Red Velvet Hot Chocolate
White chocolate chips melting into steamy milk? Red food coloring that makes it all pink and Valentine’s Day pretty? A mountain of whipped cream on top with sprinkles? Now that’s the kind of hot chocolate you make for a special occasion – a red velvet hot chocolate.
It looks like somethin fancy a barista made you at a coffee shop – yummy hot chocolate with actual red velvet cake crumbles and cream cheese frosting!
So if you need something warm, stunning-looking and cozy that takes 15 minutes? And uses stuff that’s already sitting in your pantry? This is it. Kind of nostalgic (reminds me of making hot chocolate as a kid) but also cute enough to serve your loved one for Valentine’s. White chocolate makes it taste a little fancy even though it’s super simple to throw together.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk (any kind works but whole milk is extra creamy – I’ve also used almond milk and it was fine, just not as thick)
- 1 tablespoon white chocolate chips (you can use a white chocolate bar broken up if that’s what you have, or even vanilla chips work)
- 1 teaspoon sugar (skip this if you want it less sweet, the white chocolate already has sugar in it)
- Red food coloring (2-3 drops, or more if you want it super red – gel food coloring works better than the liquid stuff and you need less of it)
- Whipped cream (the kind from a can is totally fine, or make your own if you’re feeling fancy – I never do)
- Red and pink sprinkles (for making it look cute – you could also use mini chocolate chips or crushed candy canes)
How to Do It
Heat Up Your Milk
So you get a small pan and pour your milk in. Medium heat is what you want here. Wait until it gets steamy but don’t let it bubble up and boil! If it boils it can get that weird skin on top and also it might overflow everywhere. I learned that the hard way. Just watch for little wisps of steam coming up.
Melt in the White Chocolate
Drop those white chocolate chips right in the hot milk. I just keep stirring and stirring until they disappear into the milk. That’s the secret to making it taste fancy instead of boring. Sometimes a few chips are stubborn so I smush them against the side of the pan with my spoon. Takes maybe a minute or two to get them all melted.
Add the Sugar
Now stir in the sugar. It goes away pretty fast if your milk is hot enough. Just keep moving your spoon around. Honestly you can taste it at this point and see if you even need the sugar – some people like it less sweet.
Make It Red
This is my favorite part! You add the red drops – I usually do 3 at first. Stir it really good so it’s not all swirly and weird.
Want it redder? Just add more drops, I won’t judge. The color gets deeper as you add more but be careful because too much can make it taste a little funny. Also your tongue might turn red which is hilarious if kids are drinking it.
Keep Heating
Let everything sit there heating up for like 2 or 3 more minutes. Stir it sometimes. You’re basically just making sure it’s all mixed and hot. Don’t walk away though because milk can burn on the bottom if you’re not paying attention! I usually turn the heat down to low at this point.
Pour Into Your Mug
Take it off the stove now. Pour it in your mug – I always use my favorite one for this! Be careful because it’s really hot. If you’re making this for kids maybe let it cool down for a minute first.
Add Whipped Cream
Pile on the whipped cream! Seriously use a lot because it’s the best part when it starts melting into the hot chocolate. If you’re using the canned kind, shake it up first. I usually do like a huge swirl on top that’s taller than the mug.
Sprinkle Everything
Get your sprinkles out and dump them on top. The red and pink ones look so pretty together. Makes it look like something from a cafe. You could also do white sprinkles or those little heart-shaped ones if it’s Valentine’s day. My daughter likes when I use way too many sprinkles.
Drink It While It’s Hot
Drink it right now while it’s warm! The whipped cream starts melting into the hot chocolate and it’s so good. Sometimes I eat the whipped cream with a spoon first though, not gonna lie.
Red Velvet Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp white chocolate chips
- 1 tsp sugar
- Red food colouring 2-3 drops
- Whipped cream
- Red and pink sprinkles
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until it starts to steam. Do not let it boil.
- Add the white chocolate chips to the saucepan and stir until they are completely melted and incorporated into the milk.
- Stir in the sugar until it dissolves completely.
- Add 2-3 drops of red food coloring to the saucepan and stir well to evenly distribute the color. Add more drops if desired for a deeper red color.
- Continue heating the mixture for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it is hot and well combined.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and pour the red velvet hot chocolate into mugs.
- Top each mug with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
- Sprinkle red and pink sprinkles over the whipped cream for added decoration.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious and festive Red Velvet Hot Chocolate!
