3 Hot Chocolate Recipes for Every Occasion (2024)

by Stephanie | Dec 22, 2019 | In the Kitchen, Simple Living | 0 comments

3 Hot Chocolate Recipes for Every Occasion (1)

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If you are anything like me, the winter season basically means “hot drink season”, and for my kids, that means hot chocolate.

We all love hot chocolate in my family and up until recently, that meant stocking up on packaged powdered hot chocolate. If I am feeling really fancy, I might pick up a more expensive brand than Swiss Miss but that was always our go to.

Since I have really been trying to replace store bought products with from scratch versions, I thought that hot chocolate would be an awesome one to try this winter.

3 Hot Chocolate Recipes for Every Occasion (2)

In my hunt for the best hot chocolate recipe, I came across so many!

What I found is that the recipe that you use really depends on how many people you are serving and how much time you have!

I found three awesome hot chocolate recipes that I am sharing with you here. Regardless of the event or how many people you are serving, I have a recipe for you.

I am sharing a powdered mix to keep on hand, a stovetop version, for a few cups on a special evening, and a slow cooker version to prepare for a larger amount of people just perfect for your holiday party!

Whether you are serving for a large group at a party, or want to make a quick cup for your kids, there is a recipe here!

Enjoy!

1. Powdered Pantry Version

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The first recipe that I am sharing is a great recipe to substitute your powdered packaged mix. With little kids, I do not want to make a large batch of stovetop hot chocolate to only hand out ½ cups of lukewarm chocolate milk.

This recipe is great to mix up at the beginning of the season and have on hand.

I originally found this from scratch recipe over at Little House Living but I feel like it is still a little bitter so you can add gradulated sugar or powdered sugar to each cup to up the sweetness if needed.

  • 1 cup unsweetened Cocoa Powder

  • 2/3 cup sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt

I doubled the recipe and put it in a Mason Jar for the season. Add 1-2 Tbls to a cup of warm milk and whisk until blended.

While I am not a fan of powdered sugar hot chocolate, sometime it is hard to wisk in without leaving chucks, and it is never really creamy, this recipe definitely serves the purpose of a quick hot chocolate for the kids.

It does help to sift the mix before putting it into the milk, this breaks up the powder and removes large chucks.

Print

Powdered Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

  • 1cupUnsweetened Cocoa Powder
  • 2/3cupSugar
  • 1/2tspSalt

Instructions

  1. Mix together ingredients and place in mason jar.

  2. Can stay on self for several months.

  3. Add 1 T to 1 cup of warm milk and wisk.

  4. To prevent clumps, sift the mixture while adding to milk.

3 Hot Chocolate Recipes for Every Occasion (4)

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2) Stove top Version

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Now if I want to enjoy some hot chocolate, I go for the stove top version.

This recipe is super easy and so good. If you don’t have heavy cream on hand, you can leave it out but it does give a really great creaminess to the drink.

This is not my original recipe, I found it and have been using it for awhile. I am not sure where I found it but I did make a few adjustments along the way.

  • 2 cups milk

  • ¼ cup heavy cream

  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

  • 1 tsp vanilla

  • Powdered sugar

Bring milk and heavy cream to heat, just under a boil.

Melt chocolate chips in the microwave and add to the heated milk

Wisk until blended

Add vanilla

Add powdered sugar if it needs to be sweetened.

Pour into mugs and enjoy!

Print

Stove Top Hot Cocoa

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 2cupsMilk
  • 1/4 cupHeavy Cream
  • 1cupSemi-sweet Chocolate Chips
  • 1tspVanilla extract
  • Powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Bring milk and heavy cream to heat, just under a boil. Do not let it boil.

  2. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave and add to the heated milk.

  3. Wisk until blended.

  4. Add vanilla extract.

  5. Add powdered sugar if it needs to be sweetened.

3 Hot Chocolate Recipes for Every Occasion (6)

Your 1st Step to a Simple Living Lifestyle!

A great place to start with Simple Living is to start making your own cleaning and personal products!

With this FREE eBook, you can easily get started with over 10 quick but effective recipes that use ingredients you already have in your house!

3) Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

3 Hot Chocolate Recipes for Every Occasion (7)

This slow cooker recipe, perfect for a party or large number of people and has been a real hit the time I have made it.

  • 1 1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

  • 1/4 c. cocoa powder

  • 1/2 c. sugar

  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract

  • 1 c. heavy cream

  • 6 c. whole milk

Put all ingredients in a slow cooker and put on high for the first hour. Stir it occasionally and lower the heat if it is getting too hot.

I kind of had to monitor it a little because low did not allow it to get warm enough but putting in on high was too much after awhile.

Once chocolate is melted and it is warm, serve. Initially, it was just a tad too bitter for my taste so add some powdered sugar until the sweetness is too your liking, not too much though!

Add whipped cream, marshmallows, peppermint schnapps

Can store for a few days in the fridge.

Print

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Cook Time 2 hours

Ingredients

  • 6CupsWhole milk
  • 1CupHeavy Cream
  • 1/2CupSugar
  • 1 1/2CupSemi-sweet Chocolate chips
  • 1/4CupCocoa Powder
  • 1tspVanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Put all ingredients in a Slow Cooker and put on high for the first hour.

