Cinnamon Hot Chocolate is a cozy and sweet warm winter drink with its creamy blend of cinnamon and chocolate. 

Serve it in a mug topped with whipped cream, star anise and cinnamon sticks. The best part is that it’s ready to enjoy in 10 minutes.

Drinking hot chocolate reminds me so much of childhood. I remember spending the day on the snowmobiles and then heading home to warm up with hot chocolate. Back then it was the powdered kind, but I didn’t mind. This homemade version is even better.

You might also like this Gingerbread Latte or Slow Cooker Chai Latte.

Ingredients

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To make this sweet hot drink, you’ll need the following ingredients.

• Milk: Use it either 2% or whole milk for a creamier beverage.
• Chocolate chips: I prefer to use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can also try milk chocolate or dark chocolate.
• Cocoa powder
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla extract: I prefer real vanilla extract, but artificial will also work. You can make your own homemade vanilla extract if you like!
• Nutmeg

Garnishes

• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon sticks
• Star anise

How to Make

1. In a medium pot, heat the milk and chocolate chips together over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the chocolate has melted, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the cocoa powder, cinnamon, vanilla extract and nutmeg and stir for an additional 3 minutes.
3. Pour into mugs and serve warm with whipped cream, cinnamon sticks, and/or star anise for garnish.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

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• Mugs for hot chocolate
• Saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons

Storage Instructions

You likely won’t have any leftovers (it’s that good!), but if you do, this is what you need to do. 

Let the hot chocolate come to room temperature. Put in a covered container in the fridge for up to three days.

When you are ready to enjoy again, you can heat it up in the microwave (make sure you don’t boil it though) or on the stovetop.

Can I double or triple this recipe

Yes, definitely! If you aren’t making hot chocolate for one, feel free to double it up for more people to enjoy.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a really creamy and decadent hot chocolate, use half and half in place of the milk. 
• To make it dairy free, use almond milk and dairy free chocolate chips.
• To cut some calories, use skim milk. Note that it will not be as creamy and rich.

What is the difference between Hot Cocoa and Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate is way more popular where I live and I hear about people enjoying it more than hot cocoa.

So what is the difference? According to Kitchn, hot cocoa is made with simply milk, sugar and cocoa powder. It’s a lighter drink than hot chocolate.

On the other hand, hot chocolate is richer and thicker made with melted chocolate, hot water/milk/cream and vanilla. It doesn’t have the added sugar like hot cocoa since the chocolate has sugar in it already.

Hot Sweet Beverages to Enjoy

• Butterscotch Steamer
• Pumpkin Spice Latte
• Cinnamon Cappuccino
• Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
• Maple Latte
• Mocha Latte
• Red Velvet Hot Chocolate

You’ll also like Grandma’s Cinnamon Coffee Cake.

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