This is my go-to recipe for an easy one pot hot chocolate! All you need is a little water, milk, sugar, cocoa powder, a splash of vanilla and your one pot of choice. Make this recipe on the stove, in an Instant Pot or in a slow cooker.
In the cold winter months, I relish making this easy one pot hot chocolate on the stove. I often have hot chocolate warm and ready to be poured into a mug when my daughter arrives home from school. In minutes a few pantry ingredients become a warm cup of comfort. Top your hot chocolate with mini marshmallows, whipped cream or try my recipe for homemade Maple Marshmallows! For a richer, more decadent version of hot chocolate, try this Two Ingredient Hot Chocolate instead.
HOW TO MAKE THIS EASY ONE POT HOT CHOCOLATE
- In a saucepan, a little hot water, sugar and cocoa powder are whisked together. If using an Instant Pot, you will use the SAUTE function for this step.
- Next, milk is added and whisked to combine. If making the hot chocolate on the stove, you can simply heat the mixture through on medium low. Off the heat, add the vanilla extract and serve with marshmallows or whipped cream.
- If using an Instant Pot, keep the SAUTE function selected until the mixture heats through. Be sure to stir the bottom to make sure the milk doesn’t scald. Once the hot chocolate is warm enough, hit CANCEL and then KEEP WARM.
- If using a slow cooker, keep the HIGH option selected until the mixture heats through. Be sure to stir the bottom to make sure the milk doesn’t scald. Once the hot chocolate is warm enough, the slow cooker can be set to LOW, covered and kept warm.
ADDITIONAL NOTES
- Yield: This recipe yields a little over four cups of hot chocolate (four small or two large servings). I recommend doubling this recipe if you are going to use an Instant Pot or slow cooker. Otherwise it’s best to make this recipe on the stove.
- Storage: Leftover hot chocolate should be stored in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Separation will occur and the hot chocolate will need to be stirred well when reheated.
- Milk: I prefer to use whole milk, but a milk alternative can be used. Use a milk that you enjoy the taste of. If you want a richer hot chocolate that uses real chocolate, try my Two Ingredient Hot Chocolate recipe!
- To serve: A simple mug will do, but if you want to go all out, try a hot cocoa bar! Offer a variety of different toppings and mugs. Make some homemade marshmallows like my recipe for Maple Marshmallows! Keep the hot chocolate warm in your Instant Pot or slow cooker during the party.
Easy One Pot Hot Chocolate
A recipe for hot chocolate made from scratch on the stovetop, in a slow cooker or an Instant Pot!
Equipment
- 1 medium saucepan optional
- 1 Instant pot optional
- 1 slow cooker optional
- 1 whisk
- 1 heat proof spatula
- 1 set measuring cups
- 1 large 4-cup measuring cup
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup (67 grams) granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup (28 grams) cocoa powder
- 1/3 cups hot water
- 4 cups whole milk or non-dairy milk alternative
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
To make hot chocolate on the stove
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar and cocoa powder. Pour the hot water over top and whisk to combine.
- Pour in the milk and whisk or stir to combine. Slowly heat the hot chocolate mixture over medium low heat until just below boiling. Off the heat at the vanilla extract and stir. Serve hot with marshmallows or whipped cream.
To make hot chocolate in an Instant Pot
- On an Instant Pot, hit the SAUTE function and add the sugar, cocoa powder and hot water to the pot. Whisk to combine.
- Add the milk and stir until the mixture is cohesive. Stir occasionally while the mixture is heating until the hot chocolate is warmed through.
- Hit CANCEL to turn off the heat and then KEEP WARM. This function will maintain the hot chocolate's temperature. Serve hot with marshmallows or whipped cream.
To make hot chocolate in a slow cooker
- In the bowl of a slow cooker, whisk together the sugar and cocoa powder. Pour the hot water over top and whisk to combine.
- Pour in the milk and whisk or stir to combine. Cook on HIGH initially to get the hot chocolate up to temperature, whisking occasionally to ensure nothing is burning on the bottom. Then switch to LOW to maintain the temperature.
To make hot chocolate on the stove and then keep it warm
- Alternatively, you can follow the instructions above to make the hot chocolate on a stovetop and then pour it into an Instant Pot and hit the KEEP WARM function or a slow cooker on LOW. This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
