What's the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate?

Hot cocoa is typically made with unsweetened cocoa powder, milk, and sugar—it's lighter, sweeter, and has a thinner consistency. Hot chocolate traditionally uses melted chocolate (from a chocolate bar or chocolate chips), which creates a thicker, richer drink that is often less sweet.

How can I make hot chocolate richer, creamier, or more flavorful?

For a richer, creamier hot chocolate, use whole milk. You can also increase the chocolate chips to ½ cup for more chocolatey depth and a thicker texture. You can also stir in a tablespoon of butter at the end for French-style hot chocolate. You can also use dark chocolate or Dutch process cocoa powder for a deeper, darker chocolate flavor.

Can I keep hot chocolate warm in a crockpot?

Yes! A crockpot is perfect for keeping hot chocolate warm at parties or gatherings. Make the hot chocolate on the stovetop first, then transfer it to your crockpot set on the "warm" or "low" setting. Never use the "high" setting, which can scorch the milk and overheat the chocolate. The hot chocolate will stay warm and ready to serve for 2-3 hours. Give it a good whisk every 30 minutes to prevent a skin from forming on top.

This Homemade Hot Chocolate Makes Winter Bearable

Name: Homemade Hot Chocolate
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons cocoa powder; 2 cups 2% milk (or oat milk); 3 tablespoons sugar; 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 pinch cinnamon; 1/4 cup (1 1/2 ounces) semisweet or dark chocolate chips*

Homemade Hot Chocolate

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5 from 6 reviews

Here’s the very best homemade hot chocolate recipe: full of rich chocolaty flavor and easy to whip up in 5 minutes. Never buy the mix again!

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 2 drinks 1x
Category: Drink
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

3 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 cups 2% milk (or oat milk)
3 tablespoons sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch cinnamon
1/4 cup (1 1/2 ounces) semisweet or dark chocolate chips*

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Instructions

Place a saucepan over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and 1/4 cup of the milk and whisk until the cocoa powder is mostly integrated. Whisk in the remaining milk until smooth.
Add the remaining ingredients and heat over medium heat until the chocolate is melted, about 2 minutes. Do not boil. Serve immediately, garnished with whipped cream or marshmallows.

Notes

*You can omit the chocolate for a great cup of hot cocoa with a lighter flavor (and less calories). But the chocolate really adds richness in flavor.

Storage and leftovers notes: Hot chocolate is best enjoyed fresh, but cooled leftovers store up to 3 days in the refrigerator. The cocoa and chocolate may separate, which is normal. To reheat, warm leftovers gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, whisking frequently. You can also reheat individual servings in the microwave in 15-second bursts, stirring in between each burst.

Crockpot / slow cooker: This recipe easily doubles, triples, or scales even larger for parties. For big batches, make it on the stovetop in a large pot, then transfer it to a crockpot to keep it warm for serving (on the “Low” or “Warm” setting, whisking every 30 minutes).

Find it online: https://www.acouplecooks.com/homemade-hot-chocolate-recipe/