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!

Love a toasty beverage? Be sure to also try our Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix or Slow Cooker Homemade Apple Cider!

marshmallow topped white hot chocolate in glass cups


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.

Okay, 4 ingredients really, if you count a pinch of salt.

Creamy mug of homemade white hot chocolate with foamy bubbles on top.

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).

Overhead picture of two mugs of decadent white hot chocolate with marshmallows on top and peppermint sticks for stirring.

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.

two glasses of hot white chocolate drink next to marshmallows and candy canes

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 ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract makes a big flavor impact.

Glass mugs with peppermint white hot chocolate, topped with marshmallows and crushed candy cane sprinkles.

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.

peppermint candies mini marshmallows and hot white chocolate in cups

Either way, give this recipe a try and enjoy some white hot chocolate tonight! Maybe make some old-fashioned sour cream donuts to go with it!

two glass mugs filled with white hot chocolate and scattered marshmallows and peppermint to the sides

More Delicious & Festive Drinks Recipes

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White Hot Chocolate

5 from 11 votes
Amy Nash
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings
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!

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup chopped white chocolate or white chocolate chips 8 ounces
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Pinch of salt
  • ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract optional

Instructions
 

  • In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, white chocolate, vanilla and salt over medium-low heat.  
  • 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.
  • 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

Calories: 395kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 453mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 39g | Vitamin A: 409IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 365mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe? Show me on Instagram!Mention @HouseOfNashEats or tag #houseofnasheats!

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

stacked peppermint macarons with the top one missing a bite and a plate with more macarons in back and peppermint candies off to the side

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About the author

Hi, I'm Amy

I enjoy exploring the world through food, culture, and travel and sharing the adventure with mostly from-scratch, family friendly recipes that I think of as modern comfort cooking.

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Reader questions and reviews

  1. I love the peppermint version but what really caught my eye were your festive macaroons! Those are gorgeous and I'm sure they pair nicely as a decadent dessert with the white hot chocolate.

  2. 5 stars
    This is just perfection I wish I had a mug tight now to taste =) yoru photography si amazing too, Love all yoru recipes great ideas always. Congrats on another fabulous recipe.