• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Ashlee Marie - real fun with real food

  • Recipes
    • Main Dish
    • Desserts
    • Breakfast
    • Sides
    • Bread
    • Soups & Salads
    • Drinks
    • Food Tutorials
  • Cakes
    • Cake Recipes
    • Cake Tutorials
    • Carved Cakes
    • Wedding Cakes
    • Smash Cakes
    • Party Cakes
    • How to Video Series
  • Parties
    • Complete Parties
    • Party Cakes
    • Party Food
    • Party Crafts & Decorations
    • Printables
    • Invitations
  • Holidays
    • Valentines
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Easter
    • Cinco De Mayo
    • Mothers Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
  • Travel
    • Culinary Travel – Cooking Schools
    • Family Travel
    • Disney
    • Universal Studios
    • Blogger Trips
  • Videos
    • Recipe Videos
    • Short Videos
    • Kitchen Tip Videos
    • Video equipment links
  • Crafts
    • How to & Craft Tutorials
    • Crochet & Knit Patterns
    • Decorations
    • Photoshop
    • Sewing Projects
  • Shop
    • Video equipment links
    • Baking and Kitchen equipment
Home » Recipes

The world’s BEST Hot Chocolate

Published: October 1, 2019 | Updated: October 1, 2019 | By Ashlee

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly
Jump to Recipe

I’m not even kidding when I call this the World’s BEST Hot Chocolate Recipe. It is everything hot cocoa should be; Creamy, rich with a great flavor. This homemade hot chocolate is the essence of coming home from a cold day.

This recipe is the worlds best hot chocolate, I enjoy a cup of this every morning in the winter

How I created this Hot Chocolate Recipe

Today it rained, it was MARVELOUS (As a born and raised Oregonian I LOVE the rain)! The leaves have all changed colors and there was a beautiful mist over the mountains.  

I love fall. I don’t like being too hot or too cold, I’m not a huge fan of snow… BUT if it means I get to make this hot chocolate then I’ll take it.

I love chocolate, in pretty much every form.  Bars, cookies, cake, ice cream and liquid!  

When we were living in Japan I missed my favorite foods that they don’t have over there.  That’s how I got into from scratch cooking – learning to make food that I couldn’t get overseas.

So when I was missing hot chocolate I started trying various recipes, mixing and matching until I was happy with the results.  

Now I do not like watery hot chocolate. So I knew it needed to be made with milk. And I already had my Hot Fudge recipe that I loved so I used my understanding about blooming Cocoa to my advantage as I created the final recipe.

Now I make a double batch every week and enjoy a cup on cold mornings. I like to add my Homemade Marshmallows of course – they have this great creamy effect as they melt.

I also tweak this same recipe for my Frozen Hot Chocolate recipe. You can also serve it with fresh whipped cream or my homemade marshmallow fluff or my marshmallow frosting!  What do you like with your hot chocolate?

Just take me to the Hot Cocoa Recipe already!

If you’d rather skip my tips and tricks for homemade hot chocolate, along with links to other winter recipes and get straight to this delicious drink – simply scroll to the bottom of the page where you can find the printable recipe card.

the best hot chocolate recipe you'll ever try, it's great hot, iced or frozen

Tips to Make the Perfect Hot Chocolate

By boiling the cocoa and water at the beginning your actually Blooming the cocoa. This breaks up clumps, thickens the liquid and most important releases flavor particles in the powder and results in a much richer flavor.

This is the reason most chocolate cakes add boiling water to the mixture and why I dissolve my cocoa in boiling water and let it sit for a few mins in my chocolate cake recipe.

Once the cocoa has bloomed and the full flavor has been released now you want to add the rest of your liquid and bring it up to heat. I use whole milk – for me hot chocolate should always be made with milk, not water.

You don’t need to, and shouldn’t, bring it back to a boil. Now you just heat it to the temperature you like to drink your cocoa at. Once it’s up to tempurature add the vanilla.

The vanilla is essential for enhancing the flavor and I can always tell if I accidentally forgot it when I taste it. You don’t want to add it early as the boiling and heating process would actually make most of the vanilla evaporate so it should be the last thing you add before serving.

I refrigerate any left overs – but the chocolate and milk does separate after a while so make sure to shake it up or stir it really good before reserving!

The World’s BEST Hot Chocolate

If you love this homemade hot chocolate as much as I do, I’d love a 5 star review. Be sure to share on social media and tag me if you make it @ashleemariecakes! If you want to stay updated on new recipes sign up for my newsletter and join my Facebook Group!

It does not get much better than hot chocolate, esp topped with fresh whipped cream or homemade marshmallows

If you love Hot Chocolate you’ll love these other winter drink recipes!

  • warm butterbeer with creamy topping
  • homemade eggnog

Warm Pumpkin Pie Drink | Hot Butterbeer | Homemade Eggnog

And these other decadent chocolate treats

  • ultimate rich chocolate cake
  • delicious chocolate cheesecake
  • molten lava cakes

Chocolate Cake | Chocolate Cheesecake | Chocolate Lava Cake

Connect with Ashlee Marie Online!

To watch me make this Hot Chocolate along with 2 other fall drinks play the video in the recipe card (if you’re on desktop, a short teaser video should be auto playing for you). 

