It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas 🎄 no, but seriously. Here, temperatures will drop this week and I'm all for hot beverages in these gloomy days.
So, what do you say if we learn how to make homemade hot chocolate? Not a dull hot choc, but a reeeeeallly yummy drink.
Flavors? Spicy orange, pistachio and a classic peppermint.
Straight to the point: how to make homemade hot chocolate
I've learned to make homemade hot choc from my mother, years ago.
I still remember those afternoons, when I was younger, when she used to prepare me and my sister this soothing "snack". It was the best surprise for when we came back from school.
Hers, though, was not like mine.
She used to only add a tiny bit of white all purpose flour, just enough to slightly thicken it.
My version, instead, is much creamier. When my hot chocolate cools down, it almost looks like a 'budino' (budino is Italian pudding).
My inspiration - as mentioned in this post - comes from the store-bought ones. I won't tell the name, but my Italian readers know what I'm talking about.
I loved my mom's hot chocolate, but the store-bought creamy one was like the forbidden fruit. Mom was/is "against" processed snacks, so I ended up drinking that just 4-5 times in my whole life (when I was in college;))
Eventually, I made my own super thick version.
So, now YOU want to know how to make homemade chocolate in 2 steps, am I right? Here's how:
- Combine cocoa and cornstarch
In a small pot, combine these two ingredients (+ sugar, if you want) with just a tiny bit of milk to get a creamy mixture.
- Add milk and bring to a boil
Now add the rest of the milk, whisk, turn on the heat and keep stirring until it comes to a boil. As soon as it starts boiling, it should also start to thicken. Remove from heat and enjoy.
How can I add flavor to hot chocolate?
Ok you know how to make a creamy hot beverage.
Now you're wondering how to spice up your hot choc, am I right?
This is the reason why I decided to write this post, in the first place: to give you a few ideas in case you need them.
To be honest, I'm a big fan of "plain" hot chocolate. But sometimes I also love adding extra flavor;)
These are 20 mix-ins ideas (and below you can find 3 "exclusive" recipes!)
- Peppermint (click here to jump to my recipe)
- Nutella or hazelnut butter
- Almond butter
- Peanut butter
- Pistachio butter (click here to jump to my recipe)
- Coconut butter
- Tahini
- Chocolate chips
- Spices (alone or combined): cinnamon, cardamom, cayenne pepper, pumpkin spice, nutmeg, chili, turmeric...
- Orange (click here to jump to my recipe)
- Salted caramel
- Maple syrup
- Vanilla
- Coffee powder
- Chai
- Ginger
- Jam (slightly heat it up, then add it to the hot choc)
- Lavender
- Honey
- Matcha
...and much more!
Pistachio hot chocolate for the win
Are you a pistachio lover? Then I'm sure you will FALL IN LOVE with this version.
The "secret" is to use a combination of white chocolate and unsweetened 100% pistachio butter (no added ingredients, only pistachios). The result? OMG. Super yummy and creamy and scrumptious and I could keep going with the adjectives forever.
Top with more pistachio butter!
A classic: my peppermint hot chocolate recipe
I'm sure there's a trillion recipes out there, but here's my peppermint hot chocolate recipe. I found a combination of ingredients that I really enjoy: not too intense, not too bland.
If you love classics, try this.
And don't forget to top it with pieces of peppermint candy cane!
Spicy orange hot chocolate? YES please.
Love spiciness? This is for you. My recommendation: use organic orange to make sure the skin is edible, and don't use too many chili peppers otherwise it will be too intense and you won't enjoy your hot beverage.
Sprinkle a good amount of cinnamon, though, that's never enough!
What toppings can you put on hot chocolate?
Now, that is a question! Again, as mentioned above, I love my "plain" hot choc.
My favorite toppings are: a tiny bit of whipped cream, some cocoa powder or pieces of peppermint candy cane.
The ideas I mentioned in the "How can I add flavor to hot chocolate?" paragraph, though, can be used as a topping too. Think peanut butter, jam, spices, maple, caramel...
Have fun trying them!
If you make this recipe, please be sure to give it a rating and leave a comment! It would make me so happy! 🙂
Remember: if you try one of my recipes, tag me on Instagram or DM me the photos!
Don’t forget to pin and share this easy and delicious recipe!
HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE 3 WAYS
Ingredients
To prepare the spicy orange hot chocolate:
- 300 gr Milk or plant milk
- 30 gr Unsweetened cocoa powder
- half a tablespoon Cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon (or more if you have a sweet tooth) Brown sugar
- half a teaspoon Cinnamon powder
- one small Dry chili pepper
- zest from 1 Organic orange
To prepare the pistachio hot chocolate:
- 300 gr Milk or plant milk
- 30 gr White chocolate
- half a tablespoon Cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon or more 100% Pistachio butter
To prepare the peppermint hot chocolate:
- 300 gr Milk or plant milk
- 30 gr Unsweetened cocoa powder
- half a tablespoon Cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon (or more if you have a sweet tooth) Brown sugar
- a few drops of Peppermint extract - (taste it and add more if needed)
Instructions
To prepare the spicy orange hot chocolate:
- Add all ingredients except the milk to a pot.
- Add a drop of milk and mix until you get a creamy consistency.
- Add the remaining milk and bring to a boil. Cook for about 2 minutes then turn off the heat. Your choc is ready!
To prepare the pistachio hot chocolate:
- Add cornstarch and a drop of milk to a pot then whisk until you get a creamy consistency.
- Add the remaining milk, pistachio butter, white chocolate (chopped) and bring to a boil.
- Cook for about 2 minutes then turn off the heat. Pistachio choc is ready!
To prepare the peppermint hot chocolate:
- Follow same instructions of the spicy orange hot choc. Gradually add peppermint extract and adjust it.
Liked this recipe?
Try this thick gluten free hot chocolate!
© Healthy Little Cravings – Roberta Dall’Alba.
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