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Instant Pot Hot Chocolate is a decadent and delicious treat that is perfect for chilly evenings and holiday gatherings. With the help of your Instant Pot, this recipe is incredibly easy to make and requires minimal effort. Make a large batch for a crowd, or store leftovers in the fridge for a quick and easy treat later.
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Check out my Double Chocolate Chip Frappe and my Low Calorie Protein Shake for more delicious drink recipes.
Instant Pot hot chocolate is a delicious beverage that is perfect for any occasion.
It's a great way to warm up on a cold winter day, or to serve to guests at a holiday gathering. It can be customized to suit your personal taste preferences, whether you prefer it rich and creamy or with a hint of spice.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make. This recipe is incredibly easy to make with the help of your Instant Pot. You can prepare a large batch in just a few minutes without much effort or cleanup.
- Perfect for entertaining. This recipe is perfect for entertaining guests, whether it's a holiday gathering or just a cozy night in with friends. You can prepare a large batch in advance and keep it warm in your Instant Pot until your guests are ready to indulge.
- Customizable. This recipe can be easily customized to suit your personal taste preferences. You can adjust the amount of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to create a flavor that is perfect for you.
- Delicious. The combination of cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg creates a rich and indulgent flavor that is sure to satisfy any chocolate lover's craving.
Ingredients You'll Need
- 72% Cocoa Bar of Chocolate: Chocolate bars with 72% cocoa content have a higher percentage of cocoa solids and less added sugar, resulting in a richer and more intense chocolate flavor.
- Skim Milk: A low-fat milk that is used in this recipe to create a creamy and rich texture.
- Cocoa Powder: Adds a deep chocolate flavor to the hot chocolate and helps to thicken the mixture.
- Water: Added to help dissolve the cocoa powder and sugar and create a smooth consistency.
- Granulated Sugar: Used to sweeten the hot chocolate and balance out the bitterness of the cocoa powder and chocolate. You can adjust the amount of sugar to your liking.
- Ground Cinnamon: Adds a warm and spicy flavor to the hot chocolate.
- Ground Nutmeg: Adds a slightly sweet and nutty flavor to the hot chocolate.
- Whipped Topping: It's optional, but highly recommended for an indulgent treat.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1:
Press the sauté button on the Instant Pot. Chop the chocolate bar and place into the Instant Pot. Once it starts to melt, stir fast and pour in the milk.
Step 2:
Mix together the cocoa powder with the water until it becomes a liquid paste. The consistency should be similar to chocolate syrup. If the mix is too thick, add a little more water. Add this into the Instant Pot and stir well.
Step 3:
Whisk in the sugar. I suggest starting at 1 cup of sugar and tasting it. Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg.
Step 4:
Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg until well combined.
Step 5:
Close the Instant Pot lid and set it to "Manual" mode for 5 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure and carefully open the Instant Pot lid.
Step 6:
Serve hot with whipped topping (if desired). Enjoy!
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Use high quality chocolate. Using a high-quality chocolate bar with a high percentage of cocoa solids will give your hot chocolate a rich and intense flavor. Look for chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content.
- Adjust the sugar to your taste. The amount of sugar in this recipe is adjustable to your taste preferences. If you prefer a sweeter hot chocolate, add more sugar, and if you prefer a less sweet drink, reduce the amount of sugar.
- Keep warm in the Instant Pot. If you're making this hot chocolate for a party or gathering, you can keep it warm in the Instant Pot on the "Keep Warm" setting. Just be sure to stir occasionally to prevent any skin from forming on the top of the hot chocolate.
Variations
- Mexican Hot Chocolate: Add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the recipe to give it a spicy kick. You can also sprinkle some cinnamon on top before serving.
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the recipe for a refreshing twist. You can also crush some candy canes or peppermint candies and sprinkle them on top before serving.
- Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: Add a drizzle of caramel sauce and a pinch of sea salt to the recipe for a sweet and salty treat.
- White Hot Chocolate: Use white chocolate instead of dark chocolate and omit the cocoa powder for a creamy and sweet white hot chocolate.
- Mocha Hot Chocolate: Add a shot of espresso or a tablespoon of instant coffee to the recipe for a delicious mocha flavor.
Storing
You can store leftover Instant Pot hot chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, warm it up slowly in a pot on the stovetop, or reheat it in the Instant Pot on the "Keep Warm" setting. Be sure to stir the hot chocolate occasionally to prevent it from scorching or forming a skin on top.
Recipe FAQ's
Yes, you can use any type of chocolate you prefer, but keep in mind that the flavor and texture of the hot chocolate may vary. If you're using a chocolate bar with a lower cocoa content, you may need to adjust the amount of sugar to balance out the flavor.
Yes, you can make this recipe on the stovetop by heating the milk and other ingredients in a pot over medium heat. Be sure to stir the mixture frequently to prevent scorching.
It's not recommended to freeze leftover hot chocolate, as the texture may change upon thawing and reheating. It's best to store it in the refrigerator and enjoy it within a few days.
More Instant Pot Recipes
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See more at The Sunshine Bite.
Instant Pot Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 3.5 ounce chocolate bar 72% cocoa chocolate
- 1 gallon skim milk
- ⅔ cup cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Small pinch nutmeg
- Whipped topping optional
Instructions
- Press the sauté button on the Instant Pot. Chop the chocolate bar and place into the Instant Pot. Once it starts to melt, stir fast and pour in the milk.
- Mix together the cocoa powder with the water until it becomes a liquid paste. The consistency should be similar to chocolate syrup. If the mix is too thick, add a little more water. Add this into the Instant Pot and stir well.
- Whisk in the sugar. I suggest starting at 1 cup of sugar and tasting it. Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg until well combined.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and set it to "Manual" mode for 5 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Release any remaining pressure and carefully open the Instant Pot lid.
- Serve hot with whipped topping (if desired). Enjoy!
Notes
- Use high quality chocolate. Using a high-quality chocolate bar with a high percentage of cocoa solids will give your hot chocolate a rich and intense flavor. Look for chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content.
- Adjust the sugar to your taste. The amount of sugar in this recipe is adjustable to your taste preferences. If you prefer a sweeter hot chocolate, add more sugar, and if you prefer a less sweet drink, reduce the amount of sugar.
- Keep warm in the Instant Pot. If you're making this hot chocolate for a party or gathering, you can keep it warm in the Instant Pot on the "Keep Warm" setting. Just be sure to stir occasionally to prevent any skin from forming on the top of the hot chocolate.
- Storing: You can store leftover Instant Pot hot chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, warm it up slowly in a pot on the stovetop, or reheat it in the Instant Pot on the "Keep Warm" setting. Be sure to stir the hot chocolate occasionally to prevent it from scorching or forming a skin on top.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
sarah johnson
I never thought to make hot chocolate in an instant pot. What a great Idea!
Andrea Metlika
Hot chocolate does not last in my house. This big batch version is perfect for us!
Jessica Formicola
I've never thought to make hot chocolate in the Instant Pot! What a great idea! I need to try this asap!
veenaazmanov
Love your instant description to making this Hot Chocolate in the Instant Pot. Very interesting and perfect to get going this weekend for my family.