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White Hot Chocolate is a rich and creamy decadent drink that melts in your mouth with a smooth, sweet white chocolate and vanilla flavoring. Warm up with this delicious hot chocolate throughout the entire holiday season!

Yummy, seasonal drinks make the winter season even better. If you love sitting by a fire with a mug in hand try this Classic Eggnog Recipe, this delicious Slow Cooker Apple Cider (2 Ways) or this easy Wassail!

White hot chocolate in glasses with whipped topping.

White Hot Chocolate

If you love classic hot cocoa then you are in for a treat! This delightful twist on a winter favorite is so good that you may never go back to the original! This white hot chocolate is creamy and has just enough of a hit of white chocolate flavor that it’s different and tasty, but not overwhelming.

This recipe is simple to make. I love serving this white hot chocolate at family parties or gatherings with friends because it’s always a surprise to the guests when they take a sip. But every single time, they leave the party asking for the recipe! Give it a try, you will absolutely love it!

Ingredients in Homemade White Hot Chocolate

This is a simple and easy white hot chocolate recipe. It is SO smooth, rich and creamy plus, it’s very simple to make! Check out the ingredients at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

  • Milk:  I prefer 1 percent or 2 percent milk. If you want this a bit creamier then you can also use whole milk, half and half,or heavy cream instead.
  • Vanilla Extract: A splash of this vanilla extract will add so much flavor to the white hot chocolate recipe.
  • White Chocolate: This ingredient is the star of the show. To get it nice and fine, try chopping it up with a food processor.
  • Whipped Cream:  I use this to go on top but my kids love using mini marshmallows too!
  • Nutmeg: This is optional but it adds a deep flavor that really reminds me of the holidays.

How to Make White Hot Chocolate

White chocolate has a low melting point so you do not want to overcook it! Carefully follow these directions, and you will soon be sipping on this delicious drink by your fire!

  1. Combine: Whisk together milk, chocolate, and vanilla in a small saucepan.
  2. Cook: Cook over medium-low heat, occasionally stirring, until the white hot chocolate comes to a simmer. (Do not let it come to a boil.)
  3. Garnish: Remove from heat and serve immediately. Top it with some whipped cream or marshmallows if desired

Variations

Change things up with this delicious white hot chocolate and you can make it all season long! Here are some ideas to try so that you can make it to fit your needs.

  • Cream: Use any kind of milk you prefer, such as whole, low-fat, skim, nondairy, almond milk, or any milk percentages. For more decadence, add a splash of cream or half-and-half to add a rich and creamy flavoring. Blend any of these combinations as well.
  • Chocolate: Milk or dark chocolate works well with this recipe too. A blend of milk or dark with white chocolate is another way to enhance this warm drink for the winter season.
  • Toppings: This is my kids’ favorite part! The toppings! Try garnishing this with mini chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candies, Andes mints, or heath bits. Hang a little candy cane over the top to make this festive for the holidays!
  • Seasonings: Try sprinkling in some cinnamon, pumpkin spice, allspice, or nutmeg. You can also add in a dash of peppermint extract to change up the entire flavor!
White hot chocolate in a pot with a wooden spoon.

Tips

White hot chocolate can be tricky to work with. Here are a few tips to ensure this delicious drink turns out perfect every time!

  • Freeze: Before chopping or grating your white chocolate pieces, freeze them. This will help prevent the white chocolate from melting or becoming too soft.
  • How to Chop: For more finely chopped white chocolate, you can use a blender or food processor if needed. Chopping or grating your white chocolate will also be fine.
  • Don’t Overcook It: Once it is simmering, take it off the stove immediately before it starts to boil. You don’t want to overcook it!
  • Garnish: Toast your white hot chocolate using a broiler or a kitchen torch to caramelize the top.

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The top view of some white hot chocolate in glass cups with whipped cream on top.

How to Make White Hot Chocolate Ahead of Time

  • Making ahead: Follow the instructions accordingly, then let cool entirely once simmered. Place in an airtight container. Your white hot chocolate will become hard in the refrigerator.
  • Warming up: This white hot chocolate is great for making ahead; however, you will want to warm it up slowly and bring it to a simmer. Then remove quickly to serve.

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White Hot Chocolate

5 from 3 votes
By: Alyssa Rivers
White Hot Chocolate is a rich and creamy decadent drink that melts in your mouth with a smooth, sweet white chocolate and vanilla flavoring. Warm up with this delicious hot chocolate throughout the entire holiday season!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 8

Ingredients 

  • 4 cups milk of choice (you can substitute half and half or heavy cream)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 ounces white chocolate chopped into small pieces
  • whipped cream or marshmallows for topping
  • nutmeg (optional)

Instructions 

  • Stir together milk, chocolate, and vanilla in a small saucepan.
  • Cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the white hot chocolate comes to a simmer. (Do not let it come to a boil.)
  • Remove from heat and serve immediately, topped with whipped cream or marshmallows if desired.

Notes

Updated on November 30, 2022
Original Post on November 15, 2012

Nutrition

Calories: 227kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 6gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 21mgSodium: 72mgPotassium: 265mgFiber: 0.1gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 206IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 207mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

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25 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    OMgosh! This was divine! So easy! And different. I received lots of positive compliments. Mostly people saying how fun that it is WHITE!
    Served with canned whipped cream and Christmas sprinkles in glass mug. Very very pretty. I could drink it forever!

  2. 5 stars
    This recipe sounds so good. So when i put together the hot cocoa bar for the grandkids, i will be making this white cocoa . My husband is allergic to chocolate & i want him to join in on the hot cocoa bar fun, I’m sire this recipe will be yummylicious.

  3. Looks great! Nothing is better than white chocolate. Is it possible to add other flavors like cinnamon of peppermint?

  4. 5 stars
    I tried this and it was very good!
    I found it wasn’t as rich as the regular chocolate, which for me was a positive thing.
    Instead of nutmeg, I sprinkled the drink with cinnamon, and the addition was just perfect.

    Thank you for sharing
    Hoping for a Happy New Year filled with blessings for you.

  5. I Love Hot Chocolate, I Love White Chocolate, I Love those cookies…I Can Not wait to put ALL of them Together ; >) YUM, YUM

  6. This looks mouthwatering!! I wanted to let you know I featured it in my roundup! You can see it here…http://sewlicioushomedecor.com/30-delicious-hot-chocolate-recipes. 🙂

    Marti