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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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.
How to Make White Chocolate Hot Cocoa
- Combine the white chocolate, nutmeg, and salt in a bowl.
- 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.
- Pour the heated milk mixture over the white chocolate and let it sit for 1 minute.
- Whisk together the milk and white chocolate until all the chocolate melts and the mixture is smooth. Serve it up!
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.
Popular Substitutions & Additions
- 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.
What to Serve With a Hot White Chocolate
- Add a Topping: Enjoy your mug of white hot chocolate with a dollop of homemade whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg. You can also add pastel marshmallows for a splash of color.
- Christmas Holidays: Enjoy your favorite holiday cookies or desserts like these gingerbread crinkle cookies and red velvet marble cake.
- Winter Brunch: White hot cocoa makes a nice addition to a winter or holiday brunch. Sip on it along with a stack of these gingerbread pancakes or eggnog pancakes.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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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White Hot Chocolate
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 ounces high-quality white chocolate chips Ghirardelli or Guittard are readily available high-quality brands.
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ 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.
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I just made it – it was so creamy and smooth! Delicious!
This creamy, smooth and delicious white chocolate cocoa is calling my name! I can’t wait to enjoy a mugful of this.
This is a perfect drink for a cold winter night! So creamy, rich and sweet – it hits the spot if you are a white chocolate lover!
This looks amazing and such a treat! Thank you!