Hot chocolate has been a comfort drink for centuries, loved for its warm, creamy texture and ability to make winter days special. But what if you added a little nutty, velvety flavor? Add peanut butter hot chocolate – it sounds like an indulgent treat. Rich cocoa combines with creamy peanut butter for a flavor combination that’s pure perfection.
There’s something magical about the combination of peanut butter and chocolate. The creamy nuttiness of peanut butter paired with the rich, decadent taste of chocolate is irresistible. Whether it’s in a candy bar, a cookie, or now a cozy cup of hot chocolate, this duo always delivers a deliciously satisfying experience. This is my husband’s favorite chocolate combo.
I’ll walk you through the very simple recipe below, share fun topping ideas if you want to make it festive, and even share a bit of hot chocolate history – because, believe it or not, this favorite The favorite drink has been around for thousands of years!
Scroll below for some additional suggestions and variations on making peanut butter hot chocolate. Or, if you’re ready to get started, click the “Jump to Recipe” button.
The origin of hot chocolate
The story of hot chocolate begins more than 3,000 years ago in Mesoamerica. The ancient Mayans were the first to consume cacao, making a drink from ground cacao beans, water, and spices such as chili peppers and vanilla. This early version of “chocolate” was far from the sweet treat we know today – it was bitter, frothy, and a divine beverage.
By the 16th century, the Spanish brought cocoa back to Europe, where they added sugar and milk, turning it into a rich, creamy flavor. Over the centuries, hot chocolate has evolved across cultures, eventually becoming the comforting, intoxicating drink we drink on cold or snowy days.
Simple fun, simple recipes
The beauty of peanut butter hot chocolate is its simplicity. With just a few basic ingredients, you can whip up this delightful treat in no time. It also depends on whether you want your peanut butter hot chocolate to be a light treat or a decadent dessert. We’ve listed the ingredients below so you can actually make it yourself. All you need is cocoa, creamy peanut butter, milk, and toppings of your choice—think whipped cream, chocolate syrup, or even a sprinkle of chopped peanuts for extra texture. Here is a list of the ingredients we use to make our peanut butter hot chocolate:
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate Basics Ingredients
Peanut butter is a constant staple in our house, even when we travel. I usually keep a few packets of peanut butter in my carry-on bag for a healthy on-the-go snack, usually with an apple or crackers.
I chose PB2 (a peanut butter powder) because it is more aviation safe than “gelatinous” nut butter. One day, after mixing it with a little water, I started thinking, “I wonder if I could mix this with cocoa to make hot chocolate?” The answer is, YES! It makes a delicious peanut butter hot chocolate! The peanut butter hot chocolate recipe below is easy to make and can be adapted to dairy-free options such as almond milk or coconut milk.
- sugar
- peanut butter powder
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- milk
Recipe options
You can swap out the sugar and cocoa powder for your favorite hot chocolate mix. If you can use sugar-free hot cocoa mix and freshly ground peanut butter, this is a great way to make it sugar-free.
Use a creamy plant-based milk like oat milk, almond milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk to make it dairy-free.
Ingredients
This is where you can get creative. Of course, peanut butter hot chocolate is great on its own. But these ingredients take it to the next level. Make a big batch of peanut butter hot chocolate and set the toppings like hot cocoa bars so your family or guests can add their favorite garnishes.
- whipped cream
- chocolate chips
- crushed peanuts
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy
- mini chocolate chips
- Drizzle with fresh peanut butter
How to Make Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Start by gathering the ingredients you need: cocoa powder, peanut butter powder, sugar, and milk of your choice.
heat milk
Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Be sure not to let it boil – you want it to be hot, but not scalding.
Add dry ingredients
Add the cocoa powder, peanut butter and sugar to the pot, add the warm milk and mix well.
mix it up
Continue stirring until everything is dissolved and the drink is smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust
Want it sweeter? Add a teaspoon of sugar. Prefer the taste of peanut butter? Stir in another tablespoon of peanut butter powder.
Pour and garnish
Pour the hot chocolate into a mug and let your imagination run wild! Top it with a dollop of whipped cream, a drizzle of fresh peanut butter, or a handful of mini peanut butter cups.
The rich, slightly bitter flavor of the cocoa is balanced by the nutty, salty flavor of the peanut butter. Add in a creamy texture and just the right amount of sweetness, and you’ve got a drink that feels luxurious with every sip.
Whether you prefer a mountain of whipped cream or a drizzle of chocolate syrup, you can make your own!
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
yield:
2
Preparation time:
5 minutes
Cooking time:
2 minutes
Total time:
7 minutes
A decadent treat that combines nutty peanut butter with cocoa!
raw material
-
4 tablespoons sugar
-
4 tablespoons peanut butter powder
-
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
-
2 cups milk (or substitute almond, cashew, or coconut milk)
instruct
Start by heating the milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Be sure not to let it boil – you want it to be hot, but not scalding.
Once the milk is hot, add the cocoa and sugar (or hot chocolate mixture) and stir until completely dissolved.
Next, add a tablespoon of peanut butter powder to the mixture. Use a mixer to mix it thoroughly. (If you are using regular peanut butter, stir until the peanut butter is melted and incorporated into the hot chocolate.)
Pour the peanut butter hot chocolate into cups and top with your favorite toppings.
notes
Swap: You can swap out the sugar and cocoa powder for your favorite hot chocolate mix. If you can use sugar-free hot cocoa mix and freshly ground peanut butter, this is a great way to make it sugar-free.
Dairy-free: Use a creamy plant-based milk like oat milk, almond milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk to make it dairy-free.
Optional ingredients: Whipped cream, chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, mini chocolate chips, mini peanut butter cups, drizzle of fresh peanut butter.
Nutritional information:
yield: 2
Serving size: 1
Amount per serving:
Calories: 303Total fat: 7 gramsSaturated fat: 3 gramsTrans fats: 0 gramsUnsaturated fat: 2 gramscholesterol: 20 mgsodium: 218 mgcarbohydrate: 45gfiber: 2 gramssugar: 27 gramsprotein: 16 grams
Nutritional information provides estimates only.
This is not a sponsored post. A girl in my running group introduced me to PB2 and I love it!
