and velvety, this easy stovetop hot chocolate is ideal for warming up on chilly days and can be customized with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
Scale
Hot Chocolate Base
- 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 vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat the Milk and Cocoa: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the milk, cacao powder, and maple syrup. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer while stirring constantly to dissolve the cacao powder and prevent any lumps from forming.
- Add Chocolate and Whisk: Once the milk mixture is hot and smooth, add the finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate. Whisk continuously for 3 to 5 minutes until the chocolate is fully melted and the hot chocolate becomes rich and smooth in texture.
- Serve and Customize: Pour the hot chocolate into mugs. If desired, stir in the optional vanilla extract for added depth. Top with your favorite garnishes such as whipped cream, marshmallows, or a sprinkle of cinnamon to enhance the indulgence.
Notes
- This is hands down the best hot chocolate you’ll ever taste! It’s unbelievably rich, velvety smooth, and perfect for warming up throughout the winter season.
- Use any milk of your choice, including almond, oat, or soy milk, to make it dairy-free.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of maple syrup or honey according to your preference.
- For enhanced flavor, try adding a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or chili powder while heating the milk.
- Watch the video below to see how this recipe is made step-by-step in the kitchen.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 225 kcal
- Sugar: 16 g
- Sodium: 165 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 2 mg
