This dark chocolate hot chocolate is creamy, rich, and full of flavor! This is the beverage you’ll want to be sipping on this Holiday season.
Hot chocolate is a classic beverage to be sipping on in these cold Fall and Winter months. Although sometimes the hot chocolate packets you get at the store are just too sweet and are lacking that rich chocolate flavor. So, how about dark chocolate hot chocolate?
Just like I was never a huge fan of pumpkin pie until this creamy pumpkin pie recipe, the same goes for hot chocolate. The kind you get at the store is ultra sweet and the ratios just seem off.
A few years ago, I was in a coffee shop with a group of girls for part of my sisters-in-law bachelorette party. While I love iced coffee, I am not a huge fan of hot coffee. And that day at the coffee shop was a cold December day. So, it seemed like the best option was to get a hot chocolate. That was the best hot chocolate I have ever had. I have been raving about it and desiring to go back ever since. That hot chocolate was the inspiration for this recipe.
Why You Will Love This Dark Chocolate Hot Chocolate
The flavor of this dark chocolate hot chocolate is like no other. It is rich, creamy and the ratio of dark chocolate to sweetness is like no other.
This recipe is also easy to bring together. You don’t need lots of time or fancy ingredients, this may be as easy as adding the hot chocolate packets to warm milk.
You will also love this dark chocolate hot chocolate recipe because it is made with quality ingredients. Now, when I say quality ingredients, I mean ingredients that don’t have long lists of ingredients on their label. You know what is going into this hot chocolate and I can’t say the same for store bought hot chocolate.
Best Ways to Serve Dark Chocolate Hot Chocolate
- Homemade Whipped Cream – Like I say in almost every post, homemade whipped cream is the best addition to almost anything sweet. It will go well with the creaminess of the hot chocolate.
- A Candy Cane – I am sure we all had a piece of this in our childhood. Stirring hot cocoa with a peppermint candy cane is a combo like no other and one that I think is even better with this dark chocolate hot chocolate. Better yet, crush it and sprinkle it in.
- Marshmallows – Another classic that I am sure our childhoods were also full of. Hot chocolate that is topped with marshmallows that get a little melty after a short time, so yummy! If you’re feeling brave, try making these homemade marshmallows.
- Chocolate Truffles – Is too much chocolate a thing? I think in this case the answer is no. Putting a chocolate truffle or chopped chocolate truffle pieces in hot chocolate can do no wrong.
FAQs
Can I use hot chocolate powder instead of cocoa powder?
If you are in a pinch, you can use chocolate powder instead of cocoa powder to make hot chocolate. Although, it won’t be dark chocolate hot chocolate. Chocolate powder won’t give you that rich and deep chocolate flavor.
What type of cocoa is best for hot chocolate?
For this recipe, I used Hershey’s Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. In this recipe, unsweetened cocoa powder gives you that deep and dark chocolate flavor that we are going for.
Is drinking hot chocolate healthy?
Now, there is a bit of sugar in this recipe. However, there are lots of antioxidants in cocoa powder that helps with cardiovascular well-being, enhanced blood flow, reducing cholesterol levels, and reducing blood pressure. Dark chocolate is the same and has even more benefits. I like the saying “everything in moderation.”
Ingredients
Whole Milk
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
70% Dark Chocolate, chopped
Granulated Sugar
Vanilla Extract
Tools You May Need
Small Saucepan
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Spoon
How to Make Dark Chocolate Hot Chocolate Step by Step
To start, in a small saucepan, combine cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and about 1/4 cup of the milk. Give that a good stir until you have a paste like consistency and there are no big clumps of cocoa powder left. This will help the cocoa powder to not separate from the rest of the milk in the hot chocolate.
Next, pour the rest of the milk in the saucepan along with the other ingredients.
On medium heat, allow the hot chocolate to get very hot, stirring occasionally. Just before the mixture starts to boil, remove from the heat.
Pour into your favorite mug and top with desired toppings. Enjoy!
Dark Chocolate Hot Chocolate
This homemade dark chocolate hot chocolate is rich, creamy, and full of deep chocolate flavor. After this recipe, it'll be difficult to go back to store bought hot chocolate packets. This dark chocolate hot chocolate is great topped with homemade whipped cream, marshmallows, and a candy cane!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup 70% dark chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 tablespoon granulated sugar, see notes
- 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- To start, in a small saucepan, combine cocoa powder, granulated sugar and about 1/4 cup of the whole milk. Give everything a good stir until there are no big clumps of cocoa powder and you have almost a paste like consistency.
- In that same saucepan, add in the rest of the milk and the other ingredients.
- Set on the stove top at medium heat and stir occasionally.
- Just before the mixture is about to boil, remove from heat and pour into your favorite mug.
- Enjoy!
Notes
1. This dark chocolate hot chocolate is deep in chocolatey goodness flavor and has a slightly bitter aftertaste from the cocoa powder and dark chocolate. That taste isn't for everyone. If you find that it is too rich for you, add some more granulated sugar about a teaspoon at a time until you get your desired sweetness level. Keep in mind that adding whipped cream, marshmallows, or even a candy cane will add sweetness as well!
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This sounds delicious! Will definitely be trying this in the colder months.
Can’t wait to try this recipe!
This looks so good! The candy cane in the hot chocolate makes me so excited for snow and Christmas.
Thank you, Annie!