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Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

by Laura Fuentes

October 21, 2022
updated Jul 10, 2023
5 from 8 votes
Warm yourself with a mugful of this pumpkin spice hot chocolate. Made with chocolate, fall spice, and real pumpkin puree, it's a drinkable treat you can enjoy from home.
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All the articles & recipes on this website have been created through real-life testing and experience (no ai) since 2010. This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Warm yourself up with a cup of pumpkin spice hot chocolate! Every sip provides rich cocoa flavor with a smooth texture infused with delicious fall spices!

Aside from its decadence, you’ll love how easy it is to make with spices, canned pumpkin, your choice of milk, and chocolate chips… you know you want some.

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

Best-Ever Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Can you get pumpkin hot chocolate at Dunkin Donuts or Starbucks? Yes, but there’s something special about this homemade recipe made with REAL pumpkin and chocolate chips that tops anything the go-to coffee shops can make.

Not only is the pumpkin flavor real, but the consistency of the beverage is smooth and velvety. Plus, it’s a simple fix in your stovetop and takes less than 5 minutes to whip up.

Ingredients for Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

As promised, here’s the short and sweet ingredient list for pumpkin hot chocolate: 

  • Milk: if using regular, whole milk or 2%. If using non-dairy, try oat milk! 
  • Canned pumpkin puree: the real stuff, no canned pumpkin pie mix. 
  • Pumpkin pie spice: essential for the fall spice flavor. You can also use ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, ⅛th teaspoon ground cloves, and ⅛th teaspoon ground ginger.
  • Vanilla extract: works great with the pumpkin and cocoa flavors. 
  • Sugar: minimal amount since this recipe is made with real chocolate. 
  • Chocolate: use semi-sweet chips or bittersweet baking chocolate like Ghirardelli or Guittard. 
  • Whipped cream: one of the best hot chocolate toppings!

Find all ingredient measurements and detailed cooking directions in the recipe card. 

How to Make Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Similar to my classic hot chocolate made with chocolate chips, this recipe incorporates pumpkin puree and spice into the sweet mixture. Here’s what to do: 

  1. Make the base
    Combine the milk, pumpkin puree, spices, and vanilla in a medium saucepan and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. 
  2. Add the chocolate
    Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the sugar and chocolate until both are completely dissolved into the hot liquid. 
  3. Grab a cup! 
    The only thing left to do is to pour everyone a mug and top it with whipped cream or marshmallows. Maybe a sprinkle of cinnamon for good measure.  

If you love treats made with simple and real ingredients, you’ll love this cookbook:

Clean Treats Cookbook

Healthy and wholesome dessert recipes you’ll want to eat made with clean ingredients you already have on hand.
Grab your copy today!

clean treats cookbook standing upright
Get the Book

Can You Use Cocoa Powder Instead?

When using real pumpkin, you want to stick with semi-sweet chocolate chips or high-quality baking chocolate. By melting the chocolate with the pumpkin puree you’ll achieve a smooth texture for the hot cocoa base.

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. 

In the end, melting solid chocolate works better with real pumpkin puree. 

If you’re using pumpkin syrup, like the one you use to flavor coffee, you can use my traditional hot cocoa recipe made with cocoa powder. 

Best Toppings for Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Where do we start? There are so many ways to top a cup of this pumpkin spice-infused recipe, but here are a few hot chocolate topping ideas to get you started: 

  • Homemade Marshmallows
  • Whipped cream
  • Cinnamon
  • Caramel drizzle
  • Chocolate shavings  
large mug of pumpkin hot chocolate topped with whipped cream

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

Laura Fuentes
5 from 8 votes
Warm yourself with a mugful of this pumpkin spice hot chocolate. Made with chocolate, fall spice, and real pumpkin puree, it’s a drinkable treat you can enjoy from home.
Servings: 4
Cook Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins

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
 

  • 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. 
  • Ladle the hot chocolate into mugs and top with whipped cream. 

Equipment

Clean Treats Cookbook
purple yeti mug
Hot cocoa for hours!

Nutrition

Serving: 1 cupCalories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 39gProtein: 10gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 105mgPotassium: 636mgFiber: 3gSugar: 33gVitamin A: 5281IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 351mgIron: 2mg
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