French Vanilla Hot Chocolate From Scratch
My French vanilla hot chocolate is made completely from scratch. No pre-made creamers or syrups, just wholesome ingredients! The combination of light brown cane sugar and pure vanilla extract gives it a custard-like taste. I’ve always thought French vanilla was one of the coziest flavors, so I knew it needed to be in hot chocolate for the holidays. I hope it finds a special place on your table this winter!
This post may contain affiliate links of items I know and love. Read our disclosure policy for more information. I NEVER use AI (artificial intelligence) to create content for Plum Branch Home. Recipes, blog posts, photos, videos, podcasts, social media content: everything is made from scratch by me, Molly LaFontaine. After developing my recipes, they’re tested 2x by my husband, Tyler, and I before publishing. What you see from Plum Branch Home is real. It’s made for a reason, tested, and loved!
My mom absolutely loves anything French vanilla flavored; it’s one of her favorites! So as soon as I developed this recipe and tested it out, I sent it to her immediately. She gave it a try and fell in love with the flavors!
After a cup, she tested out my coffee variation idea and really loved that version too. I’ve added her instructions in this blog post and in the notes on the recipe card. She said she highly recommends adding a little coffee to make a French vanilla mocha latte!
Inspiration Behind My French Vanilla Hot Chocolate Recipe
Now that the weather has cooled down and the holidays are coming up, I wanted to make another hot chocolate recipe.
I’ve always loved French vanilla; it’s such a cozy flavor. My parents had French vanilla cappuccino mix while I was growing up, and every time I smelled a cup, it made our home feel even more cozy. So, I wanted to recreate that feeling with a cup of hot chocolate.
I didn’t want to use any pre-made creamer or syrup; they’re full of processed sugars and additives, and I realized there were very few from-scratch French vanilla recipes.
So, I got to work and found light brown cane sugar and pure vanilla extract combine to make the perfect from-scratch French vanilla flavor!
I can’t wait for this hot chocolate to find a special place in your kitchen this holiday season. It really does feel like a giant hug!
What is French Vanilla Hot Chocolate?
French vanilla hot chocolate is a rich, almost custard-flavored hot chocolate. You get that flavor in my recipe from combining pure vanilla extract and light brown cane sugar. They give it a custard-like flavor that tastes so good!
Why We Love This Vanilla Cocoa and So Will You!
- Made From Scratch: No flavored creamers or syrups here! My recipe uses only wholesome ingredients for the best flavor.
- Simple Ingredients: Each ingredient is whole and simple. Even the brown sugar is cane sugar for a better swap.
- Quick and Easy Recipes: You can whip this recipe up in under 10 minutes!
- Perfect for Cold Weather: A cup of this cocoa will warm you right up on a cold winter night.
- A Great Holiday Treat: If you’re looking for a treat to enjoy while decorating your home for Christmas or wrapping gifts, this hot chocolate is the perfect drink!
My Tips for Making French Vanilla Cocoa From Scratch
- Use brown cane sugar rather than regular brown sugar. It tastes better and is more wholesome.
- Use a whisk to combine the ingredients; it makes the cocoa powder combine so much smoother.
- Using a little half and half makes a creamier hot chocolate.
- Don’t use imitation vanilla; pure extract has a better flavor and no caramel coloring.
- Adding a pinch of sea salt adds the perfect flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need (with notes and substitutions)
Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for measurements.
- milk: whole milk is best but you can use any milk
- half & half: you can also just use more milk
- light brown cane sugar: brown cane sugar is a more wholesome option than regular brown sugar
- pure vanilla extract: pure extract is so much better and more wholesome than imitation
- unsweetened cocoa powder: I really like organic if it fits in our budget
- sea salt: you can use regular salt but sea salt is best and more wholesome
Variations
- You can use more milk rather than the half and half if desired.
- If desired, you can add a little extra brown cane sugar if you like a sweeter hot chocolate.
- You can swap the brown cane sugar for raw honey (this is really delicious) but it won’t be as french vanilla flavored as if you used light brown cane sugar.
- If you’d like to make a mocha french vanilla latte, add 1 heaping tsp of instant coffee, a shot of espresso, or brewed coffee to taste.
