This rich and creamy Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate with cocoa powder tastes just like a decadent Reese's cup dessert! With only 5 ingredients and two steps, anyone can make this recipe in no time. It's a fun variation from traditional hot chocolate and a great way to impress your friends or surprise your kids!
We also tested a dairy-free option with almond milk that we love.
This is one of my favorite recipes to share with my nephews and friends after a fun day playing outside in the snow or after a winter hike. It's super warm, cozy, comforting, and tastes extra special but without the effort.
If you're looking for the easiest hot chocolate ever, be sure to also check out my Microwave Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Chips!
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Why this recipe works
When heated, creamy peanut butter melts right into the hot chocolate! Cocoa powder, sugar, a little vanilla for smoothness and a pinch of salt creates a simple and rich hot chocolate base that combines perfectly with peanut butter.
Ingredients Notes
You can't beat a 5 ingredient treat that's ready in under 10 minutes! Here's what you need:
- milk of choice
- cocoa powder
- sugar
- vanilla extract
- peanut butter
- salt
See the recipe card for quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Only two easy steps stand between you and the perfect peanut butter hot chocolate:
Make the hot chocolate: Add milk to a small saucepan on medium heat. Once the milk starts to steam, add cocoa powder, and sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk until smooth and well incorporated.
Peanut Butter: Add peanut butter and whisk until smooth.
Add toppings and serve: Serve hot with marshmallows or whipped cream if you like!
Texture Tip: If you like your hot chocolate a little thicker, stirring in 2 teaspoons of corn or potato starch mixed in just a little cold water at the end makes for a super luscious treat!
BEST Toppings
While you can't go wrong with marshmallows in this peanut butter hot chocolate, here are a few more topping options to treat yourself or your friends:
- Marshmallow fluff - Add a dollop of fluff, sprinkle on some cocoa powder, and top with a mini peanut butter cup.
- Whipped Cream - Add whipped cream, a sprinkle of cocoa powder, and some peanut butter chips or a mini peanut butter cup.
- Peanut Butter Drizzle - After adding your marshmallow fluff and whipped cream, drizzle on some creamy peanut butter. This is best done with a natural peanut butter that is less thick or a peanut butter sauce meant for ice cream.
Dietary Substitutions
The following substitutions will make this recipe safe for most everyone and still taste delicious!
- Peanut-Free - Sunflower seed butter is an excellent substitute for peanut butter. Swap it in the same quantity for a creamy drink that tastes like a sunflower seed butter cup.
- Vegan and Dairy-Free - Swap in your favorite dairy-free and plant-based milk. For this recipe, almond milk is my favorite choice.
- Gluten-Free - Make sure all your ingredients are gluten-free. Many peanut butters have a gluten-free label (I used Justin's brand). Hershey's 100% cocoa powder and special dark cocoa powder are both gluten-free.
Fun Variations
Here are a few fun ways to mix up the standard version of this recipe:
- Almond or other Nut Butter - Try this recipe with another nut butter of your choice! It will taste like the liquid version of your favorite chocolate covered nut.
- Nutella - Swap peanut butter for Nutella and get a super rich chocolate hazelnut drink!
And if you're a hot chocolate fanatic looking to try variations from around the world, you won't want to miss my Thick Italian Hot Chocolate recipe!
Equipment
All you need are a few pieces of standard kitchen equipment that you most likely have on hand already.
- a small pot
- measuring spoons
- liquid measuring cup
- whisk
Storage
Allow any leftovers to cool to room temperature before storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheat on the stove at low heat until steaming while stirring frequently to prevent burning. Or to use the microwave, warm at 30 second increments, stirring in between, until you reach the desired temperature.
Tips for the best hot chocolate
Use a whisk. While not entirely necessary, you'll find that a whisk incorporates the cocoa powder and peanut butter into the mixture much more easily than a spoon.
Good Ingredients = Great Hot Chocolate. A nice cocoa powder and natural peanut butter will give you a luxury peanut butter hot chocolate. But don't underestimate the Hershey's + JIF combo that will taste just like a Reese's peanut butter cup!
FAQ
When you heat the peanut butter in hot chocolate, it melts and becomes a smooth liquid. It is easily whisked into the hot cocoa.
Definitely use a creamy peanut butter so it easily melts into a smooth drinking liquid. I prefer a natural, unsweetened creamy peanut butter so I can control the sweetness by adding sugar a little bit at a time.
However, I've tried creamy JIF and Skippy and both have that lovely "childhood favorite" nostalgia to them! You may want to scale back the sugar and add in increments if using a sweetened peanut butter.
📖 Recipe
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate with cocoa powder
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk of choice, dairy and plant-based milks both work great here
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
- 2-3 tablespoons peanut butter , more or less to your preference
Instructions
- Add milk to a small saucepan on medium heat. Once the milk starts to steam, add cocoa powder, and sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk until smooth and well incorporated.
- Add peanut butter and whisk until smooth. Serve hot with marshmallows or whipped cream if you like!
Millie says
It really does taste like a Reeses peanut butter cup! I never thought of adding peanut butter to a hot chocolate recipe. I will definitely be making this again!
Jamie says
Thank you so much for the review Millie!