Name: Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate (with Real Pumpkin)
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 4 cups milk; 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree; 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice*; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 tablespoons sugar; 4 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips; Whipped cream (for serving)

Recipe

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Warm yourself with a mugful of this pumpkin spice hot chocolate. Made with chocolate, fall spice, and pumpkin puree, it's a drinkable treat you can enjoy from home.

This Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate recipe is not just velvety and decadent but also easy to make at home in 5 minutes. Keep reading and I’ll show you how!

two hands holding a mug of pumpkin hot chocolate topped with marshmallows and a cinnamon stick

Best-Ever Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Yes, you can get pumpkin spice hot chocolate at Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks, but this homemade recipe made with REAL pumpkin is something special. I simply grabbed my hot cocoa made with chocolate chips and turned it into an irresistible beverage packed with fall flavors.

Not only is the pumpkin flavor real, but the consistency of this hot cocoa is smooth and velvety. Plus, it's a simple fix on your stovetop and takes less than 5 minutes to whip up.

Ingredients

The main ingredients of this drink are whole or 2% regular milk (if using non-dairy, try oat milk) for a creamy texture, canned pumpkin puree (not canned pumpkin pie mix), pumpkin pie spice, and semi-sweet chocolate chips (or bittersweet baking chocolate, like Ghirardelli or Guittard). You’ll also need vanilla extract and a minimal amount of sugar since this recipe is made with real chocolate.

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Pumpkin spice hot chocolate comes together easily in a saucepan. Check the steps:

Combine the milk, pumpkin puree, spices, and vanilla and bring the mixture to a simmer.
Add the chocolate and sugar after removing the saucepan from the heat. Stir until both are completely dissolved into the hot liquid.
Serve this drink with whipped cream, marshmallows, or one of these hot chocolate toppings!

Can You Use Cocoa Powder Instead?

Using cocoa powder and pumpkin puree can lead to clumps, and the last thing you want to do is sit there with a fork trying to break up your mixture. When using real pumpkin, stick with semi-sweet chocolate chips or high-quality baking chocolate to achieve a smooth drink.

mug of pumpkin hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate (with Real Pumpkin)

Servings: 4

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 5

Warm yourself with a mugful of this pumpkin spice hot chocolate. Made with chocolate, fall spice, and pumpkin puree, it's a drinkable treat you can enjoy from home.

5 from 16 votes

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Ingredients

4 cups milk
½ cup canned pumpkin puree
½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice*
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 tablespoons sugar
4 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips
Whipped cream , for serving

Instructions

Make the hot chocolate:

Whisk the milk, pumpkin puree, spices, and vanilla in a large saucepan until smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring consistently.
Remove from heat and add the sugar and chocolate chips. Continue stirring until the chocolate is completely melted.