This copycat Starbucks White Hot Chocolate recipe is easily made on the stovetop in minutes and is a fun alternative to traditional hot chocolate. Your family can each top their own mug with their favorite toppings.
If you have hot cocoa mix lying around, try these hot chocolate brownies or hot chocolate mug cake. Or instead of White Hot Chocolate, try making this super rich and creamy Christmas Hot Chocolate.
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⭐Why I Love It:
- Easy Ingredients - You only need 4 easy-to-find ingredients to make a batch.
- Simple To Make - Just add it all to one pot and bring to a simmer until the chocolate is melted and it's all combined.
- Starbucks Copycat Recipe - Save money and make a homemade version of the popular Starbucks White Hot Chocolate!
- Fun Holiday Tradition - If you've never made homemade white hot chocolate for Christmas, this is your sign to start! Serve it alongside your favorite holiday cookies like brown butter sugar cookies or Christmas pretzels.
🍫Ingredients
- Whole Milk - You can swap in a low fat milk, but using whole milk makes it super decadent and rich
- White Chocolate - I recommend using a white chocolate bar (often found in the baking aisle), but in a pinch you can use white chocolate chips. I just find that the chips don't melt as well. Also try making white chocolate fudge!
- Vanilla Extract
- Kosher Salt - A small pinch of salt really brings out the flavor!
- Topping Ideas: Whipped Cream, White Chocolate Shavings, Ground Cinnamon, Cocoa Powder, Marshmallows
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
📖Substitutions and Variations
- Slow Cooker - If you prefer to make Crockpot White Hot Chocolate instead of on the stovetop, you can just add the ingredients to your slow cooker and cook on Low for 2-3 hours. Give it a stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted and the white hot chocolate is warmed and smooth
- Other Milk - I like to use regular whole milk so that it is richer, but you can swap in 2% milk if you want it to be lighter.
- Chocolate Chips - You can make homemade white hot chocolate with white chocolate chips! While I prefer using a bar of chocolate or baking wafers because it melts easier, in a pinch you can swap in chips!
- Peppermint - Adding a tiny splash of peppermint extract is another fun holiday spin. You can also garnish the mugs with crushed peppermint candies.
- Boozy White Hot Chocolate - For an adults only Christmas Hot Cocoa, add some Bailey's, Peppermint Schnapps, or Kahlua (to taste).
🎅🏻Set Up a Christmas Hot Chocolate Bar!
For a fun way to serve, set up a white hot cocoa bar! Put out lots of toppings and mix-in options for everyone to customize their own mug! You can easily double or triple the recipe to make a larger batch.
- Whipped Cream - Either a can of aerosol whipped cream or a tub of whipped topping
- Shaved Chocolate
- Crushed Peppermint Candies
- Chocolate Syrup or Caramel Sauce - For guests to drizzle over the top (especially over the whipped cream)
- Bailey's or Peppermint Schnapps
- Mini Marshmallows
🔪Step By Step Instructions
Making copycat Starbucks White Hot Chocolate is easy! Just add warm the milk then mix in the rest of the ingredients.
Photo 1 - In a small pot on the stove, heat the milk over medium-low until steaming and gently simmering (not boiling).
Photo 2 - Turn off the heat. Add the white chocolate, salt, and vanilla - whisk to melt the chocolate for about 30 seconds. Turn heat back to medium-low and heat until warm and barely simmering. Then enjoy!
🍽Leftovers and Storage
Although I recommend making the batch right before serving, you can store leftovers in a container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend reheating in a pot on the stove until warmed. If you choose to reheat in the microwave, I recommend reheating in 30 second increments and stirring in between.
💭Recipe Tips
- Simmer, do not boil - It's very important to use only medium-low heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and not boil it. You don't want to scorch the milk or white chocolate.
- Chop up the Chocolate Finely - If you want the white chocolate to melt faster and incorporate into the milk, then it's best to finely chop up the chocolate.
- Additional Milk - As written, this recipe is decadent and rich in white chocolate flavor which I LOVE! If you want it less rich for yourself or your kids, you can easily add a little more milk to thin it out slightly.
👩🍳Recipe FAQs
White hot chocolate is made from white chocolate in hot milk white a white mocha is like white hot chocolate but it has espresso added.
I love to pair Hot Chocolate with a variety of Christmas Cookies - especially sweets that aren't chocolate based like sugar cookies, peppermint cookies, etc.
For many families, hot chocolate is a Christmas tradition! And in some countries, like Peru, it is a very common tradition.
The key to a great hot chocolate bar is to have lots of options for toppings and mix-ins. You can either arrange them in small bowls near the pot of hot cocoa or arrange them on a board in a pretty presentation. See above in the blog post for ideas of things to include!
☕️Related Drink Recipes...
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PrintRecipe
Starbucks White Hot Chocolate (Copycat Recipe)
This copycat Starbucks White Hot Chocolate recipe is easily made on the stovetop in minutes and is a fun alternative to traditional hot chocolate. Your family can each top their own mug with their favorite toppings.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 Servings
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 4 ounces white chocolate, chopped
- 2 cups whole milk, up to ½ cup more to taste
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Instructions
- Heat Milk - In a small saucepan, add the milk and heat over medium-low until steaming and gently simmering. Do not boil.
- Melt Chocolate - Turn off heat and add the white chocolate, vanilla, and salt. Whisk for about 30 seconds to melt the chocolate. Turn the heat back on to medium-low and heat for a few minutes, while whisking occasionally, to warm.
- Enjoy - It's done when it is gently bubbling along the edges and smooth. Taste and if you prefer a less rich, white chocolate flavor you can add a little more milk. Serve immediately in mugs with toppings of your choosing.
Notes
White Chocolate - Using a white chocolate bar (vs chips) will melt better in the warm milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 394
- Sugar: 46.1 g
- Sodium: 185 mg
- Fat: 18.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 45.9 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 11.6 g
- Cholesterol: 16.8 mg
Katie says
This had the best rich, white chocolate flavor. And it was easy to make!