Our decadent Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate will warm your body and give you a quiet moment to reflect on your Autumn Bucket List! And, this yummy hot cocoa makes a delicious addition to your Fall entertaining menu!
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Is there anything more quintessentially Fall than pumpkin spice? My children adore all things chocolate and as soon as the weather begins to cool, they're asking for hot cocoa. This Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate is rich and decadent, and smells absolutely divine!
Making pumpkin spice hot chocolate at home could not be any easier, and it’s the perfect cozy treat to enjoy during this time of year. It takes just a few minutes and you have a new way to enjoy all things pumpkin right into a cup!
Made with quality chocolate and pumpkin puree, this is the best way to enjoy a pumpkin this fall season - and it's way cheaper than a classic pumpkin spice latte at your local coffee shop. 😊
🧂 Ingredients
This is meant to be a brief overview of the pumpkin hot chocolate recipe. For step-by-step instructions and a full printable recipe card with ingredients, please scroll down to the teal box below.
- half and half or whole milk
- cinnamon sticks
- whole cloves
- whole allspice berries
- canned pure pumpkin, or Homemade Pumpkin Puree
- ground cinnamon
- ground nutmeg
- ground ginger
- light brown sugar
- semi-sweet chocolate chips
- whipped cream for topping
- whole cinnamon stick, for garnish, optional
🔪Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the half and half, whole cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, and whole allspice berries.
- Allow the milk to warm and the spices to steep.
- Add the pumpkin puree and cook 1-2 minutes more.
- Using a fine mesh strainer, remove the whole spices from the creamy pumpkin mixture.
- Add the ground spices and brown sugar to the mixture, along with the chocolate. Whisk to combine until smooth and creamy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Serve hot with whipped cream.
Equipment
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- Small Saucepan
- Fine Mesh Strainer
- Whisk
- Measuring Spoons
- Liquid Measuring Cup
- Dry Measuring Cups
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⭐ Tips
Be sure to use real pumpkin puree (homemade or canned). The pumpkin pie filling is not the same as actual pumpkin puree.
🍴 Serving Suggestions
To the top of the creamy hot chocolate, I like to add a little whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. You could also add a cinnamon stick, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, or even pumpkin spice sprinkles.
This cozy drink will make you want to curl up with a good book and a slice of pumpkin bread or a pumpkin muffin!
Serve your Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate with our Pumpkin Cream Cheese Cake Truffles, or send guests home with these delicious little treats!
For parties and holiday get-togethers you can double this homemade hot chocolate recipe. Place your big batch of hot chocolate into a slow cooker to stay warm.
📖 Variations
We recommend that you try our easy pumpkin spice hot cocoa for the first time just as it is written for the best results, because that is how the recipe has been tested.
However, the next time you make it, you might consider one of these different ways of making this great recipe.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to the hot cocoa after you remove it from the heat.
- If you have pumpkin pie spice, you can use that in place of the individual ground spices.
- Substitute almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk for the milk or half and half.
- For an extra creamy pumpkin spice cocoa, use heavy cream instead of milk.
- Substitute white chocolate chips to make white chocolate pumpkin cocoa. Alternatively, you can also use dark chocolate chips.
Storage
Leftover hot chocolate should be stored in the fridge in an airtight container. It will last 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave.
😋 Similar Recipes
You have to take a minute and check out my Hot Chocolate Bomb Recipe if you love hot cocoa! And if you like that, be sure to try our White Chocolate Hot Cocoa Bombs or Caramel Hot Cocoa Bomb Recipe.
Next time, you might enjoy one of these other hot cocoa recipes:
🧡 Related: Hot Cocoa Charcuterie Board
If you love pumpkin, you'll want to check out these other delicious recipes:
- No Bake Pumpkin Cheesecake Cups
- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bars
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing
- Pumpkin Pie Smoothie
- Butterscotch Pumpkin Cookies
- OREO Pumpkin Cheesecake Parfait
- Pumpkin Spice French Toast Bake
Be sure to also check out this collection of Delicious Pumpkin Recipes!
Not ready to make this delicious spiced hot cocoa yet?
Don’t forget to pin this easy recipe for later! When you do make it, please be sure to tag me on Instagram @jugglingactmama or #jugglingactmama – I’d love to see your pictures! And finally, if you get a chance, please comment and leave me a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below!
Creamy Pumpkin Hot Cocoa
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Equipment
- Small Saucepan
- Fine Mesh Strainer
Ingredients
- 2 cups Half and Half
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- ½ teaspoon whole allspice berries
- ½ cup pumpkin puree
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- dash ground ginger
- 2 tablespoon light brown sugar
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
- whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, combine the half and half, whole cinnamon sticks, whole cloves and whole allspice berries.2 cups Half and Half, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon whole cloves, ½ teaspoon whole allspice berries
- Allow the milk to warm and the spices to steep.
- Add the pumpkin puree and cook 1-2 minutes more.½ cup pumpkin puree
- Using a fine mesh strainer, remove the whole spices from the creamy pumpkin mixture.
- Add the ground spices and brown sugar to the mixture, along with the chocolate. Whisk to combine until smooth and creamy, about 5-7 minutes.1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, dash ground ginger, 2 tablespoon light brown sugar, ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
- Serve hot with whipped cream, if desired.whipped cream for topping
For best results, be sure to check our Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help your delicious recipe come out perfectly.
Penny Sullivan says
This looks so yummy!
Emily says
This looks delicious. Perfect for cool fall evenings! [client]
Amy Anderson says
I'll take anything pumpkin. And hot cocoa is right up there!
Jennifer says
Could I make this and keep it warm in a slow cooker?
Ang Paris says
Yes! That's a fantastic idea for a party. Just keep your slow cooker on low so you don't scorch the cocoa.
Sue Delmoth says
Yum!
Willow says
I made a boozy version of this for girls night over the weekend and everyone loved it!!
Ang Paris says
Ooohhh I love that idea!