  2. Stir it occasionally and lower the heat if it is getting too hot.

  3. I had to monitor it a little because low did not allow it to get warm enough but putting in on high was too much after awhile.

  4. Once chocolate is melted and it is warm, about two hours. Serve in mugs.

  5. Initially, it was just a tad too bitter for my taste so add some powdered sugar until the sweetness is too your liking, not too much though!

  6. Add whipped cream, marshmallows, peppermint schnapps, or peppermint sticks.

  7. Can store for a few days in the fridge.

3 Hot Chocolate Recipes for Every Occasion (8)

Your 1st Step to a Simple Living Lifestyle!

A great place to start with Simple Living is to start making your own cleaning and personal products!

With this FREE eBook, you can easily get started with over 10 quick but effective recipes that use ingredients you already have in your house!

3 Hot Chocolate Recipes for Every Occasion (9)

Stephanie

Welcome to Wingin’ it on the Homestead! My name is Stephanie Leaf. I am a wife to a can-fix-anything husband, mother of two boys under 3, future expert gardener, lover of anything old and dusty, and inspiring homesteader. My family and I are new to this journey and loving every minute of it. Please join me in embracing a simpler life!

We participate in the Amazon Associates Program. Please assume that all Amazon links are affiliate links. Affiliate links are links to third-party products and services. If you use those links and make a purchase, we will receive a small commission. Using these links will not cost you any extra money. An affiliate relationship does not change or influence the nature of the recommendation or opinion.

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3 Hot Chocolate Recipes for Every Occasion (2024)

FAQs

How much hot chocolate mix for 1 gallon? ›

A: If you follow the directions you would need 3 cups of Swiss Miss to make 1 gallon of hot chocolate. That's 3 tablespoons of mix per 8 ounces of water. I use 2 tablespoons of mix per 8 ounces of water.

How much hot chocolate powder for 5 gallons? ›

For 5 gallons of hot chocolate you technically need 8 1/2 pounds or 136 oz of hot chocolate mix (based on Stephens Hot Cocoa instructions with some additional calculations).

Does cocoa powder go bad? ›

Your cocoa powder will have a 'best-before' date on it. The taste might start to gradually mellow after that date or it might go a bit 'clumpy', but it's unlikely you'll notice much difference. It's still safe to eat as long as it doesn't feel moist or smell unpleasant.

Can I use milk instead of water for hot chocolate mix? ›

Which to Use—Milk, Soy, or Water? Whole milk lends to the creaminess and sweetness of hot chocolate, but feel free to use low-fat or nonfat milk if you prefer. For a thicker, richer hot chocolate, switch out 1/4 cup of milk for cream. Soy milk or another non-dairy milk is an alternative if you are lactose intolerant.

How much Swiss miss for 1 cup? ›

What you need: 1 cup water or milk. 2 envelopes (1.38 oz each) Swiss Miss® Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix.

How do you keep hot chocolate hot for a large crowd? ›

Find a serving vessel: You might ladle directly from a Dutch oven on the stove, keep a batch warm in a slow-cooker or Instant Pot, or perhaps decant to a large tea kettle, insulated thermal carafe, or a plug in coffee urn.

How to upgrade hot chocolate? ›

Other Ways to Upgrade Your Hot Chocolate:

orange zest. a tablespoon of fresh-brewed espresso or coffee. peppermint stick. dark, milk, or white chocolate shavings.

Why is my hot chocolate so bitter? ›

Flavanols are responsible for many of the health benefits associated with chocolate, such as improving heart health and reducing inflammation. However, they also contribute to the bitter taste of cacao. Another compound found in cacao that contributes to its bitterness is theobromine.

What goes first in hot chocolate powder or water? ›

Expert Tips. Always add the cacao powder to the mug before the liquid. If you try adding the cacao after you have already added the liquid, it is difficult to dissolve into the hot chocolate and stays clumpy.

How do you make powdered hot chocolate thicker? ›

Cornflour/Cornstarch: Mix a small amount with cold milk or water to create a smooth paste. Whisk this into your hot chocolate towards the end of the cooking process until it thickens. Double Cream: Stirring in a splash of double cream can instantly enrich and thicken your drink, giving it a velvety texture.

What can I put on my hot chocolate station? ›

The best hot chocolate bar toppings

Extra-small chunks Almond Butter Crunch were the most popular toppings of choice. Chocolate chips, finely chopped nuts, crushed graham crackers, and candy cane pieces, also make great options!

What is in options hot chocolate? ›

MILK permeate powder, fat-reduced cocoa powder (21%), sugar, Belgian chocolate (7%) (sugar, cocoa mass, fat-reduced cocoa powder, flavouring), thickener (xanthan gum), dried glucose syrup, skimmed MILK powder, coconut oil, salt, emulsifiers (sunflower lecithin, E472e), sweetener (aspartame), anti-caking agent (E551), ...

What does hot chocolate include? ›

Hot chocolate starts in powder form (usually a blend of cocoa powder, sugar, and often includes dairy powder and flavorings or spices) and is typically made with water. Drinking chocolate, or sipping chocolate, is exactly what it sounds like – luxurious, melted chocolate you can drink!

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