My Favorite Hot Chocolate Recipe

Obviously I’m a fan of chocolate. I can’t trust people who don’t like chocolate. It’s just not natural. Ha! In all seriousness, one of the main reasons I look forward to winter and the holidays every year is because I get to make this decadent hot chocolate. It’s my go-to recipe! Most of you probably don’t know, I used to work for a luxury chocolate company. I was the in-house designer and with that job duty came A LOT of taste testing. All this to say (even though I hate to admit it), my time there sort of turned me into a chocolate snob. I was introduced to “sipping chocolate” and I have not been able to look at hot chocolate the same since. Sipping chocolate is basically an uber thick, high quality chocolate that is melted in milk… none of the pre-made powdery stuff. Here’s how I make my own hot chocolate (or sipping chocolate)… the right way. 

INGREDIENTS (makes 4 servings):
3 cups whole milk
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (high quality… I used Scharffen Berger because I had it on hand)
3 tablespoons dark cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-processed), plus more for garnish
3 tablespoons demerara or granulated sugar
lightly sweetened whipped cream, for serving
heavy cream, for serving (optional)

Over medium-high heat, bring 3/4 cup of water to a simmer in a saucepan. Whisk in in 3 tablespoons of cocoa powder until no lumps remain. Then add 3 cups of whole milk and return to a simmer. Whisk in the chocolate and sugar, stirring until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. The chocolate should be completely melted… this takes about 5 minutes. Divide the hot chocolate into mugs and top with freshly whipped cream and dust with cocoa powder. If you’d like the flavor to be less bold, splash a spoonful of heavy cream into your cup.

Yes, it takes a little more time to whip up than the standard cocoa packet, but I promise you it is well worth it!

Try this and please let me know what you think. I’m hoping it’s the best hot chocolate you’ve ever tasted. I’m truly willing to go that far. Cheers and happy holidays!!