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Easy Homemade Stovetop Hot Chocolate Recipe

Tis the season, right? Actually … it’s always the season for a nice hot cup of cocoa in my opinion, and my kiddos will agree!

This EASY Homemade Stovetop Hot Chocolate recipe is one that we make quite often around here and my entire family loves it. In fact, we think it’s the very best hot chocolate recipe around and I think you will agree!

Three clear glass mugs of hot chocolate sitting on a table topped with marshmallows among holiday decorations

Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe {Slow Cooker or Stovetop!}

Are you ready for a real hot chocolate recipe that is not only a delicious drink but it has the most wonderful chocolate flavor unlike any hot cocoa recipe you’ve tried. Get out your favorite mugs and gather all of the family members because this easy recipe will make the most perfect winter treat!

And the best part? It’s so easy to make – made with simple ingredients and so much better than the dry ingredient hot chocolate mixture packets that you’ll find in grocery stores.

bowl of white chocolate chips, cocoa powder, milk and other ingredients for making hot chocolate

Another added bonus to making this easy homemade hot chocolate recipe on the stovetop is that it will make your entire home smell wonderful!

Ingredients for making Hot Chocolate on the Stovetop 

Whole milk

Heavy cream

White chocolate chips

Unsweetened cocoa powder

Pure vanilla extract

Hot Chocolate Topping Ideas

Marshmallows – we love the mini marshmallows

Sprinkles/Chocolate or Caramel Syrup/crushed peppermint, candy cane stirrers, cinnamon sticks, a teaspoon ground cinnamon for sprinkling, a chocolate bar / chocolate shavings – either dark chocolate or milk work great. Whipped cream topped with milk chocolate chips is another favorite variation.

Supplies:

Large pot or slow cooker

Big bowl of white chocolate chips on a white counter with holiday decor in the background

melted white chocolate in a large saucepan on a white counter with a wooden spoon and Christmas decor

cocoa powder in a bowl of melted white chocolate sitting on a white counter with a wooden spoon

large saucepan full of hot chocolate on a white countertop with a cup full of marshmallows and holiday decor

hot chocolate being strained through a strainer and into a bowl on a white counter top with a cup of marshmallows

A strainer sitting in a large bowl of hot chocolate mix on a white countertop with candy canes and marshmallows

How to make Hot Chocolate on the Stovetop 

1. Add 4oz of white chocolate chips to the bottom of your large saucepan.

2. Mix in 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream.

3. Mix in the vanilla extract and cocoa powder.

4. Heat on medium-low heat until the chocolate chips have melted and most of the cocoa powder has mixed in.

5. Pour through a strainer into a pitcher to sift out any cocoa powder residue.

6. Pour back into your pot and use a ladle to scoop into a cup and serve with marshmallows.

*note: This recipe was doubled for these photos

cups of hot chocolate sitting on a counter with candy cane pieces and a mug full of marshmallows

An aerial shot of mugs full of hot chocolate and marshmallows sitting on a white countertop with candy cane pieces

How to make Hot Chocolate in the Slow Cooker

If you are going to make this easy hot chocolate recipe in the slow cooker follow all of the instructions above.

Add all ingredients to the crockpot and cook on high for 1.5 hours.

More Favorite Hot Drink Recipes

If you are looking for more yummy hot chocolate or hot chocolate bombs recipes, make sure to check out these other favorites that we have shared – all are perfect for cold winter days and special occasions!

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Bomb

Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe

Hot Chocolate Spoons

Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe

Build Your Own Chocolate Bar

And definitely make sure to check out my recipe for homemade whipped cream hearts, the perfect topping for your creamy hot chocolate! Want to get even fancier? Check our these darling homemade mug topper cookies!

mugs of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows on a white table with trees and holiday decorations

Nothing beats a creamy hot cocoa on a old winter day and I’m confident that you and yours will love this easy homemade hot cocoa recipe, it’s the good stuff and a yummy way to celebrate with friends and family on a cold day!

Three clear glass mugs of hot chocolate sitting on a table topped with marshmallows among holiday decorations

More ideas for making this chocolaty flavor treat:

Depending on what we have, we top it with different things and change it up a bit. My daughter loves to add sprinkles on top. However, my son and hubby love crushed peppermint with chocolate syrup.

Once you make it a time or two you’ll feel more comfortable adjusting the ingredients.

As you can see, it’s a fun and pretty flexible hot chocolate recipe and it would also make a fantastic party treat where you could let guests each pick their own topping!

For best results, I recommend always making this stovetop hot chocolate right before you serve it so your hot chocolate tastes it’s best. Basically, it’s the perfect drink to serve with a ladle straight from the pot!

three cups of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and on a tray with holiday decor in the background

More Favorite Hot Drink Recipes 

If you love homemade drink recipes, I’ve got some other winter favorites for you: 

Russian Tea Mix Recipe

Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe

Frozen Whipped Cream Hearts

Frozen Movie Themed Blue Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate Spoons Recipe

Make sure to follow She Saved on Pinterest for more DIY, Craft and Recipe sharing! 

Print the Recipe for Stovetop Hot Chocolate

StoveTop Hot Chocolate

Stovetop Hot Chocolate Recipe

Delicious and a wonderful winter treat, this stovetop hot chocolate recipe is a family favorite and a delicious treat on a cold snowy day! I've included instructions for making this on the stovetop as well as in the slow cooker, take your pick - either way, this is one homemade hot chocolate recipe you will love!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 4 ounces white chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Hot Chocolate Topping Ideas

  • Marshmallows, Sprinkles/Chocolate or Caramel Syrup/crushed peppermint, etc (optional and not shown)

Supplies:

  • Large pot or slow cooker

Instructions

    How to make Hot Chocolate on the Stovetop 

    1. Add 4oz of white chocolate chips to the bottom of your pot.
    2. Mix in 2 cups of whole milk and 1 cup of heavy cream.
    3. Mix in the vanilla extract and cocoa powder.
    4. Heat on medium heat until the chocolate chips have melted and most of the cocoa powder has mixed in.
    5. Pour through a strainer into a pitcher to sift out any cocoa powder residue.
    6. Pour back into your pot and use a ladle to scoop into a cup and serve with marshmallows.

    How to make Hot Chocolate in the Slow Cooker

    If you are going to make Hot Chocolate in the Slow cooker follow all of the instructions above.

    Add all ingredients to pot and cook on high for 1.5 hours.

Did you make this recipe?

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Meet the author – Keri Lyn

The creative and frugal mind behind She Saved for over 12 years now, Keri Lyn shares her adventures in parenting along with her love for family travel, country living and brand marketing. A self-proclaimed “brand loyalist”, Keri Lyn is known for her strong and enthusiastic voice when it comes to the products and brands that she loves. She Saved has become a community for like-minded consumers who appreciate saving money, time and sanity by getting the best deals on quality products and experiences.

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3 Comments

  1. I have Kways made.hit cocoa from.sceaych, but without the white chocolate chips. If you wait until your liquids are warm (not hot) to add the cocoa powder and continually whisk while adding, you will have no lumps to strain out.

  2. I have always made hot cocoa from scratch, but without the white chocolate chips. If you wait until your liquids are warm (not hot) to add the cocoa powder and continually whisk while adding, you will have no lumps to strain out.

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