How to make rich and creamy homemade hot chocolate with chocolate chips. Best with marshmallows or whipped cream; easy 3-ingredient recipe for Christmas!

When it comes to hot chocolate, there is nothing quite as dreamy and creamy as a nice warm cup of homemade hot chocolate with chocolate chips. I'm telling you, it is the absolute BEST!

light blue mug of hot chocolate with chocolate chips, topped with mini marshmallows, sitting on gray plate with spoon and more marshmallows

I've always enjoyed Swiss Miss and homemade hot chocolate mix; but I'll tell you what, after making this hot chocolate recipe with chocolate chips, I'm sold on this way of making my favorite wintertime treat.

Hot cocoa with chocolate chips is very creamy and slightly thicker than regular cocoa. It's got a richness to it that just can't be beat.

There's something pretty special about replacing cocoa powder with chocolate chips. It creates a silky smooth drink that slides right down your throat and gives you a craving for more, especially if you're a chocolate fanatic like me.

Keep reading because I'll share tips for making your favorite chocolate drink even tastier, with ideas for extra flavors and ingredients you can add.

pouring creamy hot chocolate from saucepan into light blue-green cup, sitting on gray plate with mini marshmallows

WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

If you’d rather skip all of my hot chocolate making tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the hot chocolate recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED:

Whole milk
Semi-sweet chocolate chips – I recommend Ghirardelli. You want a good brand of chocolate. I also prefer semi-sweet; but you can use milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips if you prefer.
Sea salt – You can use regular table salt too.

Keep in mind, all of the ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.

KITCHEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT YOU'LL NEED:

Saucepan – You can use a small saucepan or a medium-sized saucepan.

Whisk and Heat-Resistant Spatula – I like to whisk everything together in the beginning, and then as it cooks, switch to my favorite spatula.

Your Favorite Mug

HOW TO MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS

Making hot chocolate with chocolate chips is really simple and easy to do. Yet another reason why I love making this creamy hot chocolate recipe.

Add the milk to a small saucepan over low to medium heat.

When the milk has slightly warmed for about 2 to 3 minutes, add in the chocolate chips, whisking until melted.

adding chocolate chips to milk in saucepan to make hot chocolate from chocolate chips

Add a pinch of salt, and stir that into the mixture.

adding salt to saucepan while making hot chocolate with chocolate chips

Warm the mixture, stirring constantly, until small bubbles start to form around the edge of the liquid on the sides of the pan; but don't let it boil, or it will very likely curdle.

cooking homemade hot cocoa with chocolate chips in saucepan on stove

Now you're ready to pour your homemade hot chocolate into your favorite mug, and top it off with mini marshmallows, whipped topping, or peppermint whipped cream.

light blue mug with creamy hot chocolate and mini marshmallows, sitting on gray plate

CAN I USE CHOCOLATE MILK FOR HOT CHOCOLATE?

You can use chocolate milk if you want, but it's going to add an intense amount of chocolate flavor.

Instead I prefer to let the chocolate chips do the work of flavoring, and that's why I say to use a good brand of chocolate chips for making homemade hot chocolate from scratch.

When you use a good chocolate, it'll add a thickness, richness, and all the chocolate flavor you will ever need.

light blue mug of hot cocoa with chocolate chips, sitting on gray plate with mini marshmallows

IS IT BETTER TO MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE WITH MILK OR WATER?

You can use water, which will actually allow the chocolate chips to stand out with flavor.

But without the milk, you lose both the creaminess and richness of your hot chocolate. To me, milk is a no brainer.

If by chance you follow a dairy-free diet, you can use a different type of milk like almond milk. And of course, you'd want to use dairy-free chocolate chips, as well.

CAN I REPLACE CHOCOLATE CHIPS WITH CHOCOLATE BAR?

Yes, you can use your favorite chocolate bar instead of chocolate chips. Just be sure to use the same amount of chocolate.

creamy hot chocolate with mini marshmallows in light blue-green mug on gray plate

WHAT CAN I ADD TO THIS HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE WITH CHOCOLATE CHIPS?

Oh boy, the things you can add to make this recipe even more decadent and rich. Here are a few ideas…

I love adding a splash of vanilla extract or almond extract; I'm talking maybe 1/4 teaspoon of each. Both really enhance the flavors of the chocolate chips.
Instead of chocolate chips, you can use white chocolate chips, peanut butter chips (or half peanut butter, half chocolate), mint chocolate chips, etc. Oh the possibilities here!
Add a spicy kick to your hot chocolate… Think cinnamon or cayenne pepper.
If you're into boozy drinks, add a splash of your favorite spirits.
Add creamer to your finished mug. I love adding a little bit of raspberry creamer to make raspberry hot chocolate. It's so good!
Add in a little bit of coffee.
Or how about a flavored syrup, like caramel or butterscotch syrup?
Give it a minty flavor and festive feel with a few drops of peppermint extract.
Add in a touch of caramel with caramel extract.
If you like to top off your hot cocoa with marshmallows or whipped cream, give it a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
Sprinkle a few pieces of peppermint candy, or drop in a candy cane. I sometimes like to take peppermint candies and crush them up, then sprinkle them over the marshmallows.

light blue mug of homemade hot chocolate with mini marshmallows and peppermint, sitting on gray plate

HOW TO STORE LEFTOVER HOT CHOCOLATE

Keep leftover hot chocolate in a pitcher with a lid or sealed container in the refrigerator. It should be consumed within 2 to 3 days.

Can hot chocolate be reheated?

Yes, you can reheat hot chocolate. Just be sure to heat it back up on the stove, and again, don't let it boil.

MORE FESTIVE BEVERAGE RECIPES:

Orange sherbet punch
Tangerine sparkling party drink (non-alcoholic)
CrockPot mulled cider

GET THE PRINTABLE RECIPE

If you love this hot chocolate recipe as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

double image of homemade hot chocolate with chocolate chips, with top image of hot cocoa in blue mug with mini marshmallows, crushed peppermints, and spoon; and bottom image of pouring hot chocolate into light blue-green mug from saucepan

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