This simple hot chocolate recipe is a far cry from those sad packets you grew up on. It's creamy and decadent and is made with real chocolate instead of cocoa for the best chocolatey flavor.
Course Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine American
Keyword hot chocolate
Prep Time 5 minutesminutes
Cook Time 5 minutesminutes
Total Time 10 minutesminutes
Servings 4
Calories 671kcal
Ingredients
4cupswhole milk
¼ cupbrown sugar
⅛teaspoonsea salt
6ouncesbittersweet chocolate, chopped (about 1 cup), plus more for serving
Whipped Cream
1cupheavy whipping cream
2tablespoonsbrown sugar (or powdered sugar or granulated)
½ teaspoonvanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
Instructions
In a medium-sized saucepan, add the milk, sugar, and salt, and whisk to combine. Heat over medium-low for about 3 minutes or so, just until the milk is hot and little bubbles start to form (but don’t let it boil). Add the chocolate and whisk well, simmering until the chocolate has completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
Make the whipped cream. Add the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla to a large bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or you could use a hand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment). Whip everything on low speed. Gradually increase the speed to medium and then medium-high once the mixture thickens. Whip to soft peaks.
To serve, pour the hot chocolate into two mugs, and top with fresh whipped cream, sifted cocoa powder, or grated chocolate.
Notes
If you want a more intense hot chocolate, add another ounce of bittersweet chocolate (about 2 tablespoons).
If you want less dairy, sub water for half of the milk.