Categorized:

  • Christmas
  • Desserts
  • Drinks
  • Fall Faves

Tagged:

  • cornstarch
  • milk
  • vanilla beans
  • white chocolate chips
Three mugs of white hot chocolate on a wooden tray with Christmas lights in the background. - 1

White Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

  • 4 cups whole milk, divided
  • 1 vanilla bean*
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 4 tsp cornstarch
  • 1 cup (6 oz) white chocolate chips or 6 oz white chocolate baking bars, finely chopped

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan heat 3 1/2 cups milk, seeds of vanilla bean and the vanilla bean pod and pinch of salt over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.
  • Meanwhile whisk together remaining 1/2 cup milk and the cornstarch until well blended.
  • Once milk mixture just simmers add the cornstarch mixture and let simmer 1 minute whisking constantly until lightly thickened (if needed reduce burner temperature if milk is bubbling up vigorously, you just want a light simmer).
  • Remove from heat. Immediately add white chocolate chips and whisk to melt. Remove vanilla bean pod.
  • Let cool slightly then serve with desired toppings (see notes).

Notes

  • *You can use vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste in place of the vanilla bean (use 2 tsp)
  • Delicious toppings include sweetened whipped cream, marshmallows, candy canes for swirling, shaved white chocolate, cinnamon, fresh grated nutmeg, or salted caramel.
  • Note that toppings are not included in nutrition estimate.

Copyright 2026 Cooking Classy