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A cozy mug of Nutella hot chocolate is quick and easy to make with 3 ingredients, full of the classic chocolate-hazelnut flavor we all love.
Who else is ready to cozy up with a warm mug of Nutella hot chocolate? ♡
We’re settling in for a cold and rainy weekend ahead here in Kansas City, so warm drinks of all kinds are on the agenda, including a round of this delicious chocolate-hazelnut hot chocolate. I actually first shared this recipe here on Gimme Some Oven over a decade ago, and all of these years later, it continues to be a favorite winter tradition here in our home.
This recipe is probably the quickest and easiest version of homemade hot chocolate that you can make, simply stirring a big dollop of Nutella into a warm mug of milk along with a sprinkle of sea salt to bring out the best of the chocolate and hazelnut flavors. It comes together in just a few minutes (and is definitely easy enough for kids to DIY their own mugs). And it always tastes wonderfully nostalgic and indulgent and perfectly Nutella-y.
On a cold winter’s night, there’s nothing better. So grab a jar of Nutella and let’s make some hot chocolate together.
Nutella Hot Chocolate Ingredients
Here are a few quick notes about the Nutella hot chocolate ingredients that you will need for this recipe:
Nutella: Everyone’s favorite creamy chocolate-hazelnut spread is the starring ingredient here, providing the rich and nutty sweetness for the drink.
Milk: You’re welcome to use any type of plain milk that you love best here — dairy or non-dairy — heated until just simmering so that it doesn’t scorch.
Salt: A pinch of salt is essential to round out the best of the Nutella flavors in this recipe, so don’t skip it!
Toppings (optional): Feel free to top your hot chocolate with whatever toppings you love best, such as marshmallows, whipped cream or chocolate shavings. Or you’re welcome to just skip the toppings altogether.
Recipe Tips
Full instructions for how to make Nutella hot chocolate are included in the recipe below, but here are a few additional tips to keep in mind!
Heat milk gradually. I recommend heating the milk on medium heat (or lower) in order to prevent scorching or boiling. Once you see tiny bubbles forming around the edge of the saucepan, it’s ready to go.
Adjust the amount of Nutella to taste. The flavor of Nutella is naturally quite rich and sweet, so please feel free to adjust the amount and add more or less if you prefer.
Add cocoa powder if needed. For those that prefer hot chocolate that’s not too sweet, I would recommend using slightly less Nutella than the recipe calls for and adding in a teaspoon or two of unsweetened cocoa powder to enhance the chocolate flavor.
Have fun with it! This recipe is incredibly flexible and easy to customize, so feel free to adjust the amounts or experiment with any of the variation suggestions below to make this drink your own!
Recipe Variations
Here are a few variations you’re welcome to try with this Nutella hot chocolate recipe:
Add liqueur: Add a splash of liqueur, such as Frangelico (to enhance the hazelnut flavor), amaretto, rum, Bailey’s or Kahlua.
Add extra cocoa: Add extra unsweetened cocoa powder to enhance the chocolate flavor in the drink.
Add some spices: Add a pinch of warming spices, such as cinnamon or nutmeg, to the hot chocolate. To amp up the heat, you can also add a hint of chili powder or cayenne.
Add graham crackers: Top the hot chocolate with a sprinkling of crushed graham crackers (and, optional, roast the marshmallows until charred) to give this more of a s’mores hot chocolate vibe.
Make it vegan: Use a dairy-free chocolate hazelnut spread and your favorite dairy-free milk.
More Hot Chocolate Recipes To Try
Looking for more homemade hot chocolate recipes to try this season? Here are a few of our favorites!
Heat the milk. Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it almost reaches a simmer. (We want the milk to be steaming hot, but avoid boiling.)
Add Nutella. Add in the Nutella and salt and whisk until completely combined.
Serve. Remove from heat. Serve warm, garnished with any of your favorite toppings, and enjoy!
I love it. We used to do it when we were younger with my brothers. It started to not left any Nutella in the empty jar. We heated the milk, poured it in the jar and shook it until all the Nutella was dissolved. That’s funny cause I did it the other for my bf that never tasted it ( Nutella hot cocoa). And now he keep asking me to do it over and over again…
I have been making this for ages, but I do it to use up the “dregs” of Nutella that get stuck in the jar. I add an extra tablespoon (or more – more Nutella is always better!) of Nutella to the jar, then heat 6-8 oz. of milk in the microwave. I pour the milk into the Nutella jar, put the lid on tightly, and shake it like crazy. Then I pour the “hot chocolate” into a mug and enjoy. It’s easy and delicious, and it cleans the jar out really well so there’s no waste :)
If you have a Trader Joe’s nearby, cookie butter tastes amazing in this too! Thanks for the recipe, this is absolutely my new favorite hot chocolate recipe!
Love this! It’s perfect for a windy/cold winter day. I added some mint extract to freshen things up a bit, and it tasted wonderful! Thank you for sharing this recipe to us.
