Easy White Chocolate Mocha – The Recipe Rebel

This Easy White Chocolate Mocha is just as good as the coffee shop but you don’t have to leave the house! Optional shortcuts and healthier swaps. Who needs Starbucks?

white chocolate mocha with whipped cream

Since my husband operates a seasonal business and is now home for the winters (December through June), we started having coffee break every afternoon once our oldest gets home from school.

It is one of our favorite times of the day, and now that we’ve made it a routine the kids have come to expect their tea or hot chocolate at 3:45 sharp.

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I don’t hate it ?

It’s a completely random time in the middle of the day when we get to reconnect and take time to do so. I know that as our girls grow up and get busier, we’ll miss this time like crazy and I’m trying to take advantage of it while we have it!

That being said, I usually take this time to boost my caffeine intake so that I can make it through the rest of the day and tackle supper and bed time. I don’t always go for a hot chocolate or tea.

More often than not, it’s something like this White Chocolate Mocha or this Peppermint Mocha. We’re not lucky enough to have a fancy coffee shop anywhere close, so why not?

How to make a White Chocolate Mocha:

We’re aiming for somewhere between “crazy easy” and “totally authentic” with this White Chocolate Mocha recipe.

Because, let’s be real — I’m a mom of three kids 6 and under and I don’t always have time, equipment or energy for a “totally authentic” Starbuck’s White Chocolate Mocha, but sometimes it gives me just enough sanity to finish out the day. Do you hear me?

For this recipe, I use strong brewed coffee or espresso. If you want to brew fresh, you go for it. If you want to grind your beans and go all out, fantastic. If you own a bottle of Starbucks White Chocolate Syrup and want to use that? Sure! (How many people actually do??)

For me? More often than not I’m using the rest of the morning’s coffee, because why waste it? It’s still perfectly fine and will reheat just fine in the pot with my white chocolate mixture.

I use good quality white chocolate and whole milk to make a white hot chocolate base, then stir in my prepared coffee or espresso. Top with all the extras, and pour that soul-healing caffeine right into my body. Easy. Quick. Delicious.

white chocolate mocha in glass mug

Some people will prefer a little more sweetness and some will prefer a little more espresso — this is easy to adjust as you’re going! Don’t feel you have to stick to the “recipe”, if you want to tweak the flavor to be better suited to your tastes.

How many calories in this White Chocolate Mocha?

There are roughly 359 calories in this White Chocolate Mocha — it’s definitely a once-in-a-while treat and not an every day thing!
See my tips below for lightening up this White Chocolate Mocha even more.

Tips for making this White Chocolate Mocha healthier:

Use low fat milk instead of whole milk. Whole milk will stand up better to the heat so if you are using low fat milk, be sure to watch the pot and make sure it doesn’t come to a boil.
There isn’t really a low calorie substitute for the white chocolate in this white chocolate mocha, sorry.
Use your preferred sugar substitute to sweeten, or reduce the sugar listed.
Skip the garnishes. My calorie count doesn’t include the whipped cream or chocolate curls because everyone will add a different amount, some will use cool whip, etc., so it’s too difficult to predict. You won’t take calories off of the nutrition information listed if you skip them, but obviously if you leave them off you won’t add anything to it either.

white chocolate mocha starbucks

Shortcuts for this White Chocolate Mocha recipe:

Use white hot chocolate powder, if you can find it. It’s tricky to find but often available around the holidays. If you can find it, this might also be one way to lighten up the recipe overall, if you combine the powder with water instead of whole milk. This won’t save a ton of time, but it will make it a little easier.
Skip the brewed coffee or espresso and add some instant espresso powder and water right into the pot — easy peasy!
Skip the stovetop and use the microwave — combine the milk and chocolate in your mug, along with the coffee or espresso powder, and heat until hot and combined. I don’t really recommend this because it’s more difficult to keep an eye on, but you can make that choice for yourself ?