There is nothing cozier than a warm cup of hot chocolate when the weather outside is cold. Learn How to Make Hot Chocolate made with Chocolate Chips with this easy recipe. A steaming mug of this chocolatey rich beverage will keep you warm & cozy all fall and winter long.
Why this Hot Chocolate made with Chocolate Chips Recipe is the BEST: This is made without cocoa powder and is only 4 ingredients for a quick recipe that's 100x better than store-bought packets!
There is something about a good homemade hot chocolate recipe compared to a packet you buy in the store and add water or milk to. If you ask me, there is just no competition. But don't throw away those packets of cocoa mix just yet, use them to bake a batch of my Hot Chocolate Cookies.
I make this for all the winter holidays; such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and for New Year's Eve. I was inspired to learn to make hot chocolate on the stovetop when I had extra chips after making a batch of Chocolate Chips with Marshmallow Cookies. I wanted something to pair with my Puff Pastry Cinnamon Twists and to dunk them into. The combination is fantastic.
Jump to:
- Ingredients for Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips
- How to Make Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips
- Serving & Storing
- Toppings for Homemade Hot Chocolate
- How to Keep Hot Chocolate Warm
- Substitutions & Variations
- Dunkable Treats for Hot Chocolate
- FAQ
- Best Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips
- More Recipes with Chocolate Chips
Ingredients for Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips
Here is all you need to make hot chocolate with semi-sweet chocolate chips. It calls for real dairy - whole milk and cream. It's made without powdered or dry milk plus it's gluten-free.
I use Ghiradelli semi-sweet chips. It is one of the best melting chocolates for a smooth & delicious flavor.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips - results in a rich flavor that is not too sweet or dark.
- Heavy Cream - use the real deal for a thick velvety texture.
- Whole Milk - combined with heavy cream for the perfect balance so it is not too heavy or has too much fat.
- Vanilla Extract - adds flavor to compliment the chocolate.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips
It only takes 10 minutes to make this yummy homemade hot chocolate recipe. In a few steps, you warm up the liquid dairy ingredients on the stove. Then slowly melt the chocolate chips with a bit of vanilla. And that is all it takes - soooo easy!
Begin by adding the whole milk and the heavy whipping cream to a medium-sized saucepan.
Over medium-low heat warm the liquids for 3-4 minutes. You want it to be hot but not boiling.
Add the chocolate chips & vanilla. Stir and continue to heat over medium-low.
Once the chocolate has melted it is time to bring all the ingredients together. Whisk to combine over medium-low heat.
When all the chocolate is melted, continue to heat over medium-low heat. When it is hot and the first few bubbles rise up in the pot, it is ready. Do not let it boil or the chocolate will seize up.
Serving & Storing
Once ready to serve, pour or ladle into mugs. Top with mini marshmallows, whipped cream, and or a dash of cinnamon. ENJOY!
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave in a heat-safe mug.
Toppings for Homemade Hot Chocolate
Who can pass up sprinkling some mini marshmallows on top of your hot chocolate? They float on top and melt into a sweet sticky taste like clouds from sugar heaven. But there are some other fun ideas on how to top hot chocolate made with semi-sweet chocolate chips.
All of these are the best ideas to make hot chocolate even better.
- Colored Marshmallows - pastel ones are so fun for Easter.
- Whipped Cream - A squirt seems to make me feel like a kid again.
- Sprinkles - Add a dash of your favorite sprinkles on top of fresh whipped cream. Chocolate jimmies or rainbow sprinkles are so fun.
- McCormick Holiday Finishing Sugars - these seasonal flavors are HOT and popular so grab em while you can; Candy Cane Finishing Sugar & Salted Caramel Finishing Sugar are my favorites.
- Colored Sugar - Dust on some red & green sugar sprinkles to the whipped cream for a Christmas-colored hot chocolate.
- Flavored Syrups & Sauces - Drizzle in caramel or butterscotch sauce into the cup or on top of the whipped cream or marshmallows.
- Crushed Candy Canes - Sprinkle on peppermint candy pieces.
- Chocolate or other Chips - yep, add some mini chocolate, peanut butter, or white chocolate chips on top of some whipped cream.
How to Keep Hot Chocolate Warm
This recipe is great for parties and holiday gatherings. You can make a large batch and keep it warm for hours. It will last throughout your party or event.
To keep homemade hot chocolate warm, leave it on the stove on your lowest setting. Stir or whisk it every 5-10 minutes.
TOP TIP: You can also transfer the hot chocolate to your Crock Pot. Turn your slow cooker to warm. It will keep this beverage warm and ready to serve for hours.
Substitutions & Variations
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips - instead of semi-sweet, use milk or dark chocolate chips if one of those is your favorite.
- Heavy Cream- use all Whole Milk instead of cream plus milk. It will cut down on the fat content but will up the carbs. Do not use low-fat, fat-free, etc or the hot chocolate will be thin.
- Spiced - add a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Peppermint Mocha- use peppermint extract instead of vanilla extract for a peppermint hot chocolate perfect for Christmas.
- Adults-Only- add a shot of your favorite alcohol to your individual mug; Bailey's, Kahlua, Peppermint Schnapps, Butterscotch Schnapps, Rumchata, brandy, bourbon, whiskey, & rum are some of the best.
Dunkable Treats for Hot Chocolate
For something fun, sweet, & tasty, these dunkable desserts are great to serve with this homemade hot chocolate. It is great to serve for breakfast with a slice of Cinnamon Roll Pie.
Grab your favorite rolled wafer, churro, or store-bought cookie for dunking.
FAQ
If you love making cookies with chocolate chunks, that may be all you have laying around. Semi-sweet chocolate chunks can be used as a substitute for chips in this recipe. It may take a bit longer to melt but it will be just fine.
I have not tried making this with a milk substitute. If you wish to try a dairy-free vegan hot chocolate recipe, try making Oat Milk Hot Chocolate.
RECIPE NOTE: this recipe was originally published December 2022. It has been updated to include updated calorie and nutritional information, reheating/storing notes in the recipe card, substitutions, additional photos, and top tips for republishing in 2025.
Best Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- To a medium-sized saucepan add the milk & cream.
- Over medium-low heat warm the liquids for 3-4 minutes. You want it to be hot but not boiling.
- Add the chocolate chips & vanilla. Whisk to combine over medium-low heat.
- Once all the chocolate is melted, continue to heat over medium-low heat. Once it is hot and the first few bubbles rise up in the pot, it is ready. Do not let it boil or the chocolate will seize up.
- To keep warm, leave it on the stove on low. Stir every few minutes.
- Pour into mugs and top with mini marshmallows. ENJOY!
Notes
- Leftover hot chocolate stores well in the refrigerator. Place any leftovers in a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat hot chocolate, pour it into a small saucepan. Over medium-low heat bring it slowly to the desired temperature. Do not bring it to a boil as that alters the chocolate and the consistency.
- Use whole milk only for best flavor & thickness. Low-fat or non-fat will make the drink too thin & "watery".
- Do not heat too high or too fast - low and slow while you whisk to keep it from scorching.
- Try fun toppings & added flavors- Top with whipped cream, marshmallows, or a shot of your favorite alcohol. Sprinkle or drizzle with caramel, finishing sugars or crushed peppermint candy canes.
- Use milk chocolate as a substitute for a milder flavor or dark chocolate for deep decadent chocolate flavor.
- Make a huge batch and keep it warm in the CrockPot and ladle for guests at parties.
Nutrition
More Recipes with Chocolate Chips
Here are some similar ideas for what to make with chocolate chips, including cookies & more.
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