18 Hot Chocolate and Cocoa Recipes That Will Bring You Warmth and Comfort

With our recipes, you can easily make hot chocolate any time to suit any taste, from traditional to spiced cocoa.

How to Make - 18 Hot Chocolate and Cocoa Recipes That Will Give You a Feeling of Warmth and Coziness

Calling all chocolate lovers!

Who doesn't love curling up with a cup of hot chocolate when the weather gets cold? We certainly do! And while you can use store-bought mixes (which, by the way, are also great for baking), nothing beats a cup of homemade cocoa. Some people think hot chocolate is difficult to make from scratch, but it's actually quite simple. With just a few common ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can quickly and easily whip up a delicious, warming drink. Wondering where to start? We love this recipe because it features three delicious flavoring ideas: sweet, smoky, and minty. With no extra effort, you'll transform ordinary hot chocolate into a one-of-a-kind treat!

Recipe: How to make hot chocolate at home

Hot chocolate made with cocoa powder

Ellie Krieger's delicious hot chocolate is made with just a few common ingredients found in almost any kitchen. Rich cocoa powder and aromatic cinnamon make it delicious without the extra calories. Garnish with grated dark chocolate, if desired.

Recipe: Hot chocolate made from cocoa

Spiced hot chocolate

A mug of hot chocolate will be even warmer when filled with a Mexican spice mix of cinnamon, cardamom, chili pepper, and nutmeg. Add a pinch of homemade vanilla sugar, and this drink will be irresistible! Make this hot chocolate mixture in advance. Store it in a tightly sealed jar.

Recipe: Spiced hot chocolate

Homemade hot chocolate

To make hot chocolate a special, impressive treat, you can, of course, make a chocolate bomb, but the easiest option is to decorate it with chocolate lace, which will melt in the mug from the hot liquid. In this recipe, Ree Drummond teaches you how to easily make such a decoration. You can even make more lace to have on hand for all the holidays.

Recipe: Homemade hot chocolate

A festive drink made with white chocolate and liqueur

Just in time for the holidays, Ina Garten updates this popular winter classic, using chopped white chocolate instead of regular cocoa. A splash of orange liqueur brightens the flavor, while a sprinkling of natural vanilla seeds adds an elegant touch.

Recipe: A festive drink made with white chocolate and liqueur

Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Make a big batch of the perfect hot chocolate for your family or friends with this easy slow cooker recipe. Dark chocolate is best for this drink, as it has a rich and balanced flavor. You can use a bar or chocolate chips. Serve the hot chocolate with a variety of toppings, such as mini marshmallows, whipped cream, striped candy canes, or caramel sauce. This treat always brings a sense of celebration, warmth, and comfort.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate

Festive hot chocolate made with chocolate and milk

If you're looking for a truly rich, velvety hot chocolate recipe, this is it! The drink gets its gorgeous texture from the blending of whole milk and cream, while coffee adds a hint of morning flavor. Ina Garten serves each serving of hot chocolate with a cinnamon stick to stir the drink and infuse it with extra flavor.

Recipe: Festive hot chocolate made with chocolate and milk

Hot chocolate made from dark chocolate

The easiest way to make truly delicious cocoa is to use two types of chocolate and milk. Simply melt everything over low heat until the drink is thick and smooth. Serve with a marshmallow in each mug.

Recipe: Hot chocolate made from dark chocolate

White hot chocolate with cardamom

White chocolate provides the perfect backdrop for the fragrant, warming cardamom in this hot drink, perfect for sipping on a cool winter evening. If you're a hot chocolate fan but haven't tried the white version, now's the time to enjoy it with a handful of melting mini marshmallows.

Recipe: White hot chocolate with cardamom

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Hot chocolate with almond milk

This cocoa has three times the chocolate, and it even has Nutella—yummy! The drink is thick, silky, and warming. Bake some cookies and treat yourself and your loved ones to a mug of hot cocoa—a perfect mood-lifter on a stormy day.

Recipe: Hot chocolate with almond milk

Mint hot chocolate made with cocoa powder, milk and chocolate

Add a dash of peppermint extract to homemade hot chocolate and serve with a mint candy cane for an even more intense, refreshing flavor. For an even more festive touch, garnish with whipped cream.

Recipe: Mint hot chocolate made with cocoa powder, milk and chocolate

Hot chocolate with gingerbread flavor

Molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon, allspice, and nutmeg give this hot chocolate a warming gingerbread flavor. Cocoa and milk balance the spices, while milk chocolate adds a creamy, rich texture. Garnish the hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream and mini marshmallows and indulge in this enchanting drink on a crisp winter's day.

Recipe: Hot chocolate with gingerbread flavor

White hot chocolate

Transform traditional hot chocolate into a sophisticated treat by substituting white chocolate for regular cocoa. This variation offers a richer, creamier flavor with a captivating hint of natural vanilla. Ina Garten serves the drink hot as an elegant holiday dessert, adding a vanilla bean to each cup for stirring.

Recipe: White hot chocolate

Hot chocolate without extra calories

A delicious, rich hot chocolate whose aroma alone lifts the spirits. Dates, milk, and a touch of vanilla extract make it just the right amount of sweet without the added refined sugar. Besides being a great fruity sweetener, dates also enhance the flavor of your chocolate drink, adding vitamins, beneficial micronutrients, and dietary fiber. All ingredients are simmered, and then the cocoa is blended. Be careful when handling the hot liquid, and don't completely close the blender lid. Garnish with whipped cream and cinnamon, if desired.

Recipe: Hot chocolate without extra calories

Champurrado: Mexican Thick Hot Chocolate

Champurrado is a sweet Mexican hot chocolate thickened with cornflour and served as a dessert on its own or with churros. The key to champurrado is the airy foam on top, so before serving, whisk it and pour it into cups, ensuring foam covers every serving.

Recipe: Champurrado: Mexican Thick Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate made from milk and chocolate with cinnamon

Valerie Bertinelli infuses her hot chocolate with cinnamon flavor by simply adding a couple of cinnamon sticks to the pot while slowly simmering milk with Mexican chocolate. The resulting drink is silky, warming, and subtly spicy.

Recipe: Hot chocolate made from milk and chocolate with cinnamon

Hot chocolate with milk chocolate and tahini

Hot chocolate with sesame tahini paste is a two-in-one recipe. It's made with homemade chocolate spread, which can be spread on toast like Nutella or poured over hot milk for a warming winter drink!

Recipe: Hot chocolate with milk chocolate and tahini

Mint hot chocolate

Enjoy the combination of chocolate and mint in this cozy winter drink, the taste of which is sure to set the holiday spirit. In addition to cocoa, real chocolate is added to the milk, creating a rich and satisfying drink, while a mint candy adds a hint of peppermint. Top with whipped cream and enjoy!

Recipe: Mint hot chocolate