Warm your belly with this rich, decadent Thick, and Creamy Pumpkin Hot Chocolate. The perfect treat to enjoy while strolling around the neighborhood looking at the Christmas lights. Want to kick it up a notch? You can always put a wee tipple of somethin' in there for the adults in the party (but shhh you didn't hear it from me)!
We love mixing it up from a traditional hot chocolate around here, one of my other favorites would have to be this Turmeric Infused Hot Chocolate or this White Matcha Hot Chocolate.
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Thick and Creamy Pumpkin Hot Chocolate
Cold nights just beg for a big batch of hot chocolate to be served up to warm big and little bellies alike.
Make yours a Thick and Creamy Pumpkin Hot Chocolate to get a little bit of extra goodness in there, or simply to use up that last bit of pumpkin puree you have hanging out in the fridge following your Holiday baking.
And I know we all have that half a can hanging out in there.
What Ingredients Are Needed For A Pumpkin Hot Chocolate?
There's nothing too fancy in here, don't worry.
You are going to need:
- pumpkin puree: you can either use canned pumpkin or homemade pumpkin puree. Seeing as we only need a couple of spoonfuls, this is the perfect recipe for using up leftover pumpkin puree from Holiday baking;
- sugar: I like to use coconut sugar in my hot chocolates, as that is what I always have on hand, however, feel free to use whatever type of sugar you enjoy using;
- cocoa powder: I prefer to use an unsweetened cocoa powder, as I love a good savory undertone to my hot chocolates, but feel free to use whatever cocoa powder you have on hand (just note the cocoa you use will change the sweetness of the hot chocolate);
- pure vanilla extract;
- milk: feel free to use whatever milk you have on hand. I tend to use almond milk, but regular cows milk works just as well;
- whipped cream: again use what you have on hand. I use a regular whipped cream but you can also use whipped coconut cream or one of the new plant-based whipped creams now available;
- cinnamon powder and sprinkles to serve
Make this your own and use the ingredients you have on hand and enjoy using in your kitchen rather than rushing out to buy coconut sugar or almond milk etc.
How To Make The Best Pumpkin Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolates are so easy to make.
We are simply going to add all of the ingredients (except for the whipped cream) to a small saucepan, and slowly add the milk while whisking, until the mixture reaches the desired temperature.
Once heated through and smooth, pour into the cup of choice, top with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and maybe some fun sprinkles, and you are good to go.
Number one tip: do NOT burn the milk.
Pumpkin hot chocolate can be made ahead of time and simply reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.
It can also be made in a slow cooker, or the slow cooker setting of an instant pot, and left on the warm setting until served.
This is a perfect option when catering to a crowd!
Storage and Reheating
Any leftover pumpkin hot chocolate should be allowed to cool completely, before being transferred to an airtight container and stored in the fridge for 3-5 days.
To reheat: simply transfer the hot chocolate to a microwave-safe dish and microwave until the desired temperature, or transfer to a small saucepan and reheat on the stovetop until the desired temperature.
Can This Pumpkin Hot Chocolate Be Made For A Crowd?
Of course.
Double or triple the recipe depending on how much you need.
Make it up as per the directions below and then simply pop it into a crockpot on the keep warm setting and just serve up as needed.
Best Way To Serve Up Your Pumpkin Hot Chocolate
There are so many toppings to choose from when serving up this decadent drink.
Choose from:
- whipped cream,
- a sprinkle of cinnamon,
- some actual sprinkles,
- marshmallows,
- and/or a little swirl of melted chocolate or syrup,
- dark chocolate shavings or some chocolate chips,
- add a little bit of Baileys for the adults.
You are only limited by your imagination (and the sweetness level you can handle) so go wild.
Need Some More Warm Drinks?
Of course you do!
Our local neighborhood has crazy good Christmas lights and decorations, so we like to get all rugged up and head out after dark and stroll the streets with a nice warm drink to keep everyone cozy.
If we are feeling particularly festive we will add a little tipple of something to the adults drinks just because.
