White Chocolate Hot Cocoa

This White Hot Chocolate has a buttery sweetness and creamy flavor that is perfect for the holidays or anytime you're feeling the need for a bit of indulgence.
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This White Hot Chocolate has a buttery sweetness and creamy flavor that is perfect for the holidays or any time you’re feeling the need for a bit of indulgence. It’s made with simple ingredients and takes just minutes to make. Y’all are going to love sipping on a mug of this hot cocoa with white chocolate and warming up from the inside out!

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A clear mug filled with white chocolate hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and nutmeg.

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Sitting on my couch near a warm fireplace is one of my favorite things to do when the temperature drops. It is so cozy and comforting, especially with a mug of this white hot chocolate! Its rich flavors, heated to perfection, make me feel even more relaxed and comforted.

I started veering away from classic hot cocoa a few years ago when I discovered how refreshing white chocolate could be as an alternative.  Don’t get me wrong, I adore traditional hot chocolate, but I really thought this flavor was a nice, delicious change.  

The Heart & Soul Of This White Hot Chocolate Recipe

Cuisine Inspiration: Classic American
Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop
Dietary Info: Vegetarian
Key Flavor: Creamy, rich, sweet, and buttery with the ultimate velvety texture.
Skill Level: Easy Peasy!

Sweet Spots

  • Creamy and Delicious: White chocolate melts and mingles with milk for a truly amazing drink to keep you warm.
  • Hot Chocolate Change Up: Whether you’re simply looking for an alternative to dark hot chocolate or you prefer the flavors of white chocolate, a cup of this white hot chocolate is always enjoyable.
  • Perfectly Warming: A hot yet sweet way to warm up when there’s a chill in the air.
  • Great for Holidays: Brimming with decadence a cup of hot white chocolate is the perfect indulgence for Christmas or Valentine’s Day.
  • Simple Ingredients: All you need are four simple ingredients to make this hot creamy beverage.

Ingredients to Make White Hot Chocolate

  • White Chocolate: Use a high-quality brand of white chocolate. Chopped up it will melt into dreamy goodness and provide the best flavor. Ghirardelli or Guittard are high-quality brands that are pretty easy to find.
  • Milk and Half and Half: Using a higher amount of half and half mixed with milk gives it a creamier and richer essence. You can easily adjust the ratio for more milk to change the thickness and make it your way.
  • Grated Nutmeg: Adds hints of warmth and comfort that are nutty, earthy, and slightly sweet.
  • Kosher Salt: Brings all the flavors together perfectly.
Ingredients to make white hot chocolate on the table before making.

How to Make White Chocolate Hot Cocoa

  1. Combine the white chocolate, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
  2. Heat up the half and half and milk in a saucepan over medium-high heat until hot but not boiling. This will take about 4-5 minutes. 
  3. Pour the heated milk mixture over the white chocolate and let it sit for 1 minute.
  4. Whisk together the milk and white chocolate until all the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Serve it up!
A collage showing the steps in making white hot chocolate on the table.

Tips for Making the Best White Chocolate Hot Cocoa

  • Carefully Heat the Milk. You don’t want to walk away and forget about your milk while it’s heating. Not only can the milk scald on the bottom if it boils, but it may also make a dreadful mess on the stove by boiling over.
  • Use a Good Brand of White Chocolate. The flavor of your white chocolate hot chocolate depends solely on the flavor of your chocolate.
  • Adjust the Thickness. This recipe uses a two-to-one ratio (2:1) of half and half to milk for a rich and creamy texture. If you want it a bit thinner you can reduce the amount of half and half and use a bit more milk.
  • Don’t Skip the Salt. The sweet flavors are enhanced with a touch of salt added.
  • Dairy-Free: If you’re looking for a dairy-free white hot cocoa you will need to use a dairy-free white chocolate, canned coconut milk in place of the half and half, and your favorite non-dairy milk to replace the cow’s milk.
  • Peppermint: You can add peppermint extract instead of the nutmeg for a peppermint white chocolate hot chocolate. I love to garnish it with some crushed peppermint candies on top.
  • Heavy Cream: If you happen to have heavy cream instead of half and half, reduce the amount of heavy cream to one cup and the milk to two cups for a similar texture as when using the half and half.
  • Vanilla: For more warmth, add a half teaspoon of pure vanilla extract to the hot chocolate mixture.
  • Eggnog: Replace the half and half with eggnog during the holidays for a Christmas treat.
  • Spices: Feel free to add more nutmeg or experiment with other warming spices such as cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and spice blends like pumpkin spice or gingerbread spices.
A mug of white hot chocolate on the table with a jar of milk in the background.

