Quick & Easy Hot Chocolate
With just four ingredients, you can make a cup of homemade hot chocolate in about 5 minutes! This is an easy hot cocoa recipe that you can customize with different ingredients. Use milk or dairy-free milk, add your favorite toppings like marshmallows or whipped cream, or change the flavor with different extracts to give it a delicious twist.
Table of contents
This easy hot chocolate goes into heavy rotation this time of year. It’s my go-to hot cocoa 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 are required. Just stir, heat, and serve. So go ahead and toss that packaged hot cocoa mix and give this homemade cocoa a try.
It’s simple but effective.
Ingredients
I bet you already have everything on hand, so you can go right to the kitchen and whip up a batch of this classic hot chocolate. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Granulated sugar
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Milk
- Vanilla extract
How to Make Homemade Hot Cocoa in 5 Minutes
Whisk the sugar and cocoa powder together in a small saucepan. Add the milk and whisk the mixture over medium-low to medium heat until the sugar and cocoa are dissolved and the hot chocolate is heated through.
Topping Ideas
A plain mug of hot chocolate is great, but a topping makes it even better. Here are some ideas:
- Whipped cream
- Marshmallows
- Frothed milk
- Crushed cookies like Oreos or gingersnaps
- A dusting of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves
- Grated chocolate or mini chocolate chips
- Crushed candy canes
- Chocolate sauce or caramel sauce
Variations
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Add a touch of peppermint extract to make this a holiday hot chocolate. You can use peppermint syrup, too, but you should reduce the amount of granulated sugar so it’s not too sweet.
- Almond Hot Cocoa: Swap the vanilla extract for almond extract to give it a nutty flavor.
- Cinnamon Spice: Add a few pinches of ground cinnamon when you mix the cocoa. Add a sprinkle on top for garnish.
- Spiked hot chocolate: Add a splash of Kahlua or peppermint schnapps for a grown-up twist.
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 adding a splash of cream when you heat the hot chocolate.
I’ve also made this hot cocoa with dairy-free milk like almond milk and oat 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!
More Easy Recipes
Want more cozy chocolate treats? Here are a few more easy recipes perfect for a cold winter’s night…
- Peppermint Mocha Latte
- 5-Minute Molten Chocolate Mug Cake
- Mocha Pudding Cake for Two
- Slow Cooker Lava Cake
Easy Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 generous tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 generous tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup 2% milk see note
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Marshmallows or whipped cream for topping optional
Instructions
- Heat all the ingredients in a small pan over medium-low heat while whisking.
- Whisk continuously until the sugar and cocoa powder have dissolved into the milk, and the cocoa is heated, about 3-4 minutes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition Estimate
Post and photos updated from the archives. First published in January 2015.
This looks wonderful! I love the photos. Hot chocolate is one of my favorite drinks during winter.
I am so excited! I’m making this tonight while I watch my Thursday night line-up! Thank you!!
Craving a hot chocolate right now – this looks so wickedly delicious and so simple to make too!
Hi April, looks so good, I love hot chocolate. I think I will make some when my daughters come home. Thanks.
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!
I grew up in Wyoming and remember what those frigid temperatures feel like – sending warm thoughts your way!!
This looks perfect! I adore hot chocolate even more than a really good cup of coffee. Pinned!
LOVE homemade hot chocolate! This looks so comforting and warming – definitely thinking of whipping up a batch to deal with this chilly weather! 😀
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!
Reminds me of hot chocolate my mom used to make for us as kids….mmmmmm
Isn’t home made hot chocolate really good? SO much better than anything you can buy, especially if you use good chocolate or cocoa.
Homemade is the best and just as quick as opening one of those scary packets of hot chocolate mix 🙂
This looks dangerously quick and easy…yum!
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.
love this
recipe!!!!!
Awesome, decadent recipe.
Very delicious and easy and soooooooo simple! Yum yum
So glad you liked it!