Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes

Do you enjoy drinking hot chocolate during the fall and winter? It is a delicious beverage that is not difficult to make at home. With a handful of ingredients and a little time, you'll be making it regularly for your whole family as well as your friends. I've included a wide variety of recipes here. Enjoy!

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How To Make Hot Chocolate From Scratch

Tips for Making Homemade Hot Chocolate

The Daily Meal offers seven great tips for making a perfect cup of hot chocolate. While you do not need to follow them to the letter every time that you make a homemade cocoa, even using one or two of them can make a big difference. As you get comfortable with the formula, you'll be able to experiment with it a little to make it your own.

• The Perfect Hot Chocolate Slideshow | The Daily Meal
  

Hot Chocolate Topping Ideas

There is no limit to the number of hot chocolate toppings that you can use, but here are a few of the most popular ones.

• Whipped cream
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate shavings
• Butterscotch syrup
• Crumbled cookies
• Crushed candy canes
• Cinnamon sticks

Complete your classic hot chocolate recipe with a pinch of salt!

One of the fun aspects of making a recipe at home is that you can customize it any way that you like. However, there is nothing wrong with sticking to a classic recipe, too.

• Duni's Studio. Duni shares her recipe for hot chocolate with us that has cinnamon and vanilla sugar. Vanilla extract also works well.
• Sing For Your Supper. If you enjoy thick hot chocolate that is like drinking melted chocolate, you'll have to try this recipe from Amy.
• The Road Forks. Give the classic a new take with cinnamon, dried red chili pepper, and brown sugar.

Have you heard of frozen hot chocolate? I hadn't before I started putting this article together. If you love the taste of hot chocolate but are in the mood for a cold drink, this is a great option.

• Brown Eyed Baker. Michelle has great suggestions for customizing this recipe to suit your personal tastes and preferences.
• Ice Cubes from Family Fresh Cooking. Make your frozen hot chocolate into ice cubes to enjoy in the drink of your choice.
• Live Love Pasta. Use evaporated milk and finish it off with whipped cream and miniature chocolate chips.

Learn how to make lots of frozen drinks.

You can add a sweet component to hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows.

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In case hot chocolate isn't sweet enough for you on its own, this is a great way to kick the sweetness factor up another notch. You can substitute another dessert or candy flavor if you prefer. The possibilities are endless.

• Cookies and Cream Hot Chocolate. This is a great way to combine two awesome desserts.

I know that it's a little strange to have a seasonal category in an article about a drink that is largely seasonal. However, there are a few types of hot chocolate that people like to make specifically for fall or winter.

• Pumpkin. When you've already made every pumpkin dessert you can imagine, switch it up and put some pumpkin in your hot chocolate.
• Peppermint. Don't skimp on the peppermint extract and/or crushed candy canes to get a rich peppermint flavor.

If you're not ready to give up the wonderful fruit flavors from summer, put a little bit of them into your hot chocolate.

• Raspberry. Raspberry extract is all you need to convert this classic recipe.
• Strawberry marshmallows. Homemade strawberry marshmallows take homemade hot chocolate to a whole new level.

Put a different spin on your hot chocolate by making an international recipe.

• Italian. This variation uses corn flower and honey. You can also make a richer version with half and half.
• Mexican. If you live in or near a Hispanic neighborhood, you should be able to find a grocery store than carries Mexican chocolate.
• Mexican Spiked. If you want to add some alcohol to your Mexican hot chocolate, this is the recipe for you. This drink is a great combination of sweet and spicy.

Many people like to mix up the classic hot chocolate recipe by using white chocolate instead of milk or dark chocolate.

• Gimme Some Oven. This is a simple version of white hot chocolate. You can't go wrong.
• Cadbury. The Cadbury company has a decadent white hot chocolate recipe that uses a couple of their products. They recommend kicking it up a notch with a shot of espresso.
• White Spiked. A little rum will take your white chocolate to a new level. This recipe also has a unique touch with cardamom.

Betty's White Hot Chocolate

Having written a number of articles about beverages, I knew that I couldn't write this article without including a selection of alcoholic options.

• Rich n' Thick Adult Hot Chocolate. The recommended alcohols are Bailey's, peppermint schnapps, pumpkin liquor, and Southern Comfort. If you like a thicker drink, this one is for you.
• Not Your Kid's Hot Chocolate. A splash of rum gives hot chocolate just the right amount of kick.
• Grown Up Hot Chocolate With Homemade Bailey's Marshmallows. The homemade marshmallows are what make this recipe special.
• Spiked Hot Chocolate. Another great way to get a little alcohol in your hot chocolate is a shot of vodka in the whipped cream.

Drinking Chefs - Spiked Hot Cocoa

More great drink recipes from the author.

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• Iced Tea Drink Recipes
  Make your own iced tea at home with one of these great recipes. There are classic recipes as well as winning combinations, fruit teas, international recipes, and alcoholic options.
• Sangria Recipe with Red Wine
  Sangria is an easy, delicious summer beverage that you can enjoy any time during the summer. This recipe includes red wine and brandy.

Comments

Charito Maranan-Montecillo from Manila, Philippines on July 21, 2015:

Hello, Ms. Rose. I don't usually drink hot chocolate except on rainy days. I like taking it with my favorite pastry. I have a sweet tooth.

