Hot Chocolate for Two Recipe - Little Spice Jar (2024)

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My hot chocolate for two recipe is one that we make all the time! It has just five simple ingredients and makes the perfect amount for two! You’re going to love it!

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And we’re back!

How were the holidays for you? Did you have a nice New Year’s Eve? We grabbed pizza with some friends and had initially planned to watch fireworks in the town center, but when we saw the crowd, everyone unanimously agreed to we detour back to our place. We enjoyed warm drinks and my favorite Costco cake that I almost always have tucked away in the freezer – this is NYE in your 30s, and I am completely okay with this.

We’ve had the gloomiest first couple days of 2019, and for me, that makes hot chocolate, warm blankets, and Netflix. So today, I’m sharing a small batch of hot chocolate. Itmakes the perfect amount for two people, and it is so deliciously chocolatey.

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I shared a slow cooker hot chocolate bar idea with you in the past, and so many of you have made it and loved it. With the new Pinterest feature where you can attach an image, it’s so refreshing to see how you’ve taken the basic idea and made it your own. This got me thinking, why are we only making hot chocolate for a group, why not share my small batch hot chocolate recipe with you too?

I’ve been making my stove top hot chocolate for some years now. I’m the kind of person that always goes on the hunt for something sweet right after dinner (and hubby is the same too.) So in the winter time, we always have dinner, hubby cleans up while I throw together a batch of my hot chocolate for two.

It takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish, and it’s our favorite hot chocolate recipe!

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Ingredients to make hot chocolate for two:

  • cocoa powder
  • milk or half and half
  • chocolate
  • sugar
  • salt
  • vanilla extract

Will chocolate chips work?

Yes, I’ve tested the recipe with both semi-sweet chocolate chips and chopped chocolate, both work equally well here.

What kind of chocolate do you need?

I like to use semi-sweet chocolate for my hot chocolate recipe. However, you can also use bittersweet or milk chocolate. Bittersweet chocolate will yield a less sweet hot chocolate, but you can add more sugar to taste if you’d like. Milk chocolate will make this hot chocolate super sweet, so if that’s you’re thing, you will be fine! If you decide to use milk chocolate I do advise that you taste it first before adding in any sugar; chances are you won’t need it.

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Tools needed to make hot chocolate:

How to make hot chocolate for two:

  1. Whisk the cocoa powder and water together in a saucepan.
  2. pour in the milk and let it heat up until it starts steaming
  3. add the chocolate and allow it to sit for 30 seconds before whisking
  4. taste and add sugar
  5. heat to the desired temperature; turn off the heat add salt and vanilla
  6. serve

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Ways to customize homemade hot chocolate:

  • peppermint hot chocolate: add a 1/2 teaspoon (or more) of peppermint extract
  • mocha hot chocolate: add 1/2 – 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder while the milk is steaming
  • truffle hot chocolate: replace the chocolate chips with 4-8 chocolate truffles!
  • malted hot chocolate:add in a handful of malt chocolate candy!
  • salted caramel hot chocolate: replace the sugar with homemade salted caramel

Best hot chocolate toppings:

  • marshmallows
  • whipped cream
    • try different flavors like vanilla or raspberry!
  • chocolate syrup

Can you double this recipe?

YES! Absolutely! This is our go-to recipe that I’ve been making for years, and it works great if you want to make hot chocolate for two, four, or even six!

I hope you’ll give my stove top hot chocolate recipe a try and I hope it keeps you warm and cozy all winter long!

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Yield: 2 servings

Hot Chocolate For Two

Prep Time2 minutes

Cook Time5 minutes

Total Time7 minutes

My hot chocolate for two recipe is one that we make all the time! It has just 5 simple ingredients and makes the perfect amount for two! You’re going to love it!

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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder + 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk or half and half
  • 1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) semi sweet chocolate (chopped or chips)
  • 1-3 tablespoons sugar (more or less to taste)
  • 1/8- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. SIMMER: combine the cocoa powder and water in a saucepan and whisk. Pour in the milk and heat it over medium-high heat until the milk starts to steam but doesn’t reach a boil.
  2. FINISH: Lower the heat too low, and add the chocolate. Let sit for 30 seconds, then use a whisk to combine. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar, taste and adjust with additional sugar as desired. Add 1/8 teaspoon salt, taste and adjust with additional salt as desired, we usually go with 1/4 teaspoon as we prefer a less sweet hot chocolate. Continue to heat on low if it needs to be hotter but make sure that it doesn’t boil! Turn off the heat, stir in the vanilla and pour hot chocolate into mugs. Top with whipped cream, marshmallows, or cocoa powder or chocolate syrup if desired!

Have you made this recipe?

