Say hello to the sweetest, creamiest way to warm up this winter!  A delicious mug of Homemade White Hot Chocolate is a tasty treat and perfect for sipping when temperatures drop and the weather outside is frightful!

Last December I shared a recipe for European-Style Hot Chocolate, which is absolutely amazing and delicious in its own right.  But this year I wanted something a little bit different while still being every bit as warm and rich and satisfying.

This homemade white hot chocolate definitely fits the bill!  Plus, it’s ridiculously easy to make with only 3 ingredients – milk, chopped white chocolate, and vanilla.  And okay, 4 ingredients really, if you count a pinch of salt.

I’m not much of a hot chocolate for breakfast kind of person, but if that’s your jam, then go for it!  I think this white hot chocolate is perfect with a toffee oatmeal chocolate chip cookie.  It’s also a delicious alternative for anyone who still has their doubts about homemade eggnog (but really people, if you haven’t made eggnog from scratch yet you need to get on that because it will change your life).

Totally not food related, but is anyone else out there in love with the new Christmas album from Sia?  I’m obsessing over her songs “Underneath the Christmas Lights” (so hauntingly beautiful) and “Snowman” (can’t stop/won’t stop listening to it).  And “Santa’s Coming for Us” has made it’s way onto my running playlist because it’s just so catchy and upbeat!

I had the entire album playing on repeat while I made and photographed this batch of white hot chocolate while both girls were at school the other day and it was the most relaxing morning I’ve enjoyed in ages.  I just reheated the leftover for the girls when they got home and they were both in heaven.

How to Make Homemade White Hot Chocolate

It literally takes all of 5-10 minutes to stir up a batch of homemade white hot chocolate.  A single batch is perfect for 4 good-size mugs, but it’s easy to do just a half batch for two or double, triple, or quadruple batches for a crowd!

All you have to do is just heat some milk, white chocolate and vanilla extract in a medium saucepan over low-heat, whisking occasionally to help the white chocolate melt and combine with the milk.  Whole milk is my favorite when it comes to a cup of hot chocolate, but you can really get away with whatever you like from 2% or even skim to half-and-half or a combination of milk and cream for an even more decadent treat.

Since the ingredient list is so short and since real white chocolate has a unique flavor, I think it’s important to use good quality white chocolate here, not just candy melts, so a true white chocolate flavor can come through.  Ghirardelli and Guittard both make very good white chocolate chips, or you could chop up a Lindt chocolate bar or Lindor white chocolate truffles.

Peppermint White Hot Chocolate Variation

I have made this recipe as both plain white hot chocolate and peppermint white hot chocolate and honestly, I can’t decide which I like best!  That tiny addition of a mere 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract makes a big flavor impact.

Honestly, it’s almost impossible to resist a mug of white hot chocolate garnished with a peppermint stick or marshmallows and crushed candy cane sprinkled on top!

You could also top this off with whipped cream and white chocolate shavings or white chocolate chips, or use festive red, green or white sprinkles if you opt not to go the peppermint route.

Either way, give this recipe a try and enjoy some white hot chocolate tonight!

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Yield: 4 people

White Hot Chocolate

Say hello to the sweetest, creamiest way to warm up this winter!  A delicious mug of Homemade White Hot Chocolate is a tasty treat and perfect for sipping when temperatures drop and the weather outside is frightful!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes

Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 cups whole milk
• 1 cup (8 ounces) chopped white chocolate or white chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, white chocolate, vanilla and salt over medium-low heat.  
2. Heat, whisking frequently, until the chocolate is completely melted, but do not let the mixture come to a boil.  Remove from heat and stir in peppermint extract, if using.
3. Pour into mugs and serve with marshmallows, whipped cream, white chocolate shavings, crushed candy canes or sprinkles.

Notes

Recipe adapted slightly from The Recipe Critic.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 470 Saturated Fat: 16g Cholesterol: 36mg Sodium: 158mg Carbohydrates: 46g Sugar: 47g Protein: 11g

Love peppermint?  Be sure to try some of my other favorite peppermint recipes like these Peppermint Macarons!