Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate is a delicious fall treat with real pumpkin puree and notes of vanilla and pumpkin spices – keep it on warm in a slow cooker for a party! Perfect for sipping on a chilly evening!

I can never get enough hot chocolate on those brisk Fall days. If I’m not drinking this Pumpkin Hot Chocolate, I’m sipping on a boozy Butterscotch Schnapps Spiked Hot Chocolate or my favorite Red Velvet Hot Chocolate

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pumpkin spice hot chocolate in a glass mug

Why We Love Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

I’m a sucker for the Pumpkin Spice Lattes, so I thought how about a Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate?! It’s is a rich, creamy hot drink that does not include coffee, so it’s the perfect treat for non-coffee drinkers and children!

The combination of pumpkin and rich white chocolate makes for an indulgent sip for fall, especially for pumpkin lovers like me. If pumpkin pie could taste like a drink, this would be the one.

Move over pumpkin spice latte, this Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate is perfect to sip on Halloween night, awaiting the onslaught of trick-or-treaters.  It would also be perfect at Thanksgiving or just any cold night snuggled up by the fire!

2 glass mugs of pumpkin spice hot chocolate with whipped cream

Why You’ll Love Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

Making Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate at home couldn’t be easier.

  • Made with real pumpkin puree
  • Ready in less than 10 minutes 
  • Just one pot on the stove and a whisk
  • Ideal for sipping in front of a cozy fire.

2 glass mugs of pumpkin spice hot chocolate

Ingredients For Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

(full printable recipe at the end of this post)

For this delicious hot chocolate recipe, you only need 7 ingredients. Get out that shopping list and jot them down. 

  • Whole milk: Whole milk works best in chocolate milk, but you can use 2% as well. 
  • Pumpkin puree: Be sure to get a can of pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie mix.
  • Pumpkin spices: To give your hot chocolate pumpkin flavoring, you’ll need ground cloves and pumpkin pie spice
  • Vanilla: This will add a subtle hint of vanilla while also enhancing other flavors in the hot chocolate.
  • White chocolate: For best results, use a high-quality chocolate baking bar. 
  • Sea salt: Sea salt helps to balance out the sugars and enhance the flavors. 
  • Whipped Cream: It’s an optional topping but highly recommended. If you want to go homemade, Cinnamon Whipped Cream is fabulous!

photo collage of how to make pumpkin hot chocolate

How to Make Pumpkin Hot Chocolate On The Stove

This recipe can be made in a saucepan or in a slow cooker if you want a larger batch. For a smaller batch, follow the steps below:

Simmer: In a small saucepan, heat the milk, pumpkin puree, and spices just until simmering. 

Add Chocolate:  Next, remove the pan from the heat and add the roughly chopped chocolate. Stir or whisk until fully melted.

Add Toppings: Pour the pumpkin hot chocolate into mugs. Top each mug with a generous mound of whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and sprinkle with pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon. 

Serve and Enjoy!

pumpkin hot chocolate in a glass mug with a spoon

How to Make Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate in the Crockpot

Want to make a large batch of pumpkin hot chocolate for a party?  Make it in a slow cooker so that you can keep it nice and hot throughout the party. Simply multiply all the ingredients in the recipe at the end of the post x4 for 8 servings and follow these steps below to make crockpot pumpkin hot chocolate:

  • Put milk, pumpkin puree, spices, and extract into your slow cooker. Whisk all the ingredients together and add finely chopped white chocolate. 
  • Set the slow cooker on low for 2 hours or until chocolate is fully melted and the mixture reaches your desired temperature.
  • Set out mugs, marshmallows, whipped cream, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and chocolate shavings for toppings. 

Serve and Enjoy!

pumpkin spice hot chocolate in 2 mugs with whipped cream

Recipe FAQs

Do I have to use whole milk?

Whole milk will make your hot chocolate the creamiest and sweetest it can be. However, you can use any milk that you want including 2%, 1%, skim, oat milk, soy milk, and almond milk. 

Can I make my own pumpkin pie spice?

Absolutely! Pumpkin pie spice is just a combination of other spices including cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice. You make your own with my Homemade Pumpkin Pie Spice recipe

Can I make spiked pumpkin spice hot chocolate?

You can easily spike hot chocolate for an adult-only party by adding cinnamon schnapps. Vodka fan? Try a flavored vodka, like caramel vodka, vanilla vodka. Your favorite bourbon or rum would also be delicious. You do you!

Do I have to use white chocolate?

We love how well white chocolate pairs with the pumpkin, but you can certainly make this hot chocolate with bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate if you prefer.

2 mugs of pumpkin spice hot chocolate  

Pro Tips For The Best Hot Chocolate 

Stir constantly: Milk can burn easily, so make sure that you stir your milk, puree, and spices consistently while it’s cooking. 

Use low to medium heat. Don’t rush it, always simmer, if you boil milk too hard or too fast it will scorch and burn.

For a richer hot chocolate replace 1/4 of a cup of the milk with cream.

Store leftover hot chocolate in the fridge: Just be sure to allow leftover pumpkin hot chocolate to cool completely, before transferring to an airtight container and stored in the fridge for 3-5 days. 

To reheat: simply transfer the hot chocolate to a microwave-safe mug and microwave until the desired temperature, or transfer to a saucepan and reheat on the stove until the desired temperature is reached.

Like This Pumpkin Hot Chocolate Recipe? Pin It!

I hope your family enjoys this pumpkin spice white hot chocolate as much we do!

pinterest-image

pumpkin hot chocolate in a glass mug with whipped cream

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Originally posted in October 2011. UPDATED October 2021. We spiffed up this post with more info and better pictures! No changes to the original recipe.

pumpkin spice hot chocolate in a glass mug

Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate

Yield: 2 servings
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

A delicious fall treat with real pumpkin puree and notes of vanilla and pumpkin spices – keep it on warm in a slow cooker for a party!

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • pinch of ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • pinch sea salt
  • 2 ounces white chocolate (roughly chopped)
  • whipped cream (optional)

Instructions

  1. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, pumpkin, spices and vanilla. Cook stirring constantly until just simmering.
  2. Remove from heat and add chocolate ( reserve some chocolate for garnish) and stir or whisk until melted.
  3. Just before serving, top each mug with a generous mound of whipped cream, a few shavings of white chocolate, and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon.
  4. Serve immediately.

Notes

To make a larger batch (8-10 servings) in a slow cooker:

  • Add 6 cups of milk, 2 cups canned pumpkin puree, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to a slow cooker. Use a whisk to combine as fully as possible. Add 8 ounces of finely chopped white chocolate (or you could use white chocolate chips).
  • Set the slow cooker on low for 2 hours or until chocolate is fully melted and the mixture reaches your desired temperature.
  • Set out mugs, marshmallows, whipped cream, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and chocolate shavings for toppings. 
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 298Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 174mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 2gSugar: 28gProtein: 8g

Nutrition information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin, and freshness of ingredients used.

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pumpkin spice hot chocolate in a glass mug with whipped cream