If you love hot chocolate, but loathe the synthetic version that comes in an envelope, I have some good news for you. In the above video, I’ll show you how to make the real McCoy entirely from scratch. It’s the hot chocolate of my youth!
And speaking of youth…sipping homemade hot chocolate always brings out the child in me. On cold December evenings, I like curl up with the rich and comforting brew while watching back-to-back episodes of The Brady Brunch, The Partridge Family, and The Mod Squad. Believe it or not, there was time when I wanted be Greg Brady. Or Keith Partridge. Or Julie Barnes.
Confession: When Mr. Fox is home, we both drink hot chocolate while binge-watching “The Crown.” Mr. Fox prefers my “adult” side.
Anyway, onto the next part of this recipe: the printable version!
This is the hot chocolate of my youth. It's rich, fragrant, and absolutely welcome on a cold winter's eve.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Pinch of salt
- 3 cups whole milk
- Optional: a small splash of pure vanilla extract
- Optional for serving: whipped cream
Instructions
- Tip the water into saucepan set over medium-high heat. Add the chocolate, and stir, gently, until water comes to a boil and the chocolate melts -- about 3 minutes. Then stir in the sugar, salt, milk and -- if you are using it -- the vanilla extract. Bring the mixture to a simmer, and then remove from heat. Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs, add a spritz of whipped cream if you must, and serve while hot.
- Pass out from pleasure.
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Leisa Joan says
You should try Burdick’s chocolate…they make it in Walpole NH…sell it in Cambridge MA, and I think NYC. but can get online. it’s divine & comes in dark, milk, white and spicy. I love Mexican Hot Chocolate! Try with a splash of Bailey’s! yum.
Tracy says
Can you help me understand the logic of adding water? Is it really too thick otherwise?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Tracy – This is my mother’s and grandmother’s recipe for hot chocolate, which I have adored since…forever. In truth, I wondered about the water, too. I think it eliminates the need for a separate dish in which to melt the chocolate. Also, it mitigates the scorching that might occur were the chocolate to be melted in the saucepan with milk. In any event, I hope you’ll give the recipe a try!
Gina says
Hi Kevin…any chance you have a recipe for those of us who love white hot
Chocolate? I’ve only been able to find white hot chocolate in a package, and I’ve decided that I need to come up with a recipe for homemade, because the packages just don’t cut it. Happy Holidays Kevin! I love your blog and especially your humor 🙂
Mary V says
Kevin, make you own marshmallows they are so different than those chemical ones!
Kate says
It’s always a happy day when there’s one of your videos to watch. I think I’ll make this tonight to sip while we’re decorating the tree. I’m sure it will be delicious – even tho’ I only have a red spatula, not a green one! Wishing you and Mr. Fox a wonderful Christmas, and I know we all look forward to more from you in the New Year.
Jean says
Your recipe sounds delicious. I grew up using a similar recipe but with pure cocoa powder in place of the chopped chocolate. Also yummy. I will definitely try yours.
Lynn says
I never use water. I just melt the chocolate in the milk. Perfectly easy.
However, I have to say my favourite hot chocolate is the Spanish Paladin brand. Intended for dipping churros, it thickens up to almost the consistency of custard. Delicious. Have to buy it on ebay though as I’m in Australia and it’s not available here.
Annie says
Just made this and it is very good…You are so right, much better than the packaged ones! Merry Christmas!
Julie R says
Kevin, I enjoyed watching and learning from your Hot Chocolate from Scratch video. It took me back in time to when I was younger and I would go ice skating at a park that was across the street from my home, and then come home and have hot chocolate. I always enjoyed the hot chocolate as much as the ice skating = )
Ellie B says
This sounds sooooooo good! Thank you for your recipe, which we will be trying very soon.
Cynthia Hill says
Hi Kevin, and Merry Christmas to you and Mr Fox….
Just wanted to tell you Amazon still doesn’t have your book.
I suspect that your publisher was blind to your success and
ran short.
Sorry for you that someone dropped the ball.
I’m patient, kind of, but I want my cookbook!
Happy 2018 –
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Cynthia – My book is always in stock at BookBaby.com! Here’s the link: Kevin’s Kitchen: 100 Recipes for Delicious Living.
Trudi says
Yay for bookbaby .com!….and REAl hot chocolate . Merry Christmas!
Annie says
Thank you so much, Kevin. As always you bring joy, tasty treats and new ideas.
I have always made my own hot chocolate but not with bar chocolate. I’ve always used powdered cocoa, heavy whipping cream and some sugar mixed into a paste in the bottom of a cup. And then I pour hot water slowly into that and top with some milk to cool it if necessary.
Now I have to try it your way – looks divine.
PS:
There are recipes for homemade marshmallows available. I have one but I haven’t made them yet. I should get to it…sometime after the Christmas celebrations.
Annie says
I’m back
I just remembered something else I wanted to say.
There are scrumptious things you can add to your hot chocolate that make it “sparkle”. Here are my favorites: Rum and/or a tiny pinch of cayenne or Chinese 5-spice.
Annie says
I just read through all the comments and just can’t help myself 🙂 …
Using water instead of all milk brings out the chocolate flavor much more than just using milk. It simply has more freshness and deepness to it. Using all milk dilutes the thing and can end up with a burnt milk flavor. But then, I’m a dark chocolate lover and will use 70% chocolate instead of 60% anyway.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Annie – Thanks for the water note. Makes perfect sense!
christine milo says
Kevin, My Christmas was very merry this year because my (best friend…and) ex husband bought me your cookbook! Love It!!!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Hi Christine – I’m so glad you like the cookbook!
Katie says
I just gave this recipe a try and I have no idea why I waited so long. It’s so quick and simple! Even my husband, who usually doesn’t have many comments about food, said “Hm, this is good! What brand is this?”