What to Serve With a Hot White Chocolate

How to Store & Reheat White Hot Chocolate

After you’ve filled all the mugs, allow the remaining hot white chocolate to cool down completely. Store it in the fridge in a sealed container. When you’re ready for another cozy cup, simply reheat it gently on the stove, stirring occasionally to maintain that smooth, creamy texture.

How long will white hot chocolate last in the fridge?

For maximum flavor, it’s best to enjoy it within three to four days.

Can I freeze white hot cocoa?

No, it’s not recommended. The dairy will change consistency when it’s thawed and may be grainy or clumpy.

A mug of white hot chocolate topped with whipped cream surrounded by another mug and a bowl of white chocolate chips.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep the white chocolate smooth when making white hot chocolate?

The trick is to heat up the milk on its own and then pour it over the chocolate. The heat of the milk will be enough to soften and melt the white chocolate. Since you don’t heat the chocolate on the stove you don’t have to worry about it burning or over-cooking.

Can I change the flavor of my white hot cocoa?

Yes, you definitely can very easily. You can swap the nutmeg for other spices or add some extracts such as peppermint, vanilla, coconut, or almond for different flavors. Just be careful when adding extracts as some may be quite strong (peppermint and almond) and a little goes a long way.

A mug of white hot cocoa topped with whipped cream and some nutmeg on the table.

If you’re looking to change up your hot chocolate for something a bit out of the ordinary, this white hot chocolate is a game changer. It’s full of a rich creaminess and butteriness you can’t get in regular hot chocolate. Keep it simple with a dusting of nutmeg for flavor for the classic experience or experiment with other flavor combinations. You can’t go wrong no matter how you decide to enjoy it!

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Mugs of white hot chocolate on the table in clear mugs with whipped cream on top.

White Hot Chocolate

This White Hot Chocolate has a buttery sweetness and creamy flavor that is perfect for the holidays or anytime you're feeling the need for a bit of indulgence.
5 from 5 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Course: Drink
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces high-quality white chocolate chips Ghirardelli or Guittard are readily available high-quality brands.
  • โ…› teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • ยผ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups half and half
  • 1 cup milk

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, add white chocolate, nutmeg, and salt.
  • In small saucepan, heat half and half and milk over medium-high heat until hot, but not boiling, about 4-5 minutes.
  • Pour mixture over white chocolate and let sit for 1 minute. Whisk together until all white chocolate has melted and mixture is smooth.
  • Pour into four mugs and garnish with whipped cream or marshmallows and serve immediately.

Notes

  • Carefully Heat the Milk. You don’t want to walk away and forget about your milk while it’s heating. Not only can the milk scald on the bottom if it boils but it may also make a dreadful mess on the stove by boiling over.
  • Use a Good Brand of White Chocolate. The flavor of your white chocolate hot chocolate depends solely on the flavor of your chocolate.
  • Adjust the Thickness. This recipe uses a two to one ratio (2:1) of half and half to milk for a rich and creamy texture. If you want it a bit thinner you can reduce the amount of half and half and use a bit more milk.
  • Don’t Skip the Salt. The sweet flavors are enhanced with a touch of salt added.

Nutrition

Calories: 501kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 293mg | Potassium: 414mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 544IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 318mg | Iron: 0.2mg
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Filed Under:  Christmas, Drinks, Winter Recipes

Comments

  1. This is beautiful Jocelyn! I love that you used white chocolate… and that peppermint is calling my name!

  2. Love this! It doesn’t get nearly as cold here as it does in Chicago but hey, I can’t let that stop me from hot chocolate drinking.

  3. Drinking a big cup of these near a fire sounds like a fantastic way to spend and evening!

  4. OMG!!!!! This is the combination of two of my MOST favorite Christmas treats!!!!!!! Sooooo going to make this! Pinning! <3

  5. OH. MY. GOSH. I never thought to make hot cocoa with eggnog. You are a genius!!! SO making this tomorrow. Or now. For dinner!

5 from 5 votes (1 rating without comment)

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