The top photo makes my mouth water! Thanks for this hub!

Fox Music on June 12, 2015:

Thank you for sharing this delicious hub "Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipes"

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 01, 2013:

I'm so glad to hear that, Mekenzie! Thanks!

Susan Ream from Michigan on October 01, 2013:

Love everything about this hub. The Pictures, the variations of the delectable cocoa and links to some great sites. Who doesn't love chocolate .. especially hot cocoa?

Thanks for putting this together - very useful!!!

Mekenzie

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 05, 2013:

Thanks, Indian Chef! I'm glad that you enjoyed this article. Honestly I don't drink hot chocolate regularly either, but it can be a nice occasional treat. :)

Indian Chef from New Delhi India on September 05, 2013:

I really loved your tips and ideas. These look great. Though I do not drink chocolate regularly but I think I might be hooked on them if I kept on reading about them.

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 03, 2013:

I agree, Writer Fox! Thanks. :)

Writer Fox from the wadi near the little river on June 03, 2013:

I think chocolate is great in any season. Enjoyed your great recipe ideas!

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on December 03, 2012:

You'll have to give some of these ideas a try then!

Anamika S Jain from Mumbai - Maharashtra, India on December 03, 2012:

I love hot chocolate and it's my regular drink. But have never tried any topping so far. Thanks for the wonderful ideas.

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 11, 2012:

Haha, I know, right? Yes, so many great hot chocolate drinks for the fall and winter.

Cynthia Calhoun from Western NC on November 11, 2012:

Wow. Frozen hot chocolate? It seems to obvious, yet I'm like, why didn't I ever think of that before? There are so many yummy things to try in this hub and it's perfect for the season. Awesome...sauce. :)

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 09, 2012:

Thanks, TycoonSam! Yes, for sure. :)

TycoonSam from Washington, MI on November 09, 2012:

Very tasty Hub! Thanks for all the recipes and the "Drinking Chefs" were a riot!

Voted up and Delicious!

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 09, 2012:

Isn't that always how it works, Kelley? Hope that you enjoyed!

Natasha, you'll have to give the lavender hot chocolate a try sometime. Cooking doesn't have to be gourmet to be delicious.

Natasha from Hawaii on November 09, 2012:

Lavender hot chocolate?! Why have I never thought of that before? I used to make my own hot chocolate in college. Maybe it wasn't the most gourmet creation, but I loved it.

kelleyward on November 09, 2012:

Okay so I had to come across this early in the am. Love it!!! Yum. Voted up, useful, shared, pinned and now off to get me a cup! Take care, Kelley

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 22, 2012:

Thanks, Vicki! I'm with you on homemade hot chocolate.

Victoria Lynn from Arkansas, USA on October 22, 2012:

Great hub with great ideas. Homemade hot chocolate is wonderful--store bought packages do not compare. Your hub is so attractive. I love the headings in each section. Very nice!

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 15, 2012:

That's great, grandmapearl! Enjoy your hot chocolate.

Connie Smith from Southern Tier New York State on October 15, 2012:

randomcreative, these are awesome ideas. I love the raspberry addition and white chocolate sounds yummy as well. Will definitely try some of these when the weather gets colder. I love a good cup of hot chocolate after being outside shoveling snow! Voted way Up and Pinned.

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 14, 2012:

I had no idea either until I started researching this topic, but you're right that it does sound delicious!

Jamie Brock from Texas on October 14, 2012:

Thank you for sharing all of these great options for hot chocolate..I had no idea you could do frozen hot chocolate... that sounds yummy!

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 14, 2012:

Yum! That sounds like an interesting combination. Have fun experimenting with some new options.

Om Paramapoonya on October 14, 2012:

I usually enjoy my hot chocolate with peppermint extract and sometimes ground chili pepper. Now I realize there are many more hot chocolate recipes I should certainly try. Thanks for sharing these lovely recipes. :)

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 13, 2012:

That's awesome, Michelle. :) Enjoy!

Michelle L. Marcella from Lacey, New Jersey on October 13, 2012:

I love making my hot cocoa! Was thinking about this last night as I realized how cold it was getting so early this year. Great article!

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 12, 2012:

Thanks!

Eiddwen from Wales on October 12, 2012:

A great recipe and thnaks for sharing.

Eddy.

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 11, 2012:

Thanks so much, keystrokes! I know, who wouldn't want one of those monkeys?

India Arnold from Northern, California on October 11, 2012:

Fantastic group of recipes for hot chocolate! I love that you include seasonal and alcoholic choices. And, who wouldn't want a foam monkey face in their hot cocoa!? Such a cute picture. Super good job here!

HubHugs~

Rose Clearfield (author) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 11, 2012:

Thanks, Donna! Almond and coconut milk are great alternatives for hot chocolate. I bet that you could use soy milk, too.

Donna Hilbrandt from Upstate New York on October 11, 2012:

Wow, what a great index of recipes. Thanks for putting it together. I am definitely pinning this for reference. I have been trying to cut dairy products out, so when I was in a hot chocolate mood the other day, I made it with Almond/coconut milk. It was so good! Voted up and sharing.