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and a comment below. You can also share a picture on Instagram with the hashtag #LITTLESPICEJAR, I'd love to see what you made!

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Hot Chocolate for Two Recipe - Little Spice Jar (2024)

FAQs

Can I use hot chocolate mix instead of cocoa powder? ›

In short, you can use hot chocolate powder as a cocoa powder substitute in a pinch, but you may not experience the depth of flavour you want. Because most brands of hot chocolate powder include sugar or sweetener, you may wish to reduce the amount of sugar you add to your baking recipe.

What can I add to hot chocolate to make it better? ›

Flavored spreads add a ton of flavor without adding extra effort. Another no-fuss way to add flavor to your hot cocoa is by melting in a spoonful of your favorite flavored spread. Peanut butter, cookie butter, and Nutella are all good to add-in since their flavors pair well with chocolate.

What's the difference between cocoa powder and hot chocolate? ›

Cocoa Powder: Hot chocolate starts with cocoa powder, which provides a chocolatey flavour. However, hot chocolate mix is distinct from plain cocoa powder, as it often contains added sugar, powdered milk, and sometimes additional flavourings like vanilla or spices.

How do you upgrade instant hot chocolate? ›

Other Ways to Upgrade Your Hot Chocolate:
  1. caramel.
  2. a scoop of ice cream.
  3. cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla extract.
  4. orange zest.
  5. a tablespoon of fresh-brewed espresso or coffee.
  6. peppermint stick.
  7. dark, milk, or white chocolate shavings.
  8. coconut or almond milk (use in place of regular milk)
Dec 1, 2015

What can I use instead of marshmallow in homemade? ›

Whipped Cream: In some recipes or applications, whipped cream can be a suitable substitute for marshmallows. It adds a light and fluffy texture. Meringue: Whipped egg whites with sugar can provide a similar texture to marshmallows. They can be baked or torched for a crispy exterior.

What is a substitute for cocoa powder? ›

Carob powder is a sweeter, caffeine-free option that can be used directly instead of cocoa, though you may need to adjust the sweetness elsewhere in your recipe. Unsweetened chocolate or chocolate chips can also be melted down as a substitute, requiring you to account for the additional fat and sugar they introduce.

What is the best cocoa powder for hot chocolate? ›

Unsweetened cocoa powder: a high-quality cocoa powder or cacao powder is essential. I highly recommend using Ghirardelli's 100% cocoa. I think it has the best flavor for hot chocolate (and trust me, I've tried quite a few!)

Can you use cocoa powder in place of cocoa powder? ›

Yes, you can substitute baking cocoa for cocoa powder in most recipes. However, keep in mind that baking cocoa is typically unsweetened, while cocoa powder may be sweetened or unsweetened.

Why do people put marshmallow in hot chocolate? ›

Loss says kitchen air produces an “evaporative cooling” effect as water is freed from the drink's surface and into the atmosphere. Since they're filled with air, the marshmallows could insulate the hot chocolate by slowing down this cooling.

What is the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate? ›

Marshmallows: The Unsung Hero

Believe it or not, the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate is none other than marshmallows. These fluffy, sweet confections are the unsung heroes of the hot chocolate world, adding a delightful creaminess and hint of sweetness that takes the drink to a whole new level.

What thickens hot chocolate? ›

Cornflour/Cornstarch: Mix a small amount with cold milk or water to create a smooth paste. Whisk this into your hot chocolate towards the end of the cooking process until it thickens. Double Cream: Stirring in a splash of double cream can instantly enrich and thicken your drink, giving it a velvety texture.

Is hot chocolate better with milk or water? ›

Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.

Can I use Swiss Miss as cocoa powder? ›

Yes, if you're baking a cake or cookies, or making icing, you can use hot chocolate powder in place of cocoa if you're out of cocoa powder. Cocoa powder will give your recipe a much more "chocolaty" flavor.

What kind of milk do you use for hot chocolate? ›

The best type of milk for making hot chocolate is whole milk. This is because the higher fat content in whole milk creates a creamier and richer hot chocolate. However, if you are looking for a healthier option, almond milk or oat milk can also work well as they add a subtle nutty or oaty flavor to the hot chocolate.

Why do you put marshmallows in hot chocolate? ›

This combination creates a delightful mouthfeel, adding a layer of creaminess and a bit of chewiness to each sip. 2. Sweetness: Hot chocolate can be sweet, but the addition of marshmallows enhances the overall sweetness.

Does the use of marshmallows in hot chocolate keep it warmer? ›

Loss says kitchen air produces an “evaporative cooling” effect as water is freed from the drink's surface and into the atmosphere. Since they're filled with air, the marshmallows could insulate the hot chocolate by slowing down this cooling.

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