The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
Our recipe uses staple ingredients, with no secret ingredient or hard-to-find spices, to create a family-favorite drink full of warm spices. In just five easy steps and twenty minutes, you can cozy up with a cup in the comforts of your own home.
This recipe costs about $4.19 to make. The recipe makes six servings, which costs approximately $0.69 per serving.
It costs less to make homemade hot chocolate, and we think our recipe tastes better than IHOP Gingerbread Hot Chocolate. You can skip the store-bought version too! It is the perfect warm drink to enjoy snuggled up with a cozy blanket all winter.
With this recipe, you control what goes into your hot cocoa mix and enjoy a cup whenever you want. The best part is that you probably already have the ingredients to make this hot chocolate drink in your cupboard.
What You’ll Love About Gingerbread Hot Chocolate:
- Rich and Creamy: Our hot chocolate recipe calls for whole milk, creating an ultra-creamy drink versus using water as the base.
- Festive Flavor: The seasonal gingerbread flavor is the perfect addition to a cup of hot chocolate and is ideal for helping you get into the Christmas spirit. It is a unique flavor pairing that takes ordinary hot chocolate to the extraordinary.
- Easy To Make: If you have never made a hot chocolate mix before, it is easier than you think, and this is a great recipe to start with!
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
- ½ cup brown sugar – $0.28
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder – $0.82
- 2 Tablespoons molasses – $0.42
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon – $0.17
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger – $0.48
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice – $0.23
- ¼ teaspoon salt – $0.01
- 6 cups whole milk – $0.86
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract – $0.92
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check out Budget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in November 2023.
How To Make Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- First, whisk together the brown sugar, cocoa, molasses, spices, and salt in a medium saucepan.
- Then, slowly whisk in the milk.
- Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through.
- Next, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Finally, serve with desired toppings, such as a gingerbread cookie, chocolate shavings, and whipped cream, and serve.
Storage Tips
SERVE: Serve hot with whipped cream, sprinkles, and cookies.
STORE: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.
FREEZE: This recipe does not freeze and defrost well, so we do not recommend freezing it.
Gingerbread Hot Chocolate Recipe FAQs:
Yes, it can expire. The ingredients do have a shelf-life. We recommend consuming the hot chocolate mix within three months.
Store the mix in an airtight container at room temperature. If you have leftover liquid hot chocolate, store it in a mason jar with the lid on in the fridge.
Get Kids Involved
Ages 2-3: Your little one can help gather and count the cups for pouring the hot chocolate into. They will also enjoy helping you garnish the hot chocolate with the toppings of your choice.
Ages 4-5: Discuss fractions as your child helps to pre-measure the ingredients needed for this hot cocoa mix.
Ages 6-8: This is a recipe your child can attempt to make with you close by. With only a few ingredients, they can learn to use the stovetop and master the recipe.
Ages 9-11: Supervise them while they prepare the entire recipe. Remember to have them read it twice before beginning the recipe.
Ages 12+: Let them prepare the entire recipe unsupervised while you do the happy dance in the corner!
Budget Tips
Making hot chocolate from scratch is a cost-effective way to save money on your grocery budget. It is cheaper to make it homemade, and it tastes better, too!
More Christmas Recipes
Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- Measuring cups and spoons
- medium saucepan
- whisk
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar packed
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 2 Tablespoons molasses
- 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 cups whole milk or 2% if you like
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
TOPPINGS:
- Whipped cream
- Cinnamon for dusting
- Marshmallows
- Gingerbread cookies
- Meringue cookies
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together brown sugar, cocoa, molasses, spices, and salt.
- Gradually whisk in the milk.
- Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Serve with toppings of your choice, all optional.
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