Description

Warm up your winter evenings with this creamy and indulgent Winter Wonderland White Hot Chocolate. Made with rich whole milk, heavy cream, and high-quality white chocolate, this festive beverage offers a smooth, velvety texture and a hint of vanilla and almond extract for a cozy, elegant treat. Perfect for holiday gatherings or a comforting night in, this recipe can also be adapted to a dairy-free version without losing its luscious taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

4 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream

Chocolate & Flavorings

1 cup high-quality white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Toppings (Optional)

Whipped cream for topping
White chocolate shavings or sparkling sugar for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Heat Milk and Cream: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the whole milk and heavy cream. Warm the mixture until it is steaming but not boiling, which should take about 4–5 minutes.
Melt the White Chocolate: Reduce the heat to low. Stir in the white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate, whisking constantly to ensure the chocolate melts smoothly and the mixture becomes fully combined without lumps.
Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla extract and, if using, the almond extract. Continue to heat gently for another 1–2 minutes, making sure the hot chocolate is hot but not scalding to preserve the delicate flavors.
Serve: Pour the hot white chocolate into mugs. Top each serving with whipped cream and garnish with white chocolate shavings or a sprinkle of sparkling sugar for a festive touch.
Enjoy Immediately: Serve the drink immediately while warm to experience the best texture and flavor.

Notes

For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk with oat or almond milk and heavy cream with coconut cream. Use dairy-free white chocolate to maintain the rich flavor.
Add a drop of peppermint extract to the hot chocolate for a refreshing minty variation.
Warm the milk gently to avoid boiling, which can cause the mixture to scorch or separate.