Homemade Cinnamon Hot Chocolate With Cocoa Powder

This extra creamy homemade cinnamon hot chocolate with cocoa powder is the most satisfying way to warm up this winter.

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The Perfect Holiday Drink

Winter is a magical time of year with lots of amazing treats, and hot chocolate is definitely one of them. There’s nothing that warms you up and satisfies you like a cup of cocoa. Once I tried this homemade cinnamon hot chocolate, I’ve never been able to settle for plain old hot cocoa ever again.

Perfectly spiced with a hint of ground cinnamon, this cocoa recipe is everything you crave during the fall and winter months. It is sweet, creamy, and extra chocolatey. Not only is this recipe delicious, but it’s also simple to whip up in just minutes.

Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate

For a long time, I only ever used packaged hot chocolate mixes to make cocoa at home. Then I realized how quick and easy it is to make it yourself, not to mention how much more rich and flavorful it is. Once I started making hot chocolate from scratch, I never went back.

The addition of melted chocolate chips in this cocoa recipe makes for an even richer chocolatey flavor. I like to use milk chocolate chips but semi-sweet and dark chocolate chips work great too!

homemade-cinnamon-hot-chocolate-with-cocoa-powder.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

I’m convinced there’s nothing you won’t love about this tried and true recipe. It’s always been a favorite among friends and family around the holidays. Besides being super quick and easy, here are a few more reasons this homemade cinnamon hot chocolate will be your new go-to holiday drink recipe:

It’s made with a handful of basic ingredients you probably have at home
You can take it to the next level with your favorite toppings
It’s ready to serve in less than 10 minutes
You can easily double the recipe for a bigger batch
It stores well in the refrigerator for several days

Ingredients

Milk: The milk is the base of this hot chocolate recipe. I recommend using whole milk or 2% milk for the best creamy texture.

Heavy cream: The heavy cream adds even more creaminess to this recipe. Half and half is a good substitute for the heavy cream. If needed, you can swap it out for additional milk.

Unsweetened cocoa powder: I use Hershey’s brand natural unsweetened cocoa powder. Combined with the chocolate chips, the cocoa powder contributes a rich, creamy, chocolatey flavor.

Granulated sugar: The granulated sugar dissolved into the milk when heated and sweetens the cocoa to perfection.

Salt: The salt enhances the rich chocolate flavor and balances out the sweetness of the hot chocolate.

Chocolate chips: The chocolate chips intensify the chocolate flavor and add a deeper, richer flavor than cocoa powder alone. I like to use milk chocolate chips but semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips work great too.

Pure vanilla extract: Adding vanilla extract provides another layer of flavor that compliments the chocolate and cinnamon.

Ground cinnamon: The ground cinnamon is what makes this recipe extra special. The warm spice flavor from the cinnamon takes this hot chocolate to the next level.

How To Make This Recipe

This hot chocolate recipe is super simple to make in less than 10 minutes. To get started, place a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the milk, heavy cream, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, and salt.

Be sure to whisk the mixture frequently while it’s heating up. Once it’s warm, add in the chocolate chips and whisk continuously until they are completely melted.

Finally, whisk in the vanilla extract and ground cinnamon until it’s fully combined. Remove the hot chocolate from the heat and serve immediately. Top with your favorite toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, caramel drizzle, etc.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Don’t skip the milk: Many people use water instead of milk when making hot chocolate. Milk plays an important role in this recipe along with the heavy cream to provide a thick and creamy hot cocoa. That said, if you need to replace the cream with additional milk in this recipe, it may be a little less creamy but still delicious!

Try adding coffee creamer: Using different flavored coffee creamers in your hot chocolate is a great way to incorporate various flavors. One of my favorites is the hazelnut creamer by Coffee-mate. Just add in the creamer when you are ready to serve.

Cook it on the stovetop: While this recipe can be made in the microwave, I highly recommend making it on the stovetop. Not only does it allow you to control the temperature, but it also gives you the ability to whisk the mixture as needed.

How To Store Leftovers

This homemade cinnamon hot chocolate can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Be sure to keep it in a well-sealed container.

When you're ready to serve it, reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave. To keep the hot chocolate warm for an extended period of time, you can warm it up in a crockpot on low heat.

Spiced Hot Chocolate Topping Ideas

Hot chocolate toppings are a must for me, so here are some of my favorite toppings for this cinnamon hot chocolate.

Whipped cream
Marshmallows
Ground cinnamon
Chocolate sprinkles
Mini chocolate chips
Chocolate or caramel drizzle
Chocolate shavings

Single Serving Hot Chocolate

Do you want to make hot chocolate for one rather than a whole batch? Just use the following ingredient measurements and follow the recipe as directed.

1 cup milk
1 tablespoon heavy cream or half and half
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
A pinch of salt
2 tablespoon chocolate chips
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon

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Recipe FAQ’s

Can you microwave milk for hot chocolate?

You can microwave milk for hot chocolate, but be very careful not to burn it. I prefer to heat mine on the stove because it’s easier to control the temperature. I’ve also found that the cocoa powder and other ingredients dissolve better on the stove top and don’t leave clumps.

What is Mexican hot chocolate??

Mexican hot chocolate is made with spices like cinnamon and chili powder. It’s also usually made with bittersweet chocolate to create a very rich but less sweet flavor. It differs from traditional American hot chocolate which is usually made with cocoa powder and/or chocolate and tends to be sweeter.

Does hot chocolate have caffeine?

Yes, caffeine is a natural component in chocolate, including natural unsweetened cocoa powder. Be sure to read any ingredient nutrition labels to ensure that the ingredients you use meet your dietary needs.

Can I use hot cocoa mix instead of cocoa powder?

No, I do not recommend using hot cocoa mix in place of the cocoa powder. It contains additional ingredients that will alter the outcome of your hot chocolate.

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

While there is technically a difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa, the terms are commonly used interchangeably, especially in the US. The difference is that hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder, while hot chocolate is made with actual chocolate. Either way, you can generally use these two as synonyms. Since this recipe is made with cocoa powder and chocolate, it’s both!

Homemade Cinnamon Hot Chocolate (With Cocoa Powder)