Tips for a Perfect Homemade Hot Chocolate

According to MenuCochon: Choose Good Chocolate : The better the chocolate, the better your homemade hot chocolate will be. Do Not Boil the Milk : A gentle heat preserves all the flavors. Vary the Milks : Try with almond milk, hazelnut milk or oat milk for unique flavors. Add Spices : A touch of cinnamon or nutmeg can enhance the taste of chocolate. Sweeten to Taste : You can replace sugar with honey or maple syrup for a more natural version.

FR|EN

Homemade Hot Chocolate: A Rich and Comforting Delight

Name: Homemade Hot Chocolate: A Rich and Comforting Delight
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 2 portions
Cuisine: Québécoise
Ingredients: 500 ml whole milk (or plant-based milk for lactose-free version); 100 g 70% dark chocolate (or milk chocolate according to your preferences); 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 cups of sugar (adjust to taste); 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 pinch salt; 1 pinch nutmeg (optional, for a spicy touch); 50 ml liquid cream (optional, for a creamier chocolate); Chantilly and chocolate garnish for decoration (optional)

Prep5 min

Cook10 min

Servings2

DifficultyEasy

By Menucochon|

March 9, 2025

|Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Preparation

Instructions

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Heat the Milk
In a saucepan, pour the milk and heat it over medium heat without bringing to a boil. A high temperature could alter the texture of the chocolate.
Add Chocolate and Cocoa
Finely chop the dark chocolate and add it to the hot milk. Also add cocoa powder sifted to avoid lumps.
Stir Gently
Stir continuously with a whisk until the chocolate is completely melted. This ensures a homogeneous texture and prevents the chocolate from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan.
Add Flavors
Incorporate sugar, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and cinnamon. Mix well to allow all flavors to blend harmoniously in your homemade hot chocolate.
Add Liquid Cream (Optional)
If you want a more indulgent homemade hot chocolate, add liquid cream and mix until a smooth texture is obtained.
Serve and Decorate
Pour your homemade hot chocolate into cups. For an extra indulgent touch, add whipped cream and sprinkle with chocolate shavings.

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Our Tips

Chef's tips for making this recipe

Homemade Hot Chocolate - Old Fashioned

Replace whole milk with coconut milk and add a pinch of nutmeg for an exotic hot chocolate.

Homemade Spiced Hot Chocolate

Use pastry chocolate melted with whole milk and a touch of cream for an ultra-rich texture.

Add a pinch of Cayenne pepper for a Mexican-inspired version of homemade hot chocolate.

Note: The cooking terms "lait entier" translates to "whole milk", "lait de coco" translates to "coconut milk", and "noix de muscade" translates to "nutmeg". The term "piment de Cayenne" translates to "Cayenne pepper".

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Serving Suggestions

Frequently Asked Questions

4 questions about this recipe

Choose Good Chocolate : The better the chocolate, the better your homemade hot chocolate will be.
Do Not Boil the Milk : A gentle heat preserves all the flavors.
Vary the Milks : Try with almond milk, hazelnut milk or oat milk for unique flavors.
Add Spices : A touch of cinnamon or nutmeg can enhance the taste of chocolate.
Sweeten to Taste : You can replace sugar with honey or maple syrup for a more natural version.