With just four ingredients you can make a cup of homemade hot chocolate in about 5 minutes!
Table of contents
Every year I think once the holidays are over winter should be over, so I always get depressed around mid-January when I realize winter is just getting started. It’s cold and we all need a warm-up, don’t you think?
This easy hot chocolate goes into heavy rotation this time of year. It’s my go-to chocolate treat when it’s cold because it’s easy to make with pantry ingredients and takes all of five minutes to make. No complicated steps and no fancy chocolate required. Just mix, heat, and serve.
It’s simple but effective.
Ingredients
I bet you already have everything on hand so you can go right to the kitchen a whip up a batch. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Granulated sugar
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Milk
- vanilla
How to Make Hot Chocolate
Whisk the sugar and cocoa powder together in a small saucepan. Add the milk and whisk over medium-low heat until the sugar and cocoa are dissolved and the hot chocolate is heated through.
FAQs
Yes, you can double, triple or quadruple this recipe.
I usually use 2% milk because it’s what I have on hand, but I’ve also made it with whole milk which makes it a little richer.
For a really decadent treat, try combining a 1/4 cup of cream with 3/4 cup of milk.
I’ve also made this hot cocoa with almond milk!
This hot chocolate recipe is for sudden-onset chocolate cravings and I’m not sure how it would be if it’s made ahead of time. Plus, it’s so easy you can make a batch in about five minutes.
That said, if you want a hot chocolate mix you can make ahead to have on hand you might like my Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix, which keeps in an airtight container for up to six months.
Happy hot chocolate-making, friends!
Stay warm ❄
More Easy Chocolate Recipes
Want more cozy chocolate treats? Here are a few easy chocolate dessert recipes perfect for a cold winter’s night…
PrintQuick & Easy Hot Chocolate
A super easy 4 ingredient hot chocolate. Takes only a few minutes to whip up a batch! This recipe is for one serving, but you can easily double or triple it for more servings.
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Cook Time: 4 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 generous tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 generous tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 cup 2% milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Heat all the ingredients in a small pan over medium-low heat. Whisk continuously until the sugar and cocoa powder have dissolved into the milk and it’s heated through about 3-4 minutes.
Notes
To make it extra rich and decadent try mixing a 1/4 cup of heavy cream with 3/4 cup of milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 186
- Sugar: 25.2g
- Sodium: 116.9mg
- Fat: 5.6g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.8g
- Trans Fat: 0.2g
- Carbohydrates: 27.6g
- Fiber: 1.6g
- Protein: 9.1g
- Cholesterol: 19.7mg
Keywords: easy hot chocolate, homemade hot chocolate
Mik says
Very delicious and easy and soooooooo simple! Yum yum
★★★★★
April Anderson says
So glad you liked it!
mpl says
Awesome, decadent recipe.
★★★★★
Sophia says
love this
recipe!!!!!
Culinare says
Pictures look so good only when you look at them you rain in the mouth. we have planty of snow here, and hot chocolate goes just perfectly.
★★★★★
Jess says
This looks dangerously quick and easy…yum!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Isn’t home made hot chocolate really good? SO much better than anything you can buy, especially if you use good chocolate or cocoa.
★★★★★
April says
Homemade is the best and just as quick as opening one of those scary packets of hot chocolate mix 🙂
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
Reminds me of hot chocolate my mom used to make for us as kids….mmmmmm
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
I totally agree with you, there is so much build-up for the holidays, and then when they’re over you’re left with the realization that winter has really just started 🙁 This hot chocolate looks perfect for the cold weather, bet it would perk me right up!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
LOVE homemade hot chocolate! This looks so comforting and warming – definitely thinking of whipping up a batch to deal with this chilly weather! 😀
Kathleen @ yummy crumble says
This looks perfect! I adore hot chocolate even more than a really good cup of coffee. Pinned!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
It’s supposed to be 1 degree (1 degree!) here in Wisconsin (and snowing) on Sunday. . so yes!! I’ll take some quick and easy hot chocolate!!! love this!
April says
I grew up in Wyoming and remember what those frigid temperatures feel like – sending warm thoughts your way!!
Rosemary @anitalianinmykitchen says
Hi April, looks so good, I love hot chocolate. I think I will make some when my daughters come home. Thanks.
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Craving a hot chocolate right now – this looks so wickedly delicious and so simple to make too!
Annie @ ciaochowbambina says
I am so excited! I’m making this tonight while I watch my Thursday night line-up! Thank you!!
★★★★★
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
This looks wonderful! I love the photos. Hot chocolate is one of my favorite drinks during winter.