Helpful Kitchen Tools for this Recipe
This section contains Amazon affiliate links to items I use and love for this recipe.
- medium saucepan
- whisk
- mugs (glass ones like this are my favorite!)
How to Make French Vanilla Hot Chocolate From Scratch
Note: Please see the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post for the full written recipe.
Add all ingredients to a medium sized saucepan.
Heat on medium heat for 5 minutes or until a desired warmth. Whisk frequently to combine the ingredients and prevent the milk from scorching. Don’t let it boil.
Remove from heat, serve in one large mug or two small. Top with homemade whipped cream, if desired, and enjoy!
How to Serve This Hot Chocolate
You can serve French vanilla hot chocolate for a:
- cozy treat on chilly nights
- date night at home with your spouse
- treat while watching a movie
- during the holidays while decorating for Christmas and wrapping gifts
- when guests come to visit
You can serve it on so many occasions. It really is the perfect fall and winter drink recipe!
Best Snacks to Serve Alongside This Cocoa
If you’d like to serve something to snack on alongside French vanilla cocoa, here are a few ideas we love:
- Sourdough Challah (warm with butter)
- Sourdough Apple Bread
- Sourdough Pumpkin Bagels
- Sourdough English Muffins
- Sourdough Banana Bread
- Sourdough Cinnamon Brown Sugar Scones
- Sourdough Banana Walnut Scones
- Sourdough Croissants Made Easy (my favorite!)
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover hot chocolate, store it in a covered glass in the fridge for 1-2 days.
My Favorite Way to Reheat Hot Chocolate
To reheat hot chocolate, whether it’s leftover or just got cold, pour it into a small saucepan and warm over medium heat for a few minutes. It keeps the flavor wonderfully!
Frequently Asked Questions
Sure! Combine the cocoa, brown cane sugar, and sea salt in an airtight jar. Then put a label on the jar that says how much milk, half and half, and vanilla to add when ready to make a cup.
Not necessarily. The French vanilla hot chocolate flavor comes from combining brown sugar and vanilla extract.
Yes, you can. Use whatever milk you’d like, but know if you use anything besides whole milk, it will be less creamy.
Sure! If you’d like to make a mocha french vanilla latte, add 1 heaping tsp of instant coffee, a shot of espresso, or brewed coffee to taste.
No, this is not the French hot chocolate that’s thick. It’s french vanilla flavored hot chocolate.
Yes! The vanilla and brown sugar make a wonderful addition to hot chocolate.
More Cozy Drink Recipes To Try
If you’re looking for more hot drink recipes, try a few of these:
- Spiced Hot Chocolate From Scratch
- Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate From Scratch
- Slow Cooker Apple Cider From Scratch
- Simple Vanilla Latte From Scratch
- Coconut Hot Chocolate From Scratch
- Chai Tea Latte Recipe With Tea Bag (better than Starbucks!)
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Recipe
French Vanilla Hot Chocolate From Scratch
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups milk (whole milk is best but you can use any)
- 1/2 cup half and half (you can also just use more milk)
- 2 Tbsp light brown cane sugar, packed
- 1 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium sized saucepan.
- Heat on medium heat for 5 minutes or until a desired warmth. Whisk frequently to combine the ingredients and prevent the milk from scorching. Don’t let it boil.
- Remove from heat, serve in one large mug or two small. Top with homemade whipped cream, if desired, and enjoy!
Notes
- To leave out half and half, use 2 cups of milk total
- Add more brown cane sugar to taste if you like sweeter hot chocolate
- You can swap the brown cane sugar for raw honey (this is really delicious) but it won’t be as french vanilla flavored as if you used light brown cane sugar.
- If you’d like to make a mocha french vanilla latte, add 1 heaping tsp of instant coffee, a shot of espresso, or brewed coffee to taste.
Love this. Absolutely delicious and printed to add to my menu for the Thanksgiving break. It’s so nice to have an extra treat like this to surprise people with! I plan to pull this out of my recipe hat during a board game day at our house over Thanksgiving for family. Thank you!
Yay! I love that so much, can’t wait for you and your family to enjoy this treat over Thanksgiving break!
This looks SO delicious! My husband loves making homemade hot chocolate for me, but he is MUCH more of a vanilla fan. I want to make this to surprise him because he would love it!