Nutella Hot Chocolate Recipe: A Creamy Holiday Hug in a Mug
Because ordinary cocoa is so last season—Nutella makes everything better
Few things say holiday cheer better than wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of chocolatey goodness. But why settle for ordinary hot cocoa when you can swirl in spoonfuls of Nutella and turn it into a creamy, dreamy indulgence? This Nutella Hot Chocolate recipe transforms the classic winter favorite into a velvety sip that will have you saying, “More please!” Whether you’re cozying up by the fire, hosting a holiday gathering, or gifting a mug of joy, this recipe hits all the sweet spots.
If you love cozy beverages, don’t miss my roundup of Hot Chocolate Recipes to Try This Winter. And for the ultimate pairing, check out my Holiday Cookie Recipes—because cookies and cocoa are basically soulmates.
Why You’ll Love This Nutella Hot Chocolate
- Super Easy: Only a handful of ingredients, ready in under 10 minutes.
- Ultra Creamy: Nutella melts perfectly into warm milk for a smooth, velvety sip.
- Customizable: Top with whipped cream, marshmallows, or a Nutella drizzle.
- Perfectly Cozy: Ideal for chilly evenings, holiday gatherings, or self-care moments.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- 4 tablespoons (60 g) Nutella
- Optional toppings: whipped cream, marshmallows, extra Nutella
How to Make Nutella Hot Chocolate
- In a medium saucepan, gently heat the milk over low to medium heat. Stir continuously until warm, about 5–7 minutes, ensuring it doesn’t boil.
- Stir in the Nutella until fully incorporated, creating a rich, smooth chocolate mixture.
- Whisk thoroughly to ensure there are no lumps and the hot chocolate achieves a creamy consistency.
- Pour the Nutella Hot Chocolate into your favorite mug for serving.
- Top with optional whipped cream, marshmallows, or an extra drizzle of Nutella for indulgence.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the comforting warmth of your homemade beverage.
Expert Tips for the Best Nutella Hot Chocolate
- Use a whisk for the smoothest results and prevent Nutella from clumping.
- Adjust the Nutella to your preferred sweetness level.
- Enhance flavor with a dash of cinnamon or a drop of vanilla extract.
- Heat milk slowly to avoid scorching and maintain creaminess.
- Experiment with toppings like chocolate shavings or crushed hazelnuts for a gourmet twist.
Variations & Creative Twists
- Dairy-Free: Swap milk for almond, oat, or soy milk.
- Spiced Up: Add a pinch of cayenne or pumpkin spice for warmth.
- Mocha Magic: Stir in a teaspoon of instant coffee for a hazelnut mocha.
- Frozen Treat: Chill and blend with ice for a Nutella hot chocolate frappé.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve in festive mugs for holiday gatherings.
- Pair with cookies, biscotti, or cinnamon rolls.
- Drizzle Nutella over whipped cream for a decadent look.
- Offer mini marshmallows on the side for dipping fun.
FAQs
Q1: What type of milk works best? A1: Whole, skim, almond, or soy milk are all suitable. Each gives a slightly different creaminess.
Q2: Can I adjust sweetness? A2: Yes! Start with 4 tablespoons of Nutella and adjust to taste.
Q3: Can I make a bigger batch? A3: Absolutely! Maintain the milk-to-Nutella ratio for larger gatherings.
Q4: How do I store leftovers? A4: Store in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheat gently on the stove or microwave.
More Recipe Ideas
- Sweet pairings: Holiday Cookie Recipes
- DIY toppings: Whipped Cream Tips & Tricks
- Check out our Hot Cocoa Bar options
Final Thoughts
This Nutella Hot Chocolate recipe is a celebration in a cup—easy, creamy, and infinitely customizable. Whether you’re treating yourself or sharing with loved ones, it’s the ultimate way to warm hearts and hands during the holiday season. The best part? You can experiment endlessly: add your favorite toppings, tweak the sweetness, or try a creative variation. Cozy moments are just a mug away, and with Nutella in the mix, every sip feels like a holiday hug.
Nutella Hot Chocolate: A Creamy Holiday Hug in a Mug
This Nutella Hot Chocolate recipe transforms the classic winter favorite into a velvety, dreamy indulgence. Only a few ingredients are needed to create a rich, creamy drink topped with whipped cream, marshmallows, or an extra Nutella drizzle. Perfect for cozy nights, holiday gatherings, or gifting a mug of joy. Don’t miss pairing it with Holiday Cookie Recipes or trying other cozy Hot Chocolate Recipes to Try This Winter
Ingredients
- 2 cups (480 ml) milk
- 4 tablespoons (60 g) Nutella
Optional toppings:
- whipped cream
- marshmallows
- extra Nutella
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, gently heat the milk over low to medium heat, stirring constantly until warm but not boiling, about 5–7 minutes.
- Stir in the Nutella until fully blended, forming a smooth, creamy chocolate mixture.
- Whisk thoroughly to remove any lumps and ensure velvety consistency.
- Pour the hot chocolate into your favorite mug.
- Top with optional whipped cream, marshmallows, or a Nutella drizzle.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the comforting warmth.
Notes
Expert Tips:
- Use a whisk for smooth results and to prevent Nutella from clumping.
- Adjust the Nutella to taste for your preferred sweetness level.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or a drop of vanilla extract for extra flavor.
- Heat milk gently over low heat to avoid scorching.
- Try toppings like chocolate shavings or crushed hazelnuts for a gourmet twist.
Variations:
- Dairy-Free: Use almond, oat, or soy milk.
- Spiced Up: Add cayenne or pumpkin spice for warmth.
- Mocha Magic: Stir in a teaspoon of instant coffee for a hazelnut mocha.
- Frozen Treat: Chill and blend with ice for a Nutella frappé.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve in festive mugs for holiday gatherings.
- Pair with Holiday Cookie Recipes, biscotti, or cinnamon rolls.
- Drizzle Nutella over whipped cream for a decadent touch.
- Offer mini marshmallows for dipping.
FAQs:
- What type of milk works best? Whole, skim, almond, or soy milk—all give slightly different creaminess.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes! Start with 4 tablespoons of Nutella and adjust to taste.
- Can I make a larger batch? Absolutely. Keep the milk-to-Nutella ratio consistent.
- How do I store leftovers? Refrigerate up to 2 days and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
This recipe was originally published November 8, 2023, and updated November 21, 2025, with improved instructions, updates, and new photos.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
2Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 302Total Fat: 19gSaturated Fat: 4gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 272mgCarbohydrates: 18gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 15g
The Nutritional Information may not be accurate. This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
This recipe was originally published November 8, 2025, and updated November 21, 2025, with improved instructions, updates, and new photos.