There’s nothing better than curling up on the couch with a cup of piping hot goodness and this time of year and hot cocoa hits the spot. Today, I am going to show you how to make the easiest and best hot chocolate recipe from scratch. This homemade recipe will make people think you fussed but it is so SIMPLE, with only four pantry staple ingredients.

The coziest mug of creamy hot cocoa for your holiday and winter lounging is a must, am I right?!

Hot chocolate can be made in several different ways, starting with either cocoa powder or chocolate from a bar.

Personally, I don’t like to use cocoa powder for my hot cocoa.

It’s almost impossible to get silky smooth chocolate from cocoa powder (so many clumps), and it also doesn’t have the cocoa butter content that a chocolate bar has, which makes a rich and creamy texture.

PS. if you’re looking for a coconut white hot chocolate recipe, try this!

Simple Hot Cocoa Recipe Ingredients:

1. 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
2. 1/3 cup granulated sugar
3. 4 cups milk, separated
4. Pinch of salt
5. Pinch of cinnamon (optional but makes a big difference)

This easy recipe will serve 4.

There are ingredients options for this small batch hot chocolate recipe.

If you are in a pinch you could use chocolate chips instead of a bar.

I like to use full fat dairy milk for hot chocolate but you could use non-dairy if there are allergies.

Swap the sugar for ¼ cup of honey, maple syrup, or ½ cup coconut sugar for a healthier option.

Creamy Hot Chocolate Recipe:

• In a medium saucepan place 2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped or 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips. Stir in 1/3 cup sugar and 1/2 cup of milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until the mixture just comes to boiling.

• Stir in 3 1/2 cups additional milk, a pinch of salt and cinnamon and heat through but do not boil. Remove from heat.

You want to make sure the mixture is creamy with no lumps of chocolate.

Topping options:

• Marshmallows – the most obvious and delicious choice.
• Marshmallow fluff – a ooey gooey addition
• Toffee bits for a nice crunch.
• Crushed peppermints or candy canes – yummy mint flavor.
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate syrup or caramel sauce

Question: are you more of a whipped cream or marshmallow person when it comes to hot chocolate? Or are you both? I’m all about marshmallows…except in December…the month you just go with BOTH.

Here are some other easy hot chocolate recipes:

• Peanut Butter
• French
• Red Velvet
• Nutella
• Sugar Cookie

And if you are looking for a punch recipe to celebrate the holidays, I have a Christmas Sherbet Punch recipe that is to die for.

Don’t forget to pin the image below so you can save this recipe for later. I hope you enjoy it.