Check out these delicious offerings that can be made in the slow cooker to fill your house with that great Holiday feel and smell:
- Spiced Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider
- Easy Instant Pot Apple Cider
- Homemade Fall Harvest Hot Crockpot Apple Cider
Happy drinking
xx
Recipe
Thick and Creamy Pumpkin Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon pumpkin puree
- 3 tablespoon coconut sugar
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups milk of choice I use almond milk
- whipped cream or whipped coconut cream, cinnamon powder and sprinkles to serve
Instructions
- Into a medium sized saucepan add the pumpkin puree, coconut sugar, cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Slowly add in the milk, whisking as you go.
- Turn the heat to low and stir frequently until the mixture is smooth and there are no lumps of cocoa powder remaining.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, continuing to stir occasionally so that nothing sticks.
- Once the mixture is smooth and has reached the desired temperature, remove from the heat and ladle into mugs. Top with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon or some actual sprinkles.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Albert Bevia says
I love the combination of flavors you added to this hot chocolate! I could totally drink this right now, It is so cold outside and this will surely bring so much warmth
Donna1 says
Thanks Albert 🙂 It definitely is a big mug of comfort!
Sara says
This looks amazing. I love all things pumpkin so I know this would be yummy!
Amanda says
A creamy pumpkin hot chocolate sounds delish right about now! This is perfect for the holidays!!
Donna1 says
We love it 🙂
Tina says
How interesting, I have never used coconut sugar before, nice!
Donna1 says
We always use it in place of white sugar. It has a much more earthy taste and is delicious
Carrie Ditton says
This would have been wonderful in a thermos last night at our Courthouse Christmas Lighting. Pinned.
Donna1 says
Ha thats exactly what I am doing for our local christmas tree lighting on Thursday night 🙂
Christine says
Sign me up!! 🙂 This sounds like the best of all worlds, haha. Pumpkin and hot chocolate? SO much yes!
Donna1 says
🙂
Kathy says
Oh my goodness! What a wonderful and delicious idea! Looks thick and rich and I can never have enough pumpkin _ I just love it! I also love the idea of adding a little "something-something" for the adults..... I really like how you think!
Donna1 says
But of course 🙂
Helene says
I like these bright sprinkles on top! They look great for the theme and make me want to try your pumpkin hot chocolate. So many comforting flavors in a cup 🙂
Donna1 says
They are so cute aren't they! We don't usually 'do' sprinkles, but these were so bright and festive I couldn't pass them up 🙂
dixya says
why have i not thought about this? i love the texture and taste just reading about it.
Donna1 says
The pumpkin makes it super thick and creamy, and such a good way of using up those last few spoonfuls when baking!!
Julia says
This is such a unique idea! Pumpkin coffee is everywhere but I haven't seen a recipe for Pumpkin Hot Chocolate. It's genius! I wish we had a neighbourhood with the lights like you described. There's a park with beautiful christmas decorations not far from my house but it's 15$ to drive through it and I've never done it. When my daughter is older I will surely make a thermos of Pumpkin hot chocolate and we'll go there.
Veena Azmanov says
One can never have enough of pumpkin at this time of the year. We love hot chocolate and adding pumpkin is usually what I do .. never added pumpkin puree. Gotta try this soon. yum.
Sues says
Nothing better than this on a chilly day on the couch with a blanket and a good book or TV show 🙂
Dominique | Perchance to Cook says
This does look sooo creamy! I love switching things up with my hot chocolate this time of year and adding some pumpkin to the mix sounds delightful. YUM
Analida @ ethnicspoon.com says
This sounds so good! I think I would add a little Bailey's Irish cream mine too!
Donna1 says
I know right, tis the season 🙂
Sarah says
I LOOOOOVE pumpkin hot chocolate! (Of course, I also love salted caramel hot chocolate... rich hot chocolate... I'm an equal opportunity chocolate fan!) This sounds delicious!
Donna1 says
Haha I like your way of thinking 🙂
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
Well I can NEVER get enough pumpkin recipes. I LOVE them all. With the cold weather here, hot chocolate will be a welcome addition to the beverage selection. The perfect way to warm up from the cold. You know....some bourbon would work in here too.
Donna1 says
Oh I am way ahead of you Gloria 🙂 Spiked hot chocolates under the stars over the weekend!!