The World’s Best Hot Chocolate is creamy, rich, chocolate-y and delicious. You’ll never want to buy store-bought hot chocolate again!
What is your favorite Hot Chocolate memory?
Christmas is only 3 days away and I can hardly wait! Are you as excited as I am?
Christmas Eve has always been special around our house! We gather around the fire, play games, enjoy hot beverages together and open presents from one another. On Christmas morning, we get up in our pajamas to rush downstairs and enjoy the overfilled stockings that Santa has left us.
What I love most about Christmas though, is getting to spend time together with family, sharing stories and being thankful for all the blessings in my life.
Because the Christmas Eve & Christmas tradition is so special to us, I wanted to share my very favorite hot chocolate recipe. This recipe has a long history with my family.
When I was a little girl, I used to visit my grandparents for the weekend. Every morning grandma would make me cinnamon toast and a steaming mug of hot chocolate. It was The World’s Best Hot Chocolate in my opinion, and I love it as much now, as I did then. It makes me feel all warm and cuddly inside, like a kid again! I think you’ll love it too ~ and who doesn’t want to feel like a kid at Christmas? I know, right?!
Hot cocoa is so easy to make at home. And, the best part about it is…, you can make it as chocolate-y or as sweet as you want! You can even add peppermint chips, marshmallows or any other flavor that you love.
I love to keep chocolate chips melted in a small crockpot so you can dip marshmallows and candy canes whenever you want. It’s great, interactive fun for the kids. Adults too! 🙂 #feellikeakidagain
The recipe provided here is kid-friendly, but it’s super easy to make a dressed-up adult version cocktail. Just add a shot of Peppermint Schnapps! (Trust me, this is nummy!) My favorite Peppermint Schnapps to use is Rumple Minz, but any brand is fine.
It’s also a lot of fun to make a BIG thermos of jacked-up hot chocolate (read=peppermint schnapps) to go on a sleigh ride, gather around a campfire or carry with us while singing Christmas carols. 🙂
By now, you probably get the idea of how much fun old fashioned Hot Chocolate can be. So tell me – what is your favorite Hot Chocolate memory?
Try it! Have a steaming mug of Hot Cocoa this Christmas Eve! Your family will love it!
Enjoy!
The World's Best Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 can 12 fluid ounces evaporated milk
- 1 can water use evaporated milk can once emptied
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa*
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Instructions
- Combine evaporated milk and water in a medium-sized saucepan and mix well. Add 1/3 to 1/2 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar. Whisk hot chocolate with a whisk until cocoa is mixed in and sugar dissolves. Heat over medium heat until hot enough to serve.
- Serve!
Notes
Candy Cane & Marshmallow Santa Hats
Ingredients
- 1 10-ounce bag bittersweet chocolate chips
- 1 16-ounce bag large marshmallows
- 1 package small candy canes
- 1 package crushed peppermint chips
Instructions
- Melt chocolate chips in a small crockpot* (see notes).
- Insert candy cane into the center of a marshmallow. Dip the bottom half of the marshmallow into melted chocolate, and place on parchment paper for 30 seconds to 1 minute to let excess chocolate melt off.
- Then, roll or dip chocolate marshmallow in crushed peppermint chips. Let cool and serve!
Notes
The World’s Best Hot Chocolate
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
OMG Kristi, there are no two ways about it – This is the BEST hot chocolate ever! Grandma’s recipes are always the best! <3 Loving the steam coming off it!!!! It's making me hungry for a LARGE mug of this beauty! I'm loving the marshmallow hanging on the candy cane… Just SO CUTE AND yum!!! Pinning! <3
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Samina! I loved the little Santa hats (as I call them), and trust me – this was the best tasting Hot Chocolate eveh! xoxo
Kristi @ My SF Kitchen says
This hot chocolate is so beautiful and festive!!
Kristi says
Thank you Kristi! It was sssooo tasty, and I thought it was festive for the season too!
marcie says
You say this is the World’s best hot cocoa, and I believe you — it looks like it! Plenty of chocolate and crushed candy canes and a gorgeous marshmallow? This is the stuff that makes eyes light up, and I love the story of you at your grandmother’s house! My favorite hot chocolate memories are with my kids. We started a tradition when they were old enough to make hot chocolate when we trim the tree every Christmas, and I used to make it for them to go drive around and look at lights before they got old on me. haha Pinned!
Kristi says
That is a GREAT story Marcie! I love the idea of having hot chocolate while you’re driving around looking at lights! It sounds so comforting, warm, and memorable. I’ll bet your kids never, ever forget that! You are such a great mom! Thanks for the pin too! 🙂 xoxoxoxo Happy Holidays to one of my favorite internet friends!
Shikha @ Shikha la mode says
I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS. I’m 100% about to Tweet this and make this ASAP cuz I need all those adorable marshmallows in my life!!
Kristi says
YES! Me too Shikha! I’m obsessed with it too! Thank you for the tweet. You will love this hot chocolate! Oh, and the marshmallows too! They are super fun to make!
Ruby Red Apron says
Wow! What a pretty cup of hot chocolate. I bet it tastes delicious. Mmm I have to try this! I love the Santa hats too. 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Ruby! I had such a great time making these – they were fun, and the hot chocolate is to die for! Merry Christmas!
