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Home / Drinks

Easy Classic Hot Chocolate | Cute Christmas Gift

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Thick, sweet and so chocolatey, this hot chocolate recipe not only tastes delicious, but you know what's in it. Plus, grab a little jar and make a mix and you've got some really cute gifts for teachers, neighbors or friends.

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Best Basic Hot Chocolate Gifts | Great for the holidays. So much better than powdered mixes!
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Best Basic Hot Chocolate Gifts | Great for the holidays. So much better than powdered mixes!

Tell me about this hot chocolate recipe.

  • Thick - No watery hot chocolate for me, no sir. Plenty of chocolate chips make this homemade cocoa sweet and thick, the way hot chocolate should be.
  • Easily Customizable - This recipe can be used with dark, semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips. Skim, whole or milk substitute. Make it your own favorite hot drink.
  • Pairs Well - This hot chocolate pairs really well with peppermint Oreos, fluffy socks, a fire in the fireplace and a sleepy dog. It's my all-time favorite hot drink when I've filled my hollow leg with coffee.
  • Give it Away - As you can see in the photos, this hot chocolate makes for a really cute gift. I'm putting a bow around a few of these jars and giving them to my son's teachers and my neighbors. See below for more ideas on making this gift special and simple!
Best Basic Hot Chocolate Gifts | Great for the holidays. So much better than powdered mixes!

Looking for more hot drink ideas?

  • Dairy Free Raspberry Hot Chocolate - Love this recipe when it comes time to mix it up.
  • Hygge Hot Chocolate - Another classic hot chocolate, but this time without the dairy.
  • Pumpkin Spice Steamer - Love a Pumpkin Spice Latte? This is a homemade version minus the coffee. A great afternoon holiday drink without the caffeine.
  • Baileys Mocha - This is the ultimate evening comfort hot drink. Chocolatey, boozy and will give you all the holiday feels.
Best Basic Hot Chocolate Recipe | Great for the holidays. So much better than powdered mixes!

Make this for a crowd

If you're looking to make a large amount of homemade hot cocoa, either for a gathering or yourself you can multiply this recipe and combine all ingredients in a crockpot on high heat. Once the chocolate chips have melted, bring the temperature down to low and then you can ladle the night away.

Ideas to set up a hot cocoa bar

If you're able to gather (this is written circa 2020 and the land of the lonely Friday nights) set up a simple hot cocoa bar and host a game night, movie night, or just invite a few neighbors to come by for hot cocoa and some Christmas music! No matter which way you do it, this recipe makes for a wonderful hot chocolate bar. Here are some great toppings and add-ins so everyone can make their drink special.

  • Whip Cream
  • Marshmallows
  • Candy Canes
  • Mini Chocolate Chips
  • Cinnamon Powder and Cinnamon Sticks
  • Baileys for the Adults
  • Flavored Syrups - Like Raspberry, Peppermint or Caramel
  • Crushed Candy Canes to Sprinkle on top of Whip Cream
  • Andes Mints
  • Sprinkles
  • Pirouette Cookies (or any straw-like cookie)
  • Toffee Bits (or any favorite crushed candy)
Best Basic Hot Chocolate Gifts | Great for the holidays. So much better than powdered mixes!

A Simple way to make a really cute gift this season

If you're wanting to use this recipe to make some really cute gifts for teachers, neighbors, friends, your mail person, deliver person or anyone you appreciate, there are some simple ways to get it done quick! Here's a list of what you'll need to make these little gifts

  • Mason or Ball jars - 8 ounce jars would give you 4 servings of hot cocoa, see the recipe and instructions below for amounts per jar. (We used cute little jars we found at World Market for individual servings.)
  • Vanilla Powder - this is totally optional, but would give the powdered version of this hot cocoa a more authentic and delicious flavor.
  • Chocolate Chips - Mix it up and make it extra special by using some milk, semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips.
  • Ribbon & Cards - We found some cute little cards in the Dollar Spot at Target, and the string we found in the bottom of Rachel's sewing box. (When you live deep in the woods, you use what you have, right?) This is a great way to use up the last bits of cards (we cut ours up from a larger card) and ribbons from Christmas. So simple!

Love this hot chocolate recipe? Try these other delicious hot drink recipes!

  • Pumpkin Spice Steamer Crème | Starbucks copycat. It's the Pumpkin Spice Latte without the coffee. A perfect winter day hot drink. Fresh ingredients, full of fall flavor.
    Pumpkin Spice Steamer |
    Starbucks Copycat
  • Bailey's Mocha with Espresso, Chocolate, Milk and Bailey's | Perfect holiday drink or just an anytime drink—hot, comforting and delicious #baileys #mocha #coffee #holiday #Christmas #hotdrink
    Baileys Irish Cream Mocha
Best Basic Hot Chocolate Gifts | Great for the holidays. So much better than powdered mixes!

The BEST Classic Hot Chocolate

The perfect blend of ingredients for classic homemade hot chocolate
5 from 3 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Drinks
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving

Ingredients

Individual

  • 1 ½ C milk 2% or whole
  • 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ¼ C chocolate chips semi-sweet or dark
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • dash salt

If Making for a Crowd (10 servings)

  • 1 gallon milk
  • 1 ¼ C unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ⅔ C granulated sugar
  • 2 ½ C chocolate chips semi-sweet or dark
  • 2 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 2 teaspoon salt more to taste

If Making for Gifts (16 oz jar)

  • ½ C unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ¼ C granulated sugar
  • 1 C chocolate chips mini or regular size
  • 2 teaspoon powdered vanilla see above recipe for link and info
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Individual

  • Warm milk In a sauce pan on low heat.
  • Add cocoa powder and sugar. Whisk until dissolved.
  • When warmed, add chocolate chips and stir until melted.
  • Remove from heat and add vanilla.
  • Top with whip cream or marshmallows and chocolate chips.

If Making for a Crowd

  • Turn crockpot on high.
  • Add all ingredients. Stir frequently until chocolate chips have melted.
  • Once melted, turn heat to low and keep on low, stirring occasionally.
  • Serve right from the crockpot with a ladle and enjoy!

If Making for a Gift

  • Ingredients can be layered (like in the photos) or you can shake it up so it's ready to use right away. Once shaken, fill any empty space at the top with marshmallows, crushed candy canes, or any other special topping you enjoy!
The BEST Simple Hot Chocolate Gifts | Great for the holidays. So much better than powdered mixes! #hotchocolate #simplehotcocoa #hotcocoa #teachersgift

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Rachel and Amy

 

Here at The Oven Light, we are always looking for ways to cut cooking time in half (or more!). We use shortcuts that don’t sacrifice flavor, we’re just getting smarter with our time. You won’t find “dump” meals here, but rather an approach to cooking that is mindful and intentional with time AND taste. 

— Amy and Rachel

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