You can find all my cooking show style recipe videos on YouTube, or my short recipe videos on Facebook Watch, or my Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.

the best hot chocolate recipe

The worlds BEST Hot Chocolate

How to make hot chocolate – this recipe is the best homemade hot chocolate recipe ever. A thick, rich and easy to make hot cocoa.
4.23 from 149 votes
Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 13 minutes
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 104kcal
Author: Ashlee Marie
Prevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

  • 1/4 C unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 C granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/3 C water
  • 4 C whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla
US Customary – Metric

Instructions

  • In a saucepan mix the dry ingredients.
  • Add the water and bring to a boil, keep boiling for one min.
  • Then add the milk.
  • Heat until it’s the temp you like.
  • Take off the heat and add the vanilla, stir and serve

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 0g | Calories: 104kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 159mg | Potassium: 161mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Calcium: 113mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @ashleemariecakes or tag #makesomeawesome and I’ll share your image in my Instagram stories!

Related Posts:

  • Homemade Raised Donuts with Glaze recipes and video
    Homemade Raised Donuts with Glaze recipes and video
  • Homemade Rainbow Bagel Recipe
    Homemade Rainbow Bagel Recipe
  • S'more Donut Recipe
    S'more Donut Recipe

JOIN MY NEWSLETTER!

Become an insider and receive this FREE Maple Icing Recipe (not seen on the blog!)

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Privacy Policy: We hate spam and promise to keep your email address safe. You'll receive email updates through AshleeMarie.com. You can unsubscribe at anytime.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Yummly
ashlee marie

About Ashlee

With the right tips and tricks, I believe YOU can make, bake, or create anything. This is what I love to do - make some awesome, teach you how, and give you that boost of culinary confidence you need to rock your own kitchen! Read more...

youtube facebook instagram twitter pinterest email rss

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Kristen

    December 25, 2019 at 7:22 am

    5 stars
    I made this hot chocolate for the first time 3 years ago and it has now become our Christmas tradition with my step kids to make with our Christmas breakfast every year! They lovvvve it! I am actually getting ready to start making it now. Merry Christmas everyone!

    Reply
    • Ashlee Marie

      February 2, 2020 at 7:09 pm

      So glad you love it as much as we do!!!

  2. Emma Morgan

    December 29, 2019 at 1:19 pm

    can you save the hot chocolate for later; like in the fridge or something or is it like a one day thing that won’t be as good later?

    Reply
    • Ashlee Marie

      February 2, 2020 at 7:08 pm

      totally! it will separate in the fridge, just remix it up and reheat! I do it all the time

  3. Teresa

    November 13, 2020 at 3:32 pm

    5 stars
    My go-to hot coco recipe for cozy days! Love it!

    Reply
    • Ashlee Marie

      April 26, 2021 at 6:42 pm

      Thank you so much! I am so glad you love it

  4. Aurora

    November 15, 2020 at 12:54 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious beverage to add to the beauty of the season. Very decadent and creamy.

    Reply
    • Ashlee Marie

      April 26, 2021 at 6:43 pm

      I’m so happy you love it as much as my family does:)

  5. Chloe

    January 28, 2021 at 12:42 pm

    Can you use the just add water coca to make this?

    Reply
    • Ashlee Marie

      April 26, 2021 at 6:45 pm

      If you mix the dry ingredients you can just keep them until you are ready to add water. It works the same way as store bought cocoa mix

  6. Cari

    April 24, 2021 at 9:41 pm

    5 stars
    This is the best recipe! I’ve been making it for a few years and recently added it to my morning coffee for a mocha sorta taste!! It’s my go to. I make it the night before and have a batch in the fridge for the morning! It’s heaven 🥰

    Reply
    • Ashlee Marie

      April 26, 2021 at 6:42 pm

      That is so awesome! I am so glad you think its the best (so do I) haha

« Older Comments

Primary Sidebar

about ashlee marie
youtube facebook instagram twitter pinterest email rss

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Privacy Policy: We hate spam and promise to keep your email address safe. You'll receive email updates through AshleeMarie.com. You can unsubscribe at anytime.

Popular Posts

Homemade deep-fried monte cristo sandwich
homemade choco taco
one pot loaded baked potato soup
tamatoa cake - moana - disney
I love these candied strawberries, like a candied apple, a glorious crunch with a ripe strawberry center!

Footer

SEEN ON

as seen on
  • TV and Media
  • Privacy Policy

COPYRIGHT © 2007–2023 Ashlee Marie - Real Fun with Real Food

ashlee marie lets make some awesome
  • Recipes
    • Main Dish
    • Desserts
    • Breakfast
    • Sides
    • Bread
    • Soups & Salads
    • Drinks
    • Food Tutorials
    • Back
  • Cakes
    • Cake Recipes
    • Cake Tutorials
    • Carved Cakes
    • Wedding Cakes
    • Smash Cakes
    • Party Cakes
    • How to Video Series
    • Back
  • Parties
    • Complete Parties
    • Party Cakes
    • Party Food
    • Party Crafts & Decorations
    • Printables
    • Invitations
    • Back
  • Holidays
    • Valentines
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Easter
    • Cinco De Mayo
    • Mothers Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Back
  • Travel
    • Culinary Travel – Cooking Schools
    • Family Travel
    • Disney
    • Universal Studios
    • Blogger Trips
    • Back
  • Videos
    • Recipe Videos
    • Short Videos
    • Kitchen Tip Videos
    • Video equipment links
    • Back
  • Crafts
    • How to & Craft Tutorials
    • Crochet & Knit Patterns
    • Decorations
    • Photoshop
    • Sewing Projects
    • Back
  • Shop
    • Video equipment links
    • Baking and Kitchen equipment
    • Back