How to make hot chocolate from scratch and spiked if you want to as well! Perfect hot drink during the Winter that’s easy to throw together and delicious! A simple hot chocolate without cocoa powder recipe.
Have you ever wondered how to make hot chocolate from scratch without cocoa powder? It’s really quite easy and more rich than those little packets you buy at the store. (originally published 12/17, affiliate links present)
Homemade Hot Chocolate
You can customize it by adding a bit of rum if you want a spiked hot chocolate, make snickerdoodle hot chocolate, or leave it as is. Want a little spice to it, add a bit of chili peppers to soak inside if that’s your choosing.
I also have a homemade biscotti recipe that makes a great pair if you’re having a get together or want a mellow evening together watching movies with a treat and this warm Winter drink. There are a few variations to this homemade hot chocolate recipe, I will leave links to alternative ingredients below. You will need:
- Milk
- Chocolate – Abuelita type of chocolate or Dark chocolate bar
- Condensed milk to make it rich and creamy
- Brown sugar
- Rum – if you want spiked hot chocolate
- A pinch of salt will intensify the flavors but optional
- Whipped cream for the top is always a hit, or a splash of peppermint extract at the holidays
Chili arbol peppers can be added if you want a bit of spice. Crushed candy canes can be integrated in too for a twist. Melting peppermint candies can be a fun craft to do while these are baking too.
How to make Hot Chocolate without Cocoa Powder
You can use a chopped chocolate for this which is way better than just a powdered version. Much more rich for sure and truely from scratch. Best way in my opinion to do this is to have two crockpots going at the same time, one with some spiked hot chocolate and one for the kids!
How to Make Hot Chocolate with Milk
Just make it as directed below and then pour it into your slow cooker. I have and I have two of them for times just like this. It’s perfect for the holidays and especially on Christmas morning when you have people over!
- In a pot over medium high heat, add in 1/3 cup of milk and chocolate.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to create a chocolate sauce.
- Add in cinnamon and milk (and 2 chili arbol peppers if you want heat).
- Heat the milk mixture to a slight boil
- Reduce heat to medium heat at a very low simmer, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add in sugar and condensed milk, turn heat to low, allow ingredients to mold together for a minute before serving.
To make dairy free hot cocoa you can use coconut milk and dairy free condensed (found online) instead. If you want to keep warm for a number of hours I would transfer it into your slow cooker and set to warm.
Homemade Hot Cocoa Recipe Bulk
Heck, if you have three you should make our Crockpot chocolate candy bites with nuts and pretzels too. Put it on warm and just let it be available all day long for everyone. You can make a double batch if you have a big house full of guests too.
After you put this together you should give our easy homemade biscotti a try too, they go perfectly together. Looking for other great Christmas desserts to make??
- Easy peppermint bark recipe needs only a few ingredients
- Egg nog cookie cups are oh so fun at the holidays or Instant Pot bread pudding if you don’t want to turn on the oven.
- Pumpkin fudge and egg nog cake are the bomb
How to make Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips
If you can’t find either one of those chocolates in a bar you could certainly use chips. Dark is best for sure but some stores don’t have it all. Just chop finely so they melt in the pot quickly is all you would do. For more fun, make these hot chocolate ball with marshmallow inside too!
Yes, we will show you how to use chocolate bars or abuelita chocolate instead which makes it so much richer. You can use chocolate chips to make homemade hot chocolate too if that is all you can find.
You can use chocolate bars, chocolate chips, or abuelita chocolate as alternatives to cocoa powder. These options provide real chocolate flavor and can be melted into the hot milk mixture.
Absolutely! You can use non-dairy milk alternatives, such as almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk, to make hot chocolate without cocoa powder. Simply substitute the dairy with your preferred non-dairy option and follow the same steps in our recipe card.
Get our your simple ingredients and get started y’all!! If this is during the holidays I might make a whole bar with all the fixings including whipped toppings, chocolate shavings, sprinkles, crushed peppermint sticks, edible snowflake stirrers and more.
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How to Make Hot Chocolate From Scratch
Equipment
- 1 pot
Ingredients
- 4 c milk
- 1 tablet abuelita chocolate or 1/4 c. finely chopped dark chocolate
- 2 tbsp condensed milk
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 c rum optional
Instructions
- In a pot over medium high heat, add in 1/3 cup of milk and chocolate. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to create a chocolate sauce.
- Add in cinnamon and milk (and 2 chili arbol peppers if you want heat). Heat to a slight boil, reduce heat to a very low simmer, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add in sugar and condensed milk, turn heat to low, allow ingredients to mold together for a minute before serving.