-Em xoxo
I made this for my boyfriend as a holiday sweet treat with egg nog milk and chocolate chips on top of the marshmallows, he loved it! <3 Found this recipee listed in MTL blog
Hi there. You have wonderfull post. It seems you can read my mind. I love it. Love nutella so much. hope u can make another one with nutella. Thanks friend
You Love Nutella,too!!! Me too,once you take that jar out of the cupboard,it is not easy putting it away,you really have to force yourself,to put it away,at some point you know what I’m saying,if you really love Nutella,you should try Nutella Hot Chocolate,it sounds delicious I’m going to try it today,mmm. Nutella is the Very Very Best Ever!!!!?
My girlfriend loved it!! I made it for her birthday and it was quick to prepare and I added some cinnamon because she loves it!! Thanks for sharing the recipe.!!
I am confused on serving. Size. It says yields 1 serving but ingredients show 4 cups of milk. I looked in comments before posting but did not see anyone else question this. Looking for my granddaughters, grandson to make on their own and need to be precise . Thank you.
Hey, I’m Ali!
My favorite thing in life is time spent around the table. And all the better with some seriously tasty food to bring us all together. more about me »
made this over the christmas break, but added another ingredient, a shot of Baileys goes great with this drink!
Best idea ever. :)
That looks AMAZING!!!!!!!!
So simple, yet so amazing.
You are on a roll with these awesome Nutella recipes!
The top of this is so perfect!
That is genius! Thanks for sharing :)
one of my favorites
Yummy!! Love this!!
I love it. We used to do it when we were younger with my brothers. It started to not left any Nutella in the empty jar. We heated the milk, poured it in the jar and shook it until all the Nutella was dissolved. That’s funny cause I did it the other for my bf that never tasted it ( Nutella hot cocoa). And now he keep asking me to do it over and over again…
I don’t care if it’s 82° here today, I am SO making this!
yeah girl
couldnt you make your own Nutella? you know hazelnuts and coaco and honey?
I have been making this for ages, but I do it to use up the “dregs” of Nutella that get stuck in the jar. I add an extra tablespoon (or more – more Nutella is always better!) of Nutella to the jar, then heat 6-8 oz. of milk in the microwave. I pour the milk into the Nutella jar, put the lid on tightly, and shake it like crazy. Then I pour the “hot chocolate” into a mug and enjoy. It’s easy and delicious, and it cleans the jar out really well so there’s no waste :)
Can we make these and refrigerate them afterward and serve it cold as nutella ICED chocolate? will the nutella sink?
If you have a Trader Joe’s nearby, cookie butter tastes amazing in this too! Thanks for the recipe, this is absolutely my new favorite hot chocolate recipe!
YUMMERDOOS! Another idea to make it more of am adult drink, add some Frangelico ( also hazelnut
Love this! It’s perfect for a windy/cold winter day. I added some mint extract to freshen things up a bit, and it tasted wonderful! Thank you for sharing this recipe to us.
-Em xoxo
Thanks, Emma! We’re glad you liked it!
I made this for my boyfriend as a holiday sweet treat with egg nog milk and chocolate chips on top of the marshmallows, he loved it! <3 Found this recipee listed in MTL blog
We’re so happy you guys enjoyed it Isaline! :)
This is so quick and taste so good. I added a little cinnamon.
Thanks M’kenzi, we’re happy you enjoyed it!
wow… its look yummy……
i’ll try to make it later… :)
We hope you enjoy it, Cara!
Delicious
Hi there. You have wonderfull post. It seems you can read my mind. I love it. Love nutella so much. hope u can make another one with nutella. Thanks friend
You Love Nutella,too!!! Me too,once you take that jar out of the cupboard,it is not easy putting it away,you really have to force yourself,to put it away,at some point you know what I’m saying,if you really love Nutella,you should try Nutella Hot Chocolate,it sounds delicious I’m going to try it today,mmm. Nutella is the Very Very Best Ever!!!!?
is it possible to save this for later?
Yes, you can store this in the fridge and just reheat on the stove whenever you like! Should be good for close to a week we would think.
will give it a try.. thank you for recipe
Double wow. Thanks for sharing this recipe. I will try to make it later :) thanks a lot
This is what I like, I want to make and eat it right away. thank you Madam :-)
OMG, I know the taste should be so delicious from the picture. lol
Yummy. Wanna try today
Really easy and fun to make. Enjoyed making it with my boyfriend. Loved it!!!!!!!!
★★★★★
My girlfriend loved it!! I made it for her birthday and it was quick to prepare and I added some cinnamon because she loves it!! Thanks for sharing the recipe.!!
★★★★
Looks tasty. Love to try it at home. Thanks for sharing =)
★★★★★
I sometimes put half Nutella and half dark chocolate to dissolve.. it has more rich taste ☕
★★★★★
Lol my mother used to make this for me and my siblings back in the 90’s
★★★★★
thank you for the very inspired cooking menu
ADD A SMALL AMOUNT OF CINNAMON TO HOT CHOCOLATE AND ITS AMAZING!!!
Delicious!!
★★★★★
I am confused on serving. Size. It says yields 1 serving but ingredients show 4 cups of milk. I looked in comments before posting but did not see anyone else question this. Looking for my granddaughters, grandson to make on their own and need to be precise . Thank you.