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Is there anything more enjoyable than a warm cup of homemade hot chocolate on a cold winter night? Instant Pot Hot Chocolate is simple to make and so delicious. This rich, homemade hot chocolate is an easy spin on classic hot cocoa, without the need of a packet or mix.
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This homemade Instant Pot hot chocolate recipe is made with a combination of chocolate, cocoa powder, milk, sugar and some spices. The cocoa powder adds that hot cocoa flavor and the melted chocolate makes this drink extra creamy and rich. Add your favorite toppings!
This recipe is rich, creamy, and wonderful!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s creamy, chocolatey, and everything hot chocolate should be.
- Perfect for holidays and family gatherings!
- The Instant Pot keeps the hot chocolate warm until ready to serve.
- The perfect drink to enjoy when the weather is chilly!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Dark Chocolate Bar: Use good quality chocolate that is dark or bittersweet.
- Whole Milk: lends to the creaminess and sweetness of hot chocolate.
- Cocoa Powder: The cacao powder (or cocoa powder), plus the chocolate makes this recipe so chocolatey.
- Water: Mixes with the cocoa powder to make a paste.
- Granulated Sugar: Used to sweeten the hot chocolate. The amount of sweetener needed in the recipe depends entirely upon the sweetness level of your chocolate.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds great spice to the hot chocolate.
- Ground Nutmeg: More great spice.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1:
Press the slow cook button on the Instant Pot. Set time to 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Step 2:
Chop the chocolate bar and place into the Instant Pot. Once it starts to melt, stir fast and pour in the milk. It will clump up, but don’t worry, as the Instant Pot heats up this will melt and leave specks of chocolate throughout your hot chocolate.
Step 3:
Mix together the cocoa powder with the water until it becomes a liquid paste. The consistency should be similar to chocolate syrup. If the mix is too thick, add a little more water. Add this into the Instant Pot and stir well.
Step 4:
Whisk in the sugar. I suggest starting at 1 cup of sugar and tasting it. Just remember as it warms up the sugar will be sweeter.
Step 5:
Add in the cinnamon and nutmeg and stir well.
Step 6:
Place the lid on the pot with the valve open. Stir every 30 minutes or so allowing the chocolate to mix in well. At about 2 hours the hot chocolate will be warm enough to serve.
Step 7:
Serve topped with whipped topping and cinnamon.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Choose high-quality chocolate chips or a chocolate bar with at least 70% cocoa solids for a rich and smooth hot chocolate.
- Use whole milk and heavy cream. This will give your hot chocolate a creamy and decadent texture. If you prefer a lighter version, you can use low-fat milk and skip the heavy cream.
- The amount of sugar needed may vary depending on the sweetness of the chocolate and your personal preference. Start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.
- Add whipped cream, marshmallows, or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top of your hot chocolate for extra flavor and presentation.
Variations
- Spiced Hot Chocolate: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of chili powder to your hot chocolate for a spicy kick. You can also add cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm and cozy flavor.
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Stir in a few drops of peppermint extract or a candy cane for a refreshing and minty twist.
- Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: Drizzle some caramel sauce and sprinkle a pinch of sea salt over your hot chocolate for a sweet and salty treat.
- White Hot Chocolate: Use white chocolate chips instead of semi-sweet chocolate chips for a creamy and indulgent white hot chocolate.
- Nutella Hot Chocolate: Stir in a spoonful of Nutella hazelnut spread for a rich and nutty flavor.
Storing
Storing: Let the hot chocolate cool to room temperature, then place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the Instant Pot, on the stovetop or in a slow cooker until warmed through.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes! To make Mexican hot chocolate, you'll have to add ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Also, use bittersweet chocolate.
Add more chopped chocolate! It will feel like you are adding a lot of chocolate, but just go for it!
Technically, hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder, but we tend to say hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is made with melted chocolate, while hot cocoa is not.
I recommend using the chocolate bars that are sold in the baking section. The chocolate bars that are sold in a different section from the baking section, meant for eating, can sometimes not melt well.
Absolutely! This recipe is super easy to double and is great for a party or crowds. Leave it on the Keep Warm setting until your guests are ready.
More Drink Recipes You'll Love
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Recipe adapted from Simply Low Cal.
Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 bar of chocolate dark or bittersweet
- 1 gallon whole milk
- ⅔ cup cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Press the slow cook button on the Instant Pot. Set time to 2 hours and 30 minutes.
- Chop the chocolate bar and place into the Instant Pot. Once it starts to melt, stir fast and pour in the milk. It will clump up, but don’t worry, as the Instant Pot heats up this will melt and leave specks of chocolate throughout your hot cocoa.
- Mix together the cocoa powder with the water until it becomes a liquid paste. The consistency should be similar to chocolate syrup. If the mix is too thick, add a little more water. Add this into the Instant Pot and stir well.
- Whisk in the sugar. I suggest starting at 1 cup of sugar and tasting it. Just remember as it warms up the sugar will be sweeter. Add the sugar to your own taste buds.
- Add in the cinnamon and nutmeg and stir well.
- Place the lid on the pot with the valve open. Stir every 30 minutes or so allowing the chocolate to mix in well. At about 2 hours the hot chocolate will be warm enough to serve.
Notes
- Choose high-quality chocolate chips or a chocolate bar with at least 70% cocoa solids for a rich and smooth hot chocolate.
- Use whole milk and heavy cream. This will give your hot chocolate a creamy and decadent texture. If you prefer a lighter version, you can use low-fat milk and skip the heavy cream.
- The amount of sugar needed may vary depending on the sweetness of the chocolate and your personal preference. Start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste.
- Add whipped cream, marshmallows, or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top of your hot chocolate for extra flavor and presentation.
- Storing: Let the hot chocolate cool to room temperature, then place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in the Instant Pot, on the stovetop or in a slow cooker until warmed through.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Enjoy!
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