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Warm up with a rich and creamy Hot Chocolate For One, made with a blend of milk, cream, cocoa powder, and a touch of cinnamon for added warmth. This easy recipe comes together in minutes, creating a perfectly indulgent drink with a luxurious texture and deep chocolate flavor.
Pair a cup of rich, creamy hot chocolate with a dollop of homemade whipped cream or fluffy marshmallows alongside a small batch of butter cookies or spiced gingerbread. This delicious combination brings together the warmth of hot chocolate and the comforting sweetness of freshly baked treats—perfect for a little well-deserved treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Luxuriously Creamy: Made with cream and milk for a rich, velvety texture that’s pure indulgence.
- Easily Customizable: Use your favorite milk, whether dairy or non-dairy, and adjust the sweetness to suit your taste.
- Quick and Easy: This hot cocoa recipe comes together in minutes, using just a handful of simple ingredients. It’s the perfect pick-me-up for any time of day!
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Skip the instant packets—homemade hot chocolate is richer, more flavorful, and made with simple, high-quality ingredients. You control the sweetness, creaminess, and any added touches like a dash of spice or a drizzle of caramel. Whether you use dairy or non-dairy milk, this recipe is endlessly adaptable to your preferences.
A single serving is just right—no waste, no extras, just a perfectly warm and satisfying mug of hot chocolate made from scratch. It’s a simple way to elevate your day with a treat tailored to your taste!
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serve hot chocolate recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Milk and Cream: Choose from whole milk, skim, 1%, 2%, or a dairy-free option like almond or soy milk. For a richer hot chocolate, use milk with a higher fat content or substitute a portion with half-and-half. If you have leftover milk or cream, consider using it in recipes like Vanilla Pudding, Panna Cotta, and Egg Nog.
- Sugar: This recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar, but you can adjust the sweetness to suit your taste. For a sugar-free option, swap in a sweetener like Swerve.
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder delivers the best, most intense chocolate flavor.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds a subtle warmth and depth to the hot chocolate.
- Vanilla Extract: Brings out the chocolate flavor and adds a touch of sweetness for a more indulgent drink.
Recipe Variations
Try these flavorful twists to make your hot chocolate extra special:
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Stir in 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint extract while simmering. Garnish with whipped cream, crushed peppermint candies, and a mini candy cane for a festive touch.
- Mocha Hot Chocolate: Add 1/4 teaspoon of instant espresso powder for a hint of coffee flavor. Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.
- Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: Drizzle caramel sauce over the finished drink and sprinkle with flaky sea salt for a sweet and salty treat.
- Mexican Hot Chocolate: Whisk in a pinch of cinnamon, chili powder, and nutmeg with the cocoa powder. Serve with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick for a warm, spiced twist.
How To Make Hot Chocolate For One
These step-by-step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make a small batch of hot chocolate. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Heat the Milk and Cream: In a small saucepan, warm 1/2 cup of milk and 1/2 cup of cream over medium heat. For a lighter version, you can use 1 cup of milk instead, but the cream adds extra richness.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, stir together the cocoa powder, sugar, and a pinch of cinnamon.
- Combine and Stir: Once the milk and cream are hot (but not boiling), slowly whisk in the cocoa mixture. Stir continuously for about 4 minutes until the hot chocolate thickens slightly and deepens in color.
- Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract for an extra layer of flavor.
- Serve: Pour the hot chocolate into a mug.
Optional: Top with marshmallows for a sweet finishing touch. This simple recipe makes a rich, creamy hot chocolate that’s perfect for treating yourself.
Expert Tips
- Heat Gently: Warm the milk and cream until hot, but avoid boiling to keep the texture smooth and creamy.
- Blend Carefully: Gradually whisk the cocoa mixture into the hot milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
- Adjust to Taste: Before serving, give it a quick taste. Add more sugar or a pinch of cinnamon if needed to suit your preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk are great options. Keep in mind that non-dairy milks may alter the creaminess slightly.
Yes, you can substitute the cream with an equal amount of milk for a lighter hot chocolate. The drink will still be delicious, just less rich.
Marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon or cocoa powder are excellent choices.
Hot chocolate is best enjoyed fresh, but you can mix the cocoa powder, sugar, and cinnamon in advance. Store the dry mix in an airtight container and combine with milk and cream when ready to prepare.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
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If you’ve tried this single serving hot chocolate recipe or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!
Hot Chocolate For One
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, warm the milk and cream over medium heat. Note: For a lighter version, you can use 1 cup of milk instead, but the cream adds extra richness.
- In a small bowl, stir together the cocoa powder, sugar, and cinnamon.
- Once the milk and cream are hot (but not boiling), slowly whisk in the cocoa mixture. Stir continuously for about 4 minutes until the hot chocolate thickens slightly and deepens in color.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract for an extra layer of flavor.
- Pour the hot chocolate into a mug.Optional: Top with marshmallows for a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Heat Gently: Warm the milk and cream until hot, but avoid boiling to keep the texture smooth and creamy.
- Blend Carefully: Gradually whisk the cocoa mixture into the hot milk, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
- Adjust to Taste: Before serving, give it a quick taste. Add more sugar or a pinch of cinnamon if needed to suit your preferences.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Wow! This was easy peazy to make! I read an older comment about doing this in the microwave, so that’s what I did. I didn’t have milk, but I did have heavy cream, half & half and a big container of International Delight Sweet & Creamy coffee creamer. I used all 3 equal measurements and left out the sugar since the coffee creamer already has it!!
This was fantastic and it’s snowing here in Philly!! Happy Holidays!!!
You don’t miss Joanie! ODK is an amazing website.
I am still shocked at how many recipes I can find on this site to cover every craving in a small batch form. Even better, I always seem to have the right ingredients already in my kitchen to make them 😊
Loved the hot chocolate BTW 😉
Thank you so much, Lisa!
Fall is upon us and this hot chocolate just made its seasonal debut in my household. This time I tried the spice blend variation — cinnamon, chipotle chili powder, and nutmeg. Just a small pinch of each gave the beverage a wonderful complexity that complimented the chocolate without overtaking it. Looking forward to several more.
I was craving a cup of hot chocolate and just knew ODK would have a recipe! Wow! Super rich and delicious! No need for those store bought dry packet mixes!