10 Creamy Hot Chocolate Recipes

Thick, velvety, and endlessly customizable — these 10 hot chocolates go way beyond the packet. Cozy up with the ultimate cold-weather drink.

Below you’ll find 10 reader-favorite recipes, each with a photo, ingredients, and step-by-step instructions. Save your favorites and enjoy!

1. Classic Creamy Hot Chocolate

Rich, real-chocolate hot cocoa — the only recipe you need.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 6 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• Whipped cream

Instructions

1. Warm milk and cream in a saucepan.
2. Whisk in cocoa, sugar, and salt.
3. Add chopped chocolate; stir until melted.
4. Stir in vanilla.
5. Top with whipped cream.

2. Nutella Hot Chocolate

Hazelnut-chocolate heaven in a mug.

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup Nutella
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Pinch of salt
• Whipped cream
• Chopped hazelnuts
• Chocolate drizzle

Instructions

1. Warm milk in a saucepan.
2. Whisk in Nutella and cocoa until smooth.
3. Add vanilla and salt.
4. Pour into mugs.
5. Top with whipped cream and hazelnuts.

3. White Chocolate Peppermint Cocoa

Cool peppermint meets creamy white chocolate.

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 4 oz white chocolate, chopped
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
• Pinch of salt
• Whipped cream
• Crushed candy canes
• White chocolate shavings

Instructions

1. Warm milk until steaming.
2. Stir in white chocolate until melted.
3. Add vanilla, peppermint, and salt.
4. Pour into mugs.
5. Top with whipped cream and candy canes.

4. Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate

Buttery caramel and chocolate with a salty finish.

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup dulce de leche
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• Whipped cream
• Caramel drizzle
• Flaky sea salt

Instructions

1. Warm milk with dulce de leche.
2. Whisk in cocoa and salt.
3. Add vanilla.
4. Pour into mugs.
5. Top with whipped cream, caramel, and sea salt.

5. Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate

Warming cinnamon and a kick of cayenne.

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Warm milk with cinnamon and cayenne.
2. Whisk in cocoa and sugar.
3. Add chocolate; stir until melted.
4. Stir in vanilla and salt.
5. Serve with a cinnamon stick.

6. Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Liquid peanut butter cup — need we say more?

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 4 oz milk chocolate, chopped
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Pinch of salt
• Whipped cream
• Mini peanut butter cups

Instructions

1. Warm milk in a saucepan.
2. Whisk in peanut butter and cocoa.
3. Add chocolate; stir until smooth.
4. Stir in vanilla and salt.
5. Top with whipped cream and peanut butter cups.

7. Mocha Hot Chocolate

Coffee and chocolate — the ultimate cozy combo.

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup strong brewed coffee
• 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Pinch of salt
• Whipped cream
• Cocoa powder

Instructions

1. Warm milk and coffee together.
2. Whisk in chocolate and sugar.
3. Stir until smooth.
4. Add vanilla and salt.
5. Top with whipped cream and cocoa.

8. Dairy-Free Coconut Hot Chocolate

Creamy coconut hot chocolate — no dairy needed.

Ingredients

• 2 cups coconut milk
• 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Pinch of salt
• Toasted coconut flakes
• Whipped coconut cream

Instructions

1. Warm coconut milk.
2. Whisk in cocoa and sugar.
3. Add chocolate; stir until melted.
4. Stir in vanilla and salt.
5. Top with coconut cream and toasted coconut.

9. Orange Dark Chocolate Cocoa

Bright orange zest elevates deep dark chocolate.

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1/2 tsp orange zest
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Pinch of salt
• Orange twist for garnish

Instructions

1. Warm milk with orange zest.
2. Whisk in cocoa and sugar.
3. Add chocolate; stir until melted.
4. Stir in vanilla and salt.
5. Garnish with an orange twist.

10. Strawberry Hot Chocolate

Sweet strawberry swirled into creamy milk chocolate.

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk
• 4 oz milk chocolate, chopped
• 2 tbsp strawberry jam
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Pinch of salt
• Whipped cream
• Freeze-dried strawberries
• Pink sprinkles

Instructions

1. Warm milk with strawberry jam.
2. Whisk until smooth.
3. Add chocolate; stir until melted.
4. Stir in vanilla and salt.
5. Top with whipped cream and strawberries.

Love these 10 creamy hot chocolate recipes? Pin this roundup for later and explore more easy recipes at simplymealful.us.