K / Pure & Complex says
I remember my mother making me hot chocolate, right before going to bed on Christmas Eve. She said if I didn’t go to bed, no presents would be under the tree lol. So I drunk up quick. Thanks for reminding me of that., Great hot chocolate recipe
Kristi says
Hahahaha! I love that story! What a great way to get kids to go to sleep real quick (or at least pretend!). I’ll be it worked every single time. Your mom is a very smart mother! 🙂
Daniela @ FoodrecipesHQ says
This cup is so artistic! Very festive and warming. Everybody would love sipping this hot chocolate in my house.
Kristi says
Thanks Daniela! It was a ton of fun to do. I think I had more fun decorating it than anything! 🙂 Happy Holidays!
Kelly says
Oh Kristi, I don’t think I’ve ever craved for a mug of hot chocolate as much as I do now! This looks absolutely perfect! I love the steam coming off it and those dipped marshmallows look so pretty with the crushed peppermint chips. Love your Christmas traditions too – sounds like the best! Merry merry Christmas to you and your family and hope you all enjoy the holidays!!! 🙂
Kristi says
Thank you Kelly! It was so much fun to decorate the mug! Your kids would LOVE to make the marshmallows – so easy and festive! I hope you and your family have a lovely holiday! xoxo
Sara@ Home is Where The Cookies Are says
We made hot cocoa the other day too and finally took a time-out from all the business of December, but I was did NOT have these little Santa hats on hand, and I think they’re a must for next time!! So cute. Merry Christmas!!
Kristi says
Thanks Sara! I absolutely loved the little ‘Santa hats’. I thought they made that mug look so adorable! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas! xoxo
Katie @ Sweet Society says
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!! The marshmallows are brilliant:) I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful holiday and very Happy New Year!!
Kristi says
Thank you Katie! You’re making me blush! I thought they were so cute too! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Holiday and a safe, Happy New Year! Many blessings!
Manali @ CookWithManali says
I need a cup of this right now! looks so good Kristi! and stunning pictures! Pinned.
PS: you still need to tell me how to take the steam pictures! 😀
Kristi says
Thanks for the pin Manali! I got lucky with that steaming picture with the little curl! I just loved that!
D Fanyak says
That was Amazing Kristi. You know, My Mother made that same recipe for hot chocolate for me when I was a girl…hmmm wonder how that happened? I LOVED it too, but of course she didn’t have the same pizzazz that you have, but she would have loved what you’ve done and what you’ve said about such special memories. Great Job, and Have a Very Merry Christmas
Kristi says
Ahhhhh, thanks! You’re my favorite fan. xoxoxo Hahaha, you silly girl.
Ashley @ ashleymarieskitchen says
That hot chocolate looks so delicious and festive! I love the addition of the dipped marshmallows 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Ashley! I loved that marshmallow too! It reminds me of a Santa hat! 🙂 Have a Merry Christmas!
GiGi Eats says
If you walk back into the room and notice all the marshmallows missing…. I didn’t eat them! 😉
Kristi says
Hahahaha! That made me LOL! Have a great Christmas! 🙂
ananda says
wow this not only looks scrumptious it’s so pretty and festive!! i am going to add a pinch of chili to mine! 😉
happy holidays dear kristi!!! xoxo
Kristi says
Thank you Ananda! I am so glad you like it! I hope you have a wonderful holiday! xoxo
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Christmas Eve and Christmas morning sound so fun at your house! love that you made your grandma’s worlds best hot chocolate. . I want a big mug of this right now! Merry Christmas!!
Kristi says
Thanks Alice! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas too! And best of all – wishing you good health, happiness and the greatest success for 2015! xoxo
Elizabeth @ SugarHero says
I saw this post in my feed reader, and I immediately had to click over–both the title and photo were too much for me to resist! What a sweet story about enjoying this cocoa with your family, and I know exactly what you mean! I definitely have a few of those food associations of my own. I am a hot chocolate fiend and can’t wait to try this version. Merry Christmas, Kristi!
Kristi says
Thanks Elizabeth! We LOVE this Hot Chocolate! So creamy and rich, and it definitely brings back great memories. I hope you and your family have a happy, healthy and loved filled Christmas! xoxo
Monica says
Merry Christmas and a very happy and healthy New Year to you and your family, Kristi! This hot chocolate looks so festive and sounds utterly delicious! I grew up in a world where evaporated milk (and condensed milk) made drinks and food a whole lot better. This recipe is genius. Your grandma was a gem, clearly.
Kristi says
Thank you Monica! So sorry I missed this! It went to my spam folder! I love seeing comments from you – so sorry I didn’t respond earlier! Happy New Year! xoxo
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
What a glorious warm cup of hot chocolate, craving some right now! Happy holidays! Have a great one and eat lots of cookies! 🙂
Kristi says
Thanks Pamela! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a healthy New Year! Thank you for being a loyal follower! xoxo
June Burns says
*fans self* oh my that is just hot! I love the candy cane rim, I’d bite down on that 🙂
Kristi says
Hahahaha! That made me LOL this morning June! Thanks for the great laugh! And, I’m so glad you like it, but girl, don’t you faint on me. 🙂 Happy New Year!