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–+ servings
5 from 1 vote

Vanilla Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

Yield: 4 mugs
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Stay warm this winter with homemade cinnamon hot chocolate! With vanilla, semisweet chocolate, and toasty cinnamon, this cocoa is rich, creamy, chocolatey, and beyond delicious. This is one of my favorite recipes for holiday parties, winter brunches, and snowy adventures!
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Ingredients

  • 4 cups whole milk (960 milliliters)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (28 grams)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 grams)
  • 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (113 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of Kosher salt
  • Marshmallows or whipped cream, for serving

Equipment

Instructions 

  • Combine the milk, cocoa powder, and sugar in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, whisking until the sugar is dissolved and the cocoa powder is thoroughly combined.
  • Heat the milk mixture until it's hot and there are just a couple of small bubbles on the surface (don't let it come to a simmer). Remove the pan from the heat and add the chopped chocolate. Let it sit for about 2 minutes.
  • Whisk the chocolate into the milk until it's smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until the hot chocolate is thoroughly combined.
  • Ladle the hot chocolate into 4 mugs. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream and enjoy!

Notes

Splurge on high-quality semisweet chocolate. Since it's the main flavor in this recipe, you want it to be good!
If you use non-dairy milk, make sure it's unsweetened. Otherwise, it might end up being too sweet with the addition of sugar and chocolate.
Use a rubber whisk to mix everything together. Metal whisks can damage the surface of your saucepan.
Heat the milk low-and-slow. Otherwise, the chocolate can seize and end up grainy instead of smooth.
For 1 serving, use:
  • 1 cup whole milk (240 milliliters)
  • 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder (7 grams)
  • 1 Tablespoon sugar (13 grams)
  • 1 ounce semisweet chocolate (28 grams)
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Small pinch of salt
Cuisine: American
Course: Drinks
Author: Sara Lynn Hunt Broka
Serving: 1cup, Calories: 346kcal, Carbohydrates: 44.9g, Protein: 10.1g, Fat: 17.2g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Cholesterol: 24mg, Sodium: 141mg, Potassium: 538mg, Fiber: 3.8g, Sugar: 41g, Calcium: 298mg, Iron: 2mg
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