Copycat Starbucks White Hot Chocolate

You can’t go wrong with this copycat recipe for Starbucks white hot chocolate. It’s rich and decadent, just like your favorite Starbucks drink- but even better because it’s made at home with love.

So cozy up by the fire, make a mug of this comforting drink and enjoy all that winter has to offer. And if you’re feeling extra festive, top it off with homemade whipped cream and mini marshmallows.

Forget the pre-packaged powdered hot chocolate. This homemade white hot chocolate will quickly become a new holiday favorite for your family this year. 

If you love this recipe, try our hot chocolate cupcakes and chocolate chip cookie shots for more festive treats. And if you want more white chocolate recipes, try our white chocolate cake and white chocolate ganache. 

Why This Recipe Works

• Quick and easy to make! Just five ingredients. 
  
• White chocolate gives the drink a luxuriously rich buttery flavor. 
  
• Adding sweetened condensed milk will give it the same rich flavor as Starbucks.
  
• When you make your own version of Starbucks white hot chocolate, you don’t get the high fructose corn syrup that gets added at the coffee shop. 

Ingredients Needed 

Here is a list of the ingredients you will need to make our Copycat Starbucks White Hot Chocolate. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details. 

According to the Starbucks website, their white hot chocolate is made with steamed milk and white chocolate mocha sauce. 

• Milk. You can use whole milk, nonfat milk, or your favorite milk alternative. 
• Sweetened condensed milk. This is the main ingredient in Starbucks white chocolate mocha sauce, and it gives the drink an authentic flavor and creamy texture. It also adds enough sweetness that you don’t need extra sugar. 
• Salt. A pinch of salt will balance the flavors.
• White chocolate bar (chopped). Try to find white chocolate with cocoa butter on the ingredient label for the most decadent flavor. 
• Vanilla extract. The vanilla brings out the flavor and richness of white chocolate. 
• Optional garnishes. We like topping this white cocoa drink with whipped cream. Some different toppings include mini marshmallows, homemade marshmallow fluff, dark chocolate curls, crushed candy canes, or sprinkles. 

How to Make It 

Here is a brief overview to give you an idea of what to expect when making our Starbucks copycat recipe. Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all the details.

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Tips for Success

• White chocolate burns easily, so remove the saucepan from the stove before you stir in the chocolate. 
  
• If you want to use a slow cooker, you can warm all the ingredients on low for six hours. Be sure to stir it frequently during the first hour to prevent the white chocolate from getting stuck to the bottom.
  
• Replace one cup of milk with heavy cream if you want an even more decadent white hot chocolate drink.
  
• Purchase high-quality white chocolate (the kind that contains cocoa butter) for the best results.
• You can use vanilla almond bark or white chocolate chips if you’re in a pinch, but we find they can sometimes have a waxy taste. 
  
• If you want to make this in the crock pot, just toss everything in the slow cooker and turn it on low.

Substitutions and Variations

• Make it a peppermint white hot chocolate: Add 1/4 to 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract to the mug. Garnish with mint, crushed peppermint candy, or candy canes. 
  
• Make it a spiked white hot chocolate: Add about 1-ounces of your favorite liquor to the mug. Some ideas are Bailey’s Irish cream, rum, bourbon, Kahlua, or peppermint schnapps. 
  
• Add a splash of raspberry syrup, toasted vanilla syrup, or a drizzle of caramel sauce. 
  
• Non-dairy alternatives include replacing the milk with almond milk or coconut milk (or your favorite milk replacement) and using dairy-free sweetened condensed milk. 

Storage and Reheating

You can store leftovers in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for two months. 

To reheat, zap it in the microwave in 30-second blasts, stirring between bursts until warm. Optionally reheat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat. 

This decadent Copycat Starbucks White Hot Chocolate will warm you up on a cold day and make your holiday season even sweeter! Kick back, relax, and pour yourself a cup of this sweet drink. You deserve it!

Helpful Tools

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• Saucepan
• White chocolate
• Sweetened condensed milk
• Vanilla extract

Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love:

Did I mention ice cream is delicious stirred into this hot chocolate? Try this vanilla lavender ice cream with your cup of hot white cocoa.

Around our house, the holidays are not complete without these cinnamon sugar candied pecans. They are easy to make and guaranteed to make the house smell delicious. 

Serve some cranberry pistachio biscotti or Italian wedding cookies alongside your cup of hot chocolate. Life is complete! 

What could be better than a chocolate cake topped with chocolate buttercream? This chocolate cake is a versatile, everyday cake that will satisfy all your chocolate dessert desires.