If you’re feeling really decadent and fancy (as you should), add a splash of half-and-half or heavy cream just before serving. This is part of BA's Best, a collection of our essential recipes.
Ingredients
4 Servings
3
3
6
3
Preparation
Step 1
Bring ¾ cup water to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in 3 Tbsp. cocoa powder until no lumps remain, then add milk and return to a simmer. Whisk in chocolate and sugar and cook, whisking frequently, until mixture is smooth and creamy and chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes.
Step 2
Divide hot chocolate among mugs. Top with whipped cream and dust with cocoa powder.
Leave a Review
Reviews (68)
Back to TopMy favourite hot chocolate recipe. I generally use 62-70% chocolate, because that’s what I have on hand, and then adjust sugar to taste. Sometimes I do also add a drop of vanilla. The flavour is beautifully intense and brings back memories of the incredible hot chocolate I drank in Italy
Jane
Hamden
6/2/2023
A solid base recipe, but my suggestions for perfection: 1) Swap milk for 3/4 c water used to melt the chocolate. You'll get a creamier more flavourful outcome. 2) Unless you have a MAJOR sweet tooth, reduce the sugar by at least a third. Semi-sweet chocolate contains sugar, and 3 tbsp of added sugar makes it cloying. 3) Add a couple drops of vanilla extract (or maybe peppermint) for a little extra flavour.
Anonymous
10/26/2022
Good but … basic rule, never use plain water when you could use a liquid that can add flavor. Fresh brewed coffee, in this case. Or if you’re not into mocha, could just use more milk.
Anonymous
10/24/2021
I loved it! It was a bit bitter because i thought that cocoa powder would have enough but after I added sugar it was amazing! I give it an 8/10!
Anonymous
Abu Dhabi, UAE
10/10/2021
Sooo good! (I used 1% partly skimmed lactose-free milk for anyone worried about that, its still good) Also, I was using heat at about 5 and a half. It's a little bitter(especially when you get to the bottom) but tastes very rich. Next time I'll make sure to have whipping cream to make some, or just use whipped cream. I'd give it a nine outta ten, just cuz mine got bitter at the bottom, but it's super quick to make and definitely worth trying. Just make sure you have whipped cream lol.
Anonymous
4/29/2021
My tongue just got hugged by chocolate. I'm loving it.
Hilary N
Kansas City Missouri
1/10/2021
dessert in liquid form .... i used bittersweet plus 5 tablespoons of gran sug. did not add 3 T of dem sug. added 1 c of heavy cream and 1/2 t sea salt. and 1t cinnamon.... lovely
bingy
venice, ca
12/29/2020
I love this recipe! I make it almost weekly in the winter. It works well with oat milk too (but then I cut the sugar a bit because oat milk is sweetened). I use high quality chocolate chips instead of chopping up a bar, to streamline the process.
Lindsay
Boulder, CO
12/16/2020
Very Good!!!!
Bobby Flay
your min
12/13/2020
It is super rich! It is a little bitter but the sweetness definitely covers that, I would definitely make it again
Molly
12/2/2020
My family says this is the best hot chocolate they have ever had. Easy to make.
Sandy
Castro Valley
11/20/2020
Made with Lindt 70% Dark and Gold top whole milk, go easy on the Demerara. 3 Tbsp Cocoa to 150ml water (reduced water) One bar Lindt to 600ml milk roughly for two large mugs. Doesnt need chopped choc, just break it up well inside foil. Allow a medium heat to gradually bubble and rise the milk before attacking with a whisk and killing the heat with a good hearty glug of double cream. One tsp plain white sugar added to whipping cream mixes up nicely
Onomatotato
Shalford
12/6/2019
This is, without a shadow of a doubt, the BEST hot chocolate I’ve EVER had. I didn’t have whole milk so I subbed half 2% milk (yeah, Canadian here) and half half-and-half cream. I also subbed semi-sweet chocolate chips for the chopped chocolate (because that’s what I had). 12/10 would make a million times again!
maniczebra
Canada
11/17/2019
I absolutely LOVED this recipe, and so did my family! It was deliciously creamy, and had the perfect chocolate taste without being cloyingly sweet. I definitely won't be going back to instant cocoa mix after having this taste of Heaven!
Alicia_Tanga
Sacramento, California
10/7/2019
I just made this and I made a few changes because I didn't have any chocolate pieces. I feel like the recipe that I made up was very good I love lots of flavor in the hot coco. Here is the recipe that I made form this recipe: Ingredients: 1. 3/4 cup water 2. 4 Tbsp any type cocoa powder 3. 6 Tbsp any type of granulated sugar 4. 3 cups of milk (preferably 2%) 5. 3 Tbsp of confection/powered sugar How to make it: Pour your 3/4 cup water into a medium sauce pan and bring it to a simmer. Pour the cocoa powder into the water string it until all lumps are gone. Pour in the milk, mix it together. Then add your granulated sugar. After that add your confection/powdered sugar. Stir until all lumps are gone. Pour it into cups then add any topping or decorations that you want.
Lexi Ling
USA
12/29/2018