This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy.
This dreamy, creamy Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate recipe turns your favorite peanut butter cup into a super sippable warm drink! Enjoy mugs of rich hot chocolate and peanut butter throughout the winter and beyond.
Delicious Details
- Cuisine Inspiration: American
- Primary Cooking Method: Stovetop
- Dietary Info: Gluten-free, Dairy-free option
- Skill Level: Easy
Why You’ll Love Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Nothing goes better together than chocolate and peanut butter, and that’s why you’ll obsess over this peanut butter hot chocolate recipe! Like my Mexican hot chocolate recipe, you’ll find that it’s beyond easy to add loads of flavor to a simple cup of hot chocolate. One sip and you’ll be hooked – it’s like drinking a melted Reese’s peanut butter cup!
- Gluten-free. All of the ingredients needed to make hot chocolate and peanut butter are naturally gluten free, including the peanut butter cups! (See Are Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Gluten Free? for more information.)
- Not your basic mug of hot chocolate. It’s no secret that I love the pairing of peanut butter and chocolate – my peanut butter rice krispie treats are a favorite treat – and this peanut butter hot chocolate at the top of my cozy drinks list.
- Nearly effortless. Hot chocolate is incredibly easy to make. And when you make peanut butter hot chocolate it’s just as simple as making a regular batch of hot chocolate – you’ll just heat, whisk, and enjoy!
What You’ll Need
I’ve included the ingredients you’ll need for peanut butter hot chocolate below, with some notes. Check the recipe card at the end of this post for the full ingredient amounts.
- Milk: I like whole milk for richness, but 2% milk also works. You can also use dairy-free milk – I’ve included my favorite dairy-free suggestion in the “tips” section lower down.
- Peanut Butter: Creamy peanut butter is best so that it fully melts into the hot chocolate. See my post on Is Peanut Butter Gluten Free? to help you choose the best gluten-free peanut butter.
- Milk Chocolate Chips: You can substitute these for semisweet chocolate chips if you prefer a darker, less sweet chocolate note.
- Granulated Sugar: Swap the sugar for maple syrup or honey if you wish to use natural sweetener.
- Cocoa Powder: I used unsweetened cocoa powder but if you like it a little sweeter, you can use sweetened cocoa powder.
- Topping Options: Whipped cream, peanut butter sauce, Reese’s peanut butter cups.
How to Make Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
See my photos below to give you an idea of how you’ll easily make hot chocolate and peanut butter. Find the detailed instructions in the recipe card lower down.
- Heat the milk. Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium heat then add the remaining ingredients.
- Whisk. Stir and whisk the mixture until it’s smooth.
- Serve! Pour the hot chocolate into mugs.
- Garnish. Top each glass with whipped cream, melted peanut butter, and chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Tips for the Creamiest Hot Chocolate
- Use regular creamy peanut butter. Always use creamy peanut butter when you make peanut butter hot chocolate! Chunky peanut butter will leave chunks of peanuts – not good when you want a smooth and rich drink. Natural peanut butter unfortunately doesn’t melt as well as conventional peanut butter, so I would avoid it as well.
- Make it dairy-free. You can use any non-dairy milk you like in this recipe, but I recommend using oat milk in place of whole milk because it’s a very creamy non-dairy milk that doesn’t add a strong flavor. And, it’s gluten free! (Check my post on Is Oat Milk Gluten Free? for extra tips.) Replace the milk chocolate chips with non-dairy chocolate chips and use non-dairy whipped cream as a topping.
- Make homemade whipped cream. Yes, you can use a store-bought can of whipped cream, but making it from scratch is easy and tastes so much better! To make homemade whipped cream, use a hand mixer to whip 1 cup of heavy cream with 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar and 1⁄2 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form.
- To make the peanut butter sauce: Place the peanut butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in 10-second intervals, stirring each time, until it’s fully melted. Make sure you are using regular creamy peanut butter for the best results.
Can I Save Extras For Later?
Yes, you can keep leftover peanut butter hot chocolate minus any toppings to enjoy another time. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat on the stove over low heat or in the microwave in 1-minute intervals until hot.
Serving Suggestions
- Toppings: Along with the whipped cream, you could add a drizzle of easy hot fudge sauce or caramel sauce, a dusting of cinnamon, mini chocolate chips or mini m&ms, or a sprinkle of chopped roasted peanuts.
- Cookies. Drink cups of peanut butter hot chocolate with all kinds of cookies! Some of my holiday favorites include gluten free snowball cookies and peppermint meringues. And gluten free sugar cookies and gluten free shortbread cookies are always welcome.
- Brownies. Pair hot chocolate with brownies! My fudgy peanut butter brownies carry out this flavor pairing or try a simple batch of gluten free brownies.
- Other festive treats. Other holiday sweets that are nice with hot chocolate include rocky road fudge and peanut butter pie, or nibble on a bowl of spiced candied nuts.
More Chocolate Peanut Butter Recipes
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
This dreamy, creamy Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate recipe turns your favorite peanut butter cup into the best warm drink! Wonderful for the winter and beyond.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole milk
- ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
- ¼ cup milk chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
Optional Toppings
- Whipped cream
- Peanut butter , melted slightly in the microwave
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups , chopped
Instructions
- Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it just barely comes to a slight simmer at the edges and gives off a little steam, indicating that it is hot.
- Add the peanut butter, milk chocolate chips, granulated sugar, and cocoa powder and whisk until smooth.
- Pour into mugs and enjoy with whipped cream, melted peanut butter, and chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups on top, if desired.
Nutrition Facts
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Amount Per Serving (1 drink)
Calories 288
Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 7g35%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 5g
Cholesterol 22mg7%
Sodium 139mg6%
Potassium 417mg12%
Carbohydrates 26g9%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 23g26%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 296IU6%
Calcium 243mg24%
Iron 0.5mg3%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimers: Please discuss your individual dietary needs (i.e. gluten free) with a physician. Even when not specified, be sure to verify all ingredients are gluten free, if needed, by reading labels on all packaging and/or confirming with the manufacturer this varies by brand and can change at any time. Nutrition information shown is an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate.
Did you make this?
Leave a rating below and tag @cupcakesandkalechips on Instagram and hashtag it #cupcakesandkalechips
