White hot chocolate is a velvety, decadent spin on your typical hot chocolate! You just need 4 ingredients and 5 minutes. Try my white chocolate mocha or peppermint mocha next.
You ever get so cold that even the idea of going outside is a complete nonstarter? Since it’s not really acceptable to go grocery shopping wearing a sleeping bag, sometimes I just have to drag myself to a car and to a drive through for coffee.
Here’s a quick story of how I took a trip to Dunkin’ and it caused me to create this white hot chocolate recipe:
I’m not a Dunkin Donuts fan. Between being a Bears/Blackhawks/Cubs fan, not knowing how to use the word “wicked” in a sentence, and not liking Dunkin Donuts it’s pretty well established that Massachusetts is never going to accept me as one of their own.
I don’t know what it is… to me, it’s just the McDonald’s of coffee and I don’t know why people are so fanatical about it. If you work at/like McDonald’s, please don’t be offended – it’s just not my jam.
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 cold. And dead set on a White Hot Chocolate. So I headed home and decided to make my own White Hot Chocolate.
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)
- ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 ounces high quality white chocolate, chopped
You’ll bring it all to a simmer in your saucepan while stirring frequently, then pour it in your mug and enjoy. That’s it!
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 5 minutes, you’ll have yourself a delicious White Hot Chocolate that’s totally worth topping with a sky-high pile of whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Voila!
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!
White Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups milk, or non-dairy milk of your choice
- ½ cup heavy cream, or omit and just use 3 cups milk
- ¾ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 4 ounces high quality white chocolate, chopped
- Whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings, etc. , optional
Instructions
- Combine milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract and white chocolate in a small saucepan over low medium heat. Stir frequently until it comes to a simmer.
- Pour into a mug and top with whipped cream, and/or whatever else your heart desires. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Let us know what you think!