Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

First instruction that is absolutely mandatory in order for us to continue with this conversation: go to your kitchen pantry, grab all those little Swiss Miss instant hot chocolate packets, and throw them away or put them in a box to donate. STAT. GO DO IT.

Okay, now that that’s all worked out, say hello to this delicious homemade hot chocolate that is baaaaaasically just as easy as throwing that little packet in a mug of warm milk and ten times a million times more delicious! I’m telling you guys, stuff made from scratch is almost always better, and that definitely rings true with homemade hot chocolate.

AND – bonus – this hot chocolate is extra special because it’s pumpkin spice flavored, and anything pumpkin spice flavored is a win in my book. It’s a mash up between a pumpkin spice latte, or “PSL” to us extra basic peeps over here, and a regular, traditional mug of hot cocoa!

I’m super extra down for a steaming mug of this today because it is the chilliest day we’ve had here in Kansas so far this season! It’s about 50 degrees outside right now, which isn’t too cold, but definitely sweater weather, and DEFINITELY pumpkin spice hot cocoa weather!

This two serving recipe comes together in no time and only takes a handful of ingredients to make:

• Cocoa powder
• Sugar
• Pumpkin pie spice
• Milk
• Vanilla

All you do here is mix the cocoa powder, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and some water in a small pot, let it heat together and melt into a chocolate “syrup,” and then add your milk! Bring it to an almost simmer, and you DONE, gurl. Get sippin’.

Speaking of pumpkin pie spice…we kicked off fall just a few weeks ago with about half a bottle left from last season. Since then I have polished off that half bottle PLUS an entire other new bottle that I only bought like a week and a half ago. Like…if that doesn’t make a statement about my kitchen activities in the past month, I don’t know what does. I ended up totally running out and just making my own blend a few days ago so I could finish the recipe I was working on.

Homemade works one hundred percent just as well, but I love the little pre-made blends – takes an extra step out of whatever you’re making!

So guess what super fun thing happened yesterday? I was on a podcast with Dishing with Delishes!

Elaine, creator of the food blog Dishes Delish and the podcast Dishing with Delishes, featured me on one of her podcasts that discusses bloggy things with various bloggers across the internet, and she asked me in September if I would be willing to be one of her guests! So I did that a few weeks ago, and it was great!

It was super fun to discuss all the blog things and reminisce on the early days. I was definitely honored to be a part of it, and I had so much fun listening to the episode yesterday when she released it on her website! If you want to hear it, click here and listen to us chat for about 25 minutes 🙂.

Preferably while sipping a mug of this pumpkin spice hot cocoa!

I hope you all have the absolute BEST weekend ever! (It’s a four day weekend for us, so technically today is our “Friday” – woop!).

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

• Author: Annie Chesson
• Cook Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 2 1/2 cups milk (we used whole, but you can use anything!)
• 1 pinch salt
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

1. In a small pot, add the cocoa powder, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, water, and salt, and turn the stove on medium heat
2. Let this heat up, whisking often, until everything has melted together and combined into a “syrup”
3. Add your milk, whisk to combine, and heat until it is almost simmering
4. Stir in your vanilla and serve!

Notes

Sometimes when I make this, if I’m feeling extra non-lazy, I will run the final hot cocoa through a fine mesh sieve before serving to filter out any of spices that settle at the bottom. Totally optional!

Nutrition

• Serving Size: Half the hot cocoa (about 1 1/4 cups)
• Calories: 305
• Sugar: 40 g
• Sodium: 130 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg

If you make this or any of my other recipes, be sure to Instagram it and hashtag #thegarlicdiaries!

In the mood for more hot drink recipes? Check these out:

Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte

Single Serving Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Ultimate 5 Minute Homemade Hot Chocolate