What happens when you melt peanut butter?

When you heat the peanut butter in hot chocolate, it melts and becomes a smooth liquid. It is easily whisked into the hot cocoa.

What's the best peanut butter to use?

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.

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate with cocoa powder

A mug of peanut butter hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a chopped peanut butter cup.

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 review

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 dairy-free option with almond milk that we love.

Author: Jamie
Prep Time: 5
Cook Time: 5
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 2 1x
Category: Beverage
Method: Stove
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Units Scale

2 cups milk of choice (dairy and plant-based milks both work great here)
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
2-3 tablespoons peanut butter, more or less to your preference

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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!

Notes

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 or in the microwave. If using the microwave, warm at 30 second increments, stirring in between, until you reach the desired temperature.

See the blog post for step-by-step photos and tips for the best hot chocolate.

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.

Keywords: peanut butter hot chocolate, hot chocolate with cocoa powder, hot chocolate for 2

Find it online: https://vibrantlygfree.com/peanut-butter-hot-chocolate/