When the weather outside gets chilly, I always want a warm drink to hold. Nothing beats a comforting mug of hot chocolate to make you feel cozy. Today, I’m sharing two of my favorite hot chocolate recipes that are super easy to make at home.
These winter warmers are perfect for a quiet evening or a fun get-together. I know you’ll love these simple ways to brighten your day with a warm, sweet drink.
Jump to Recipe:
Christmas Hot Chocolate: Your Cozy Holiday Drink
This festive drink is like a hug in a mug. It brings all the joy of the holidays straight to your cup with simple ingredients.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Christmas Hot Chocolate
- Good Quality Cocoa: Use a good cocoa powder for a rich, deep chocolate flavor. This makes a big difference.
- Sweetness Level: Adjust the sugar to your liking. You can always add more at the end, so start with less if you prefer.
What You Need
- 2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup sugar (or to taste)
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips (milk or dark)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
⏱️ Time: 8-10 minutes🍽️ Yields: 2 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Warm the Milk
Pour the milk into a saucepan over medium heat. Let it get warm, but do not let it boil. Keep an eye on it so it doesn’t scald.
Step 2: Combine Ingredients
Add the cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the warm milk. Stir gently and continuously until everything is smooth and the chocolate chips are fully melted into the milk.
Step 3: Serve Hot
Pour the hot chocolate into mugs. Top with whipped cream, marshmallows, or a sprinkle of cinnamon if you like for an extra festive touch.
📝 Final Note
If you’re making this for a party, you can keep it warm on a very low heat setting in a slow cooker after it’s made. Give it a stir now and then!
Cinnamon Bun White Hot Chocolate: A Sweet Treat
Imagine your favorite cinnamon bun in drink form – that’s what this warm drink tastes like. It’s creamy, sweet, and has that lovely cinnamon spice.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Cinnamon Bun Hot Chocolate
- Quality White Chocolate: Using good quality white chocolate chips or a chopped bar will give you a much better flavor and smoother drink.
- Fresh Cinnamon: A fresh dash of cinnamon makes a big difference to the overall warm spice flavor. Check your cinnamon to make sure it’s not old.
What You Need
- 2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 4 oz good quality white chocolate, chopped or chips
- 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar (or to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
⏱️ Time: 10-12 minutes🍽️ Yields: 2 servings
How to Make It
Step 1: Heat Milk
In a saucepan, warm the milk over medium heat until it is hot but not boiling. Make sure it’s evenly heated.
Step 2: Melt White Chocolate
Add the chopped white chocolate, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt to the warm milk. Stir constantly until the white chocolate is fully melted and the drink is smooth and well combined.
Step 3: Serve Warm
Pour the cinnamon bun white hot chocolate into mugs. A dollop of whipped cream and an extra sprinkle of cinnamon on top is a great idea to finish it off.
📝 Final Note
For an extra special touch, you can add a tiny bit of cream cheese frosting (melted slightly) on top to really get that cinnamon bun feel.
