Warm up this season with a cup of homemade white hot chocolate. It’s sweet, creamy and a decadent festive drink that is easy to make in only a few minutes!

Hot White chocolate in a red mug with whipping cream and marshmallows on top.

This homemade white hot chocolate recipe is one of my favorite ways to warm up on a cold day! It’s smooth and creamy with a light vanilla taste balanced by sweet and velvety white chocolate.

I love to top mine with homemade whipped cream, marshmallows and candy canes but you can top this basic recipe however you like!

Hot white chocolate is simple to make at home and just like my pumpkin spice latte the taste is just as amazing as the local coffee shop! I love enjoying it with a slice of peppermint crumb bread during the holiday season, although it’s good anytime cooler weather arrives.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Easy White Hot Chocolate

Delicious sweet taste: White chocolate when combined with milk becomes so creamy and indulgent all you need is a small cup to enjoy the rich white chocolate flavor!
Easy to make: For this drink recipe, all you need are 3 simple ingredients! It couldn’t be any simpler to indulge your sweet tooth than with this easy white hot chocolate recipe.

White Hot Chocolate Ingredients

Hot White chocolate ingredients in separate bowls.

Milk: I prefer to use whole milk or 2% milk for a more creamy white hot chocolate, but you can use any milk you like including dairy free milk.
White chocolate: I recommend using a good quality white chocolate bar chopped into white pieces. White chocolate chips often have added additives. With so few ingredients, quality is important!
Vanilla extract: The vanilla flavor is one of the main flavors in this white hot chocolate, so opt for a quality, real vanilla extract not imitation.
Optional toppings: Whipping cream or heavy cream to make homemade whipped cream, mini marshmallows and candy canes.

Is White Chocolate Considered Chocolate?

No, since white chocolate does not contain any cocoa solids or chocolate solids like milk chocolate or dark chocolate it is technically not chocolate. It’s made from cocoa butter and has a sweeter taste.

But are we really one to argue when it comes to chocolate? This easy recipe for white hot chocolate is the best hot drink for the season and I think the white color makes it even more festive to match the snow!

Hot white chocolate in a red festive mug topped with whipped cream, crushed candy canes and marshmallows.

How to Make White Hot Chocolate

There is really only one step to making this hot chocolate! As is, it makes 4 small servings, but you can make as little or much as you need.

In a pot over medium-low heat, stir together the milk, white chocolate and vanilla. Keep stirring until the chocolate has melted then ladle into small cups and add your favorite garnishes!

Tips and Variations

A pinch of salt: A pinch of flakey sea salt will really help balance out the flavors!
Avoid scalding the milk: When heating the milk, don’t bring it to a boil. The heat should be high enough to melt the white chocolate but not scald.
Alcohol: As is, this homemade white chocolate hot chocolate is kid-friendly! But if you want to make it for adults, add some Kahlua or Irish cream.
Peppermint white hot chocolate: Add up to ½ teaspoon peppermint extract to the white chocolate mixture.
Other chocolate: Change the chocolate to milk chocolate or dark chocolate for a different hot cocoa!

Make Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate for a Crowd

If you’re serving this at a party, make crock pot white chocolate! For this version, you will want to triple the recipe! Increase milk to 7 ½ cups, white chocolate to 10 ½ ounces and 3 teaspoons vanilla extract.

All ingredients to the crockpot then set it on high for the chocolate to melt. Stir frequently then change to the warm setting so the hot chocolate simmers and guests can help themselves.

I love to make a hot chocolate bar with a variety of toppings in small bowls so everyone can garnish their mug of white hot chocolate how they like it best!

Storage

This recipe is so simple it’s easy to whip up a batch anytime the craving hits, but if you have leftovers you can store them!

Store: Store leftover white chocolate hot chocolate in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a saucepan over low heat on the stovetop.
Freeze: Freeze in a freezer safe bag, thaw and reheat!

White hot chocolate in a red mug with candy canes scattered around.

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