Stay warm this holiday season with these ultra-cozy hot chocolate recipes. Try our most-loved recipes for Peppermint Mocha, Mexican Hot Chocolate and more.
Our Most Decadent Hot Chocolate Recipes for the Holidays
Updated on Feb. 17, 2024
Homemade Hot Cocoa
This homemade hot chocolate recipe will make people think you fussed, but it is so simple. —Cheryl Reitz, Hershey, Pennsylvania
Oh also, calling all chocoholics! From cakes and brownies to pies and cookies, these top-rated chocolate recipes are sure to satisfy.
1/20
2/20
Hot Chocolate
Total Time
15 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Each winter in early February my friends and I gather for an outdoor show called Mittenfest. We skip the Bloody Marys and fill our thermoses with these hot cocoas instead.
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 653 calories, 49g fat (32g saturated fat), 107mg cholesterol, 79mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (56g sugars, 4g fiber), 9g protein.
3/20
Hot Chocolate Bombs
Total Time
45 hours
Servings
6 chocolate bombs
From the Recipe Creator:
These hot chocolate bombs are all the rage! Make them ahead of time as a holiday gift or to have on hand when you have a hot chocolate craving. — Rashanda Cobbins, Aurora, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 chocolate bomb: 619 calories, 34g fat (20g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 31mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 4g fiber), 10g protein.
4/20
Nutella Hot Chocolate
Total Time
25 min
Servings
22 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Vanilla beans and a hazelnut liqueur like Frangelico lend a sophisticated flavor to this hot chocolate. With such rich taste, it could be served as a dessert. —Michael Compean, Fountain Hills, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 299 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 88mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
5/20
Crackling Hot Cocoa
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This hot chocolate recipe is more than a warm-you-up—it's rich and thick decadence in a mug. —Cyndi Nistico, Palm Island, Florida
6/20
Spiked Hot Chocolate
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I like to enjoy this grown-up version of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening. It's even better made with honey-flavored bourbon if you can find that in your local store. —Andrea Harvath, Duncannon, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without toppings): 376 calories, 18g fat (11g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 106mg sodium, 25g carbohydrate (23g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
7/20
Cozy Hot Chocolate
Total Time
10 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Steaming mugs of these smooth beverages are a nice anytime treat with my husband, Ken.—Marie Hattrup, Sonoma, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 241 calories, 11g fat (7g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 121mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (25g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.
8/20
Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Change up ordinary hot cocoa by stirring some dark baking cocoa into vanilla almond milk. Top it off with a plain large marshmallow or berry marshmallow creme, if you like, and add your favorite pretty sprinkles. —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 155 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 150mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 2g fiber), 2g protein.
9/20
Hot Chocolate with Marshmallows
Total Time
15 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This is our daughter's favorite hot chocolate recipe. It may look like ordinary cocoa, but a touch of vanilla sets it apart from the rest. And the melted marshmallows give it a frothy body you won't get from a cocoa packet. —Jo Ann Schimcek, Weimar, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 249 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 33mg cholesterol, 128mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 0 fiber), 9g protein.
10/20
Holiday Peppermint Mocha
Total Time
10 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Make spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee liqueur instead of peppermint. —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 197 calories, 6g fat (4g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 234mg sodium, 22g carbohydrate (18g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
11/20
Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup with about 1 tablespoon whipped cream and 1/2 teaspoon crushed candy: 519 calories, 32g fat (19g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 153mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (44g sugars, 0 fiber), 11g protein.
12/20
Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Total Time
15 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup with about 1 tablespoon whipped cream and 1/2 teaspoon crushed candy: 519 calories, 32g fat (19g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 153mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (44g sugars, 0 fiber), 11g protein.
13/20
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Total Time
30 min
Servings
14 servings (1 cup each)
From the Recipe Creator:
My mom makes this hot chocolate with pumpkin, spices and white chocolate. We usually drink it on Halloween, but it’s delish at Christmas too. —Sasha King, Westlake Village, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 511 calories, 38g fat (24g saturated fat), 111mg cholesterol, 102mg sodium, 37g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
14/20
Kahlua Hot Chocolate
Total Time
20 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When we want a cup of hot chocolate, we prefer homemade over store mixes. A splash of Kahlúa adds a touch of fabulous. —Chung-Ah Rhee, Hollywood, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without optional toppings): 280 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 116mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 6g fiber), 11g protein.
15/20
Favorite Hot Chocolate
Total Time
15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You need just a few basic ingredients to stir up this spirit-warming sipper. The comforting beverage is smooth and not too sweet, making it just right for a cozy chilly night. —Flo Snodderly, North Vernon, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 177 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 63mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
16/20
Gingerbread Hot Cocoa
Total Time
15 min
Servings
3 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? If not, this special cocoa will do the trick. It’s like drinking a chocolate gingerbread cookie! —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, AZ
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 269 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 24mg cholesterol, 162mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 2g fiber), 9g protein.
17/20
Landmark Hot Chocolate
Total Time
15 min
Servings
1 serving
From the Recipe Creator:
With or without a nip of rum, my hot chocolate recipe has been a Wisconsin winter warmer for years. When the toboggan hills are calling, I skip the whipped cream and take a thermos to go. It’s always a hit and it ensures nobody is left out in the cold! —Mark Phillips, Bayfield, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 680 calories, 51g fat (32g saturated fat), 130mg cholesterol, 64mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (46g sugars, 5g fiber), 6g protein.
18/20
Vanilla Almond Hot Cocoa
Total Time
15 min
Servings
10 servings (2-1/2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Treat your family to this comforting, homemade cocoa as you decorate the tree or open holiday gifts. Vanilla and almond extracts make it taste even more special. —Vicki Holloway, Joelton, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 195 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 151mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
19/20
Mexican Hot Chocolate
Total Time
10 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This delicious, not-too-sweet Mexican hot chocolate is richly flavored with cocoa and delicately seasoned with spices. The whole-stick cinnamon stirrers come in handy, as the old-fashioned chocolate mixture settles if not stirred before drinking. The blend of cinnamon and chocolate flavors is wonderful! —Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 156 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 92mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (15g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.
20/20
Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix
Total Time
10 min
Servings
20 servings (6-2/3 cups hot cocoa mix)
From the Recipe Creator:
I gave this away at our neighborhood Christmas party in cutie-patootie gift bags and was thrilled that I was able to give something to everyone. But the next week I started getting calls from the neighbors who had tried it, and I was blown away at the response. Everyone loves this! The white chocolate makes it extra creamy. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup prepared hot cocoa: 321 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 25mg cholesterol, 264mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 2g fiber), 15g protein.
Next, try out this tasty 3-ingredient whipped hot chocolate.
