Name: Easy Homemade White Hot Chocolate
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups milk (or non-dairy milk of your choice); 1/2 cup heavy cream (or omit and just use 3 cups milk); 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract; 4 ounces high quality white chocolate (chopped); Whipped cream, marshmallows, white chocolate shavings, etc. (optional)

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5 from 1 vote

White hot chocolate is a velvety, decadent spin on your typical hot chocolate! You just need 4 ingredients and 10 minutes. Try my white chocolate mocha or peppermint mocha next.

White hot chocolate topped with a mountain of whipped cream in a clear mug on a red and white dish towel

Here’s how a trip to Dunkin’ Donuts caused me to create this white hot chocolate recipe:

Let me preface what comes next by saying there was a giant poster next to the menu about the sixteen million different kinds of hot chocolate they offer.

DD Guy: Welcome to Dunkin Donuts. May I take your order?
Me: Yes, please! I’d like a medium White Hot Chocolate.
DD Guy: We don’t have White Hot Chocolate.
Me: …. it’s on your menu.
DD Guy: That’s not something we ever carried.
Me: … I’ve ordered it before. I’m looking at the giant poster that exclusively focuses on your many hot chocolates, including White Hot Chocolate, as we speak. Right there.
DD Guy: Oh. I meant we don’t have it right now.
Me: [sigh] That is a very different statement. Nevermind then – have a nice day.
DD Guy: [silence]

Needless to say, I was disappointed. And still dead set on a White Hot Chocolate. So I headed home and decided to make my own White Hot Chocolate!

Chopped white chocolate bar on a cutting board with a chef's knife

Clear bowl of chopped white chocolate with two measuring cups of milk and cream, a bottle of vanilla extract and clear mugs

How to make homemade white hot chocolate

Gather your ingredients and a small saucepan:

2 ½ cups milk, or non-dairy milk of your choice
½ cup heavy cream (or omit and just use 3 cups milk)
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
4 ounces high quality white chocolate, chopped

You’ll bring it all to a simmer in your saucepan while whisking frequently, then pour it in your mug and enjoy. That’s it!

Milk being poured into a saucepan of chopped white chocolate

White hot chocolate in a clear mug on a red and white dish towel

Use high quality white chocolate

I highly recommend using a high quality white chocolate, such as Ghirardelli Classic White Chocolate Baking Bars.

How can you tell if it’s high quality? You want to make sure one of the ingredients is cocoa butter because it makes a word of difference. Just trust me on this.

After about 10 minutes, you’ll have yourself a delicious White Hot Chocolate that’s totally worth topping with a sky-high pile of whipped cream and white chocolate shavings. Voila!

Flavor variations

Peppermint: Add ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract to turn it into a peppermint white hot chocolate, and add a little candy cane for a sweet festive garnish
Orange: Orange and white chocolate go surprisingly well together – add ⅛ teaspoon orange extract, and top with a little orange zest
Eggnog: Swap the milk for eggnog for an extra decadent, festive drink
Alcohol: Add a splash of Amaretto, Baileys, Kahlua, whiskey or bourbon to turn it into a more adult beverage

How to store leftover white hot chocolate

Let the white hot chocolate cool down to room temperature, then transfer to a heat-proof bowl and cover tightly in the fridge for up to 3 days.

To reheat, warm it up in a small saucepan over low heat until warmed through.

Behind the scenes

This right here? This is the face of a cat moments before he realized there was whipped cream to be had.

Right before he jumped up on the prop table and proceeded to catapult white hot chocolate and sprinkles all over the walls, floor, and me.

I would have taken pictures of the aftermath (that he was VERY proud of, btw), but I was too busy frantically trying to prevent sticky white hot chocolate from becoming permanent décor.

Black, brown and white cat on a wood floor — He had no regrets.

After you’ve made this recipe, please consider coming back to share your experience with others by leaving a comment below with a star rating!