This easy hot chocolate recipe is made with just three simple ingredients. It’s quick and delicious, perfect for those times when you need some hot chocolate NOW.
Have a craving for hot chocolate but don’t have any hot cocoa mix in your cupboard? No worries, I’ve got you covered.
If you have milk in your fridge and cocoa powder and sugar in your baking cupboard, you can make and be sipping a creamy, fabulous cup of hot cocoa in about 5 minutes.
Ingredient Notes
- Milk: Any milk can be used here (plant-based works just fine). The higher fat the milk, the richer your hot chocolate will be. For an extra rich and creamy drink, try substituting half and half or heavy cream for some of the milk.
- Cocoa powder: Both natural and Dutch-process cocoa powder will work for this recipe, but Dutch-process cocoa powder is considered the gold standard for hot chocolate.
How to Make Hot Chocolate
To make hot chocolate on the stovetop, whisk together cocoa powder, sugar, and a bit of water over medium heat to make a chocolate syrup and then whisk in milk and a pinch of salt and heat until steaming.
To make hot chocolate in the microwave, combine cocoa powder, sugar, and water in a mug. Stir until well-mixed and microwave for 15 seconds. Stir until smooth and then add milk. Microwave 1 to 1 ½ minutes, until steaming. Stir once more, and enjoy!
Then curl up under a fluffy blanket with a cookie or two (I recommend shortbread or gingerbread), and enjoy a cozy evening in.
Variations
Want a little hot chocolate upgrade? Try…
- Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate: Stir a spoonful of peanut butter into your hot chocolate and top with peanut butter sauce.
- Richer/Creamier Hot Chocolate: Use whole milk or replace ¼ cup of the milk with heavy cream.
- Baileys Hot Chocolate: Replace ¼ cup of the milk with Baileys Irish liqueur.
- Extra Chocolaty Hot Chocolate: Toss in a small handful of chocolate chips or chopped chocolate to melt just before adding the milk.
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Crush a candy cane and add it to your hot chocolate when you add the milk.
FAQ
Can I make a big batch of this?
Yes! As written, this is a hot chocolate recipe for one, but you can scale up the recipe with no preparation changes needed. To change the yield, in the recipe card below, hover over the serving size or click if you’re on mobile, and slide the slider.
What are the best hot chocolate toppings?
Whipped cream and marshmallows are obviously the classic hot chocolate toppings, but you can also add:
- Crushed candy cane
- Chocolate shavings
- Sprinkles!!
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream (seriously, so good)
- Fudge sauce or Nutella sauce
- Chopped up candy (like M&Ms and peanut butter cups)
How can I make spiked hot chocolate?
Spiked hot chocolate is really easy to make. Just make your cup of hot chocolate and then add the alcohol of your choice to taste (usually 1 to 2 ounces/2 tablespoons to ¼ cup).
Baileys and other Irish cream liqueurs are my favorite, but other good spiking options are:
- Kahlua and other coffee liqueurs
- Flavored vodkas like marshmallow or whipped cream
- Peppermint schnapps
More Hot Chocolate Recipes to Try
- Rich and Thick Hot Chocolate
- The BEST Crockpot Hot Chocolate
- Pink Hot Chocolate
- White Hot Chocolate
- Chai White Hot Chocolate
- Frozen Hot Chocolate
Recipe Notes
This recipe makes 1 cup of hot chocolate, enough to fill an 8-ounce mug. To fill an oversized mug, 1 ½ or double the recipe.
Easy Hot Chocolate for One
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons (25g) granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon (7g) cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 cup milk any percentage
- Pinch of salt
- Whipped cream optional for topping
- Mini marshmallows optional for topping
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, over medium heat, combine sugar, cocoa powder, and water. Stir until sugar and cocoa powder dissolve.
- Add milk and salt and stir. Heat until the mixture reaches your desired temperature, stirring occasionally.
- Pour into an 8-ounce mug and top with optional whipped cream or marshmallows if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutritional Information (non-fat milk)
Nutritional Information (2% milk)
Nutritional Information (whole milk)
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Samantha says
It’s super good!! I made a few times with my brother. I just doubled the recipe so it’s for two. But definitely try! Super good!
Nee says
I doubled this recipe and had it all to myself. I have no regrets! Soo good!
Tracy says
Lol so glad you enjoyed it!
Sonja says
Delish! Simple yet rich, totally hit the spot. Thank you & merry Christmas 🙂
Karen says
Wow, just tried this for the first time and it is delicious. Can’t wait to make this in a batch when my family come for Christmas. My Grand Children are gonna live this and so easy to make. Thank You for sharing this it’s gonna help make Christmas that little bit extra special making memories with my Grand children.. xxx
Shelby says
Loved this! I made it with almondmilk and granulated erythritol and it turned out great too!
Fina Zarzar says
How much vanilla extract can I use?
Tracy says
I wouldn’t use too much. Maybe 1/8 teaspoon, 1/4 tops.
Samantha says
I madew this a few days ago when it snowed and was SO good! The salt really added some flavor. I was doubtful at first because I used to buy the hot cocoa mixes and they were so bitter and tasted horrible. Now I know you don’t need a mix to make hot chocolate because you just need a few simple ingredients! This one is worlds better than the mix. Thanks, Tracy!
Love, Samantha
Deb says
Just made it tonight for company! Got raving reviews! Thank you!
Ruth says
What is the purpose of water?
Is water necessary?
ruth
Tracy says
Hi, Ruth. It’s easier for the sugar and water to mix in a bit of water than in milk to form a smooth chocolate syrup. You can use milk, but you’ll have to work a little harder to mix everything.
Susannah says
Omg I tried it for the first time and it tasted absolutely delicious just loved it
Tracy says
So thrilled to hear it!!
Amanda says
Curious. About how much water is “a bit.” I’d like to try to make this.
Tracy says
It’s 1 tablespoon. If you scroll down just a little (or up from the comments), you’ll find the printable recipe card with all the instructions and complete measurements. Hope you enjoy it!
Taya says
Why have I been buying pre made mix this whole time?! Amazing!!!!
Tracy says
LOL. That was my response when I learned how easy it was to make from scratch!
Anna says
Tracy, is there an index of your recipes somewhere? I can’t see how to find the one for carnitas bowl, as well as others I want to try. Thanks. Anna
Tracy says
Hi, Anna, here’s the link for the carnitas bowls: https://bakingmischief.com/2018/08/25/carnitas-burrito-bowls/
All the recipes are listed here: https://bakingmischief.com/category/recipes/ BUT they’re in chronological order, so you’d have to click through to what you were looking for.
The search bar’s the best way to find recipes. It should be center top on mobile and to the top right on desktop. And if there’s something you still can’t find, feel free to shoot me an email: tracy@bakingmischief.com 🙂
Duck says
Better if you add 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Liz says
This recipe was delicious!!! I made two cups and put peanut butter in one and cinnamon and Chile powder in the other. Both of them were amazing!
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed it, Liz! And peanut butter in hot chocolate is genius. I don’t know how I’ve never tried it before, but now I have to. 🙂
Vicky says
Delicious!
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed it, Vicky!
Ava says
OMG I LOVE THIS RECIPIE!!
When I made it for the first time I was sceptical about the amount of water but it all actually dissolved and made a great hot choc! Thanks Tracy!
Tracy says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it, Ava!!
Mellie says
Thank you a great recipe! I would recommend this for a cold winter night with the entire family!!
Tracy says
Thank you, Mellie!!