Instant Pot Hot Chocolate

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The easiest instant pot hot chocolate (or instant pot hot cocoa), this is the perfect recipe for hot chocolate that’s creamy, smooth, rich but not too heavy and just sweet enough. You can make this on a stovetop too!

What is instant pot hot chocolate?

It’s delicious hot chocolate as you know it, but made in an instant pot! You use the instant pot on saute mode (no pressure cooking required in my recipe!) to heat the milk and chocolate together.

Why should I make instant pot hot chocolate?

Because the ability to use the keep warm function to keep the hot chocolate at a perfect temperature for as long as you need it is SO useful. I make a batch of this hot chocolate in an instant pot, keep it plugged in and on the keep warm function for however long I need it to stay hot. Perfectly convenient.

The hot chocolate recipe itself is so creamy, smooth, and perfectly balanced in terms of richness and sweetness. It’s an ideal recipe, that comes together so simply!

What’s the difference between instant pot hot cocoa and hot chocolate?

Usually, hot chocolate is made with melted chocolate and milk. Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder and milk. This could be categorized as either, because the recipe used both melted chocolate and cocoa powder. That’s what gives it all it’s chocolatey flavor! Nothing good about hot chocolate that doesn’t really taste like chocolate.

Ingredients to make instant pot hot chocolate:

Water- just a little to dissolve the cocoa in.

Cocoa Powder- you can use regular natural cocoa powder like Hershey’s or a dutch processed cocoa powder, the darker European ones like Cadbury’s.

Sugar– less than comparable recipes. I use just 1/3 cup, most recipes call for 1/2 cup or more. I find this to be the ideal sweetness, but you can taste and adjust accordingly.

Sea salt– a pinch of salt always offsets the chocolate flavor and enhances it

Chocolate chips- just a little bit of semi sweet chocolate is the key to make this hot chocolate extra chocolatey. You’re free to use any chocolate you prefer, whether that’s chocolate chunks, chips, semi-sweet, dark, milk chocolate. Even white chocolate will work well!

Milk and heavy cream- I recommend using whole fat milk in order to achieve a creamy texture. The addition of a little bit of heavy cream also helps to make this rich and creamy, but in a pinch you can use all milk.

Vanille extract- for a little boost of flavor

How to make the best hot chocolate:

1. Turn Instant Pot onto saute mode, and add water, cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate chips, and salt to the pot. Stir, until chocolate melts and mixture combines.
2. Add the milk, heavy cream, and vanilla, and whisk until creamy and slightly thickened, a couple of minutes.
3. Taste, and add more sugar if you like. Place Instant Pot onto keep warm mode until ready to drink.

What to serve hot chocolate with:

• Mini marshmallows are a classic!
• Whipped cream is another great topping
• Rainbow or chocolate sprinkles are always fun
• Try crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
• Chocolate shavings, or Flake chocolate bars
• Toffee bits
• Crushed Oreos
• Salted carmel syrup
• Chocolate syrup

How to make this on the stovetop:

You can definitely make this on the stove top using a large saucepan instead of an Instant Pot. Just follow the steps as listed, but instead of Saute mode, just turn the heat onto medium.

Storing leftover hot chocolate:

Leftover hot chocolate can be stored for up to 4 days in the fridge, tightly covered. To reheat, gently warm in the microwave or on medium low heat in a saucepan.

FAQS and tips and tricks for success:

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