This Easy Homemade Hot Cocoa recipe uses just three ingredients to create a drink that is rich, smooth, and absolutely delicious. Once you try homemade hot chocolate made this way, you just might never go back to the artificial stuff again!
Rich, Creamy, Healthy Hot Cocoa made on the stovetop
Today I want to share my most favorite drink (at the moment, anyway) and it is… hot chocolate. Or technically this is hot cocoa, since it’s made with cocoa powder!
Currently it is wintertime where I live (and yes, I’m counting down the weeks ’til spring; I can’t wait to get my hands dirty in the garden again!) But in the meantime, I’m going to do my best to enjoy the season, large mug of hot chocolate in hand.
Ok, but first, homemade hot chocolate?! Yuck. I was always a Swiss Miss hot chocolate packet girl! Until recently. I came across this super easy recipe for hot chocolate (thank you very, very much, Amber Lee Rabon!) and I have been making it every single day since. This comforting recipe felt like a little gift from God, in the midst of the current hard season of life we’re in. (Which is a whole other story, for another time.)
And by the way, did you ever take a moment to check out the ingredient list on bought hot chocolate mix? Spoiler, it’s not great.
Also, there are plenty of ways to customize this, like with peppermint, coffee, vanilla, cinnamon and so on.
Making incredible hot chocolate at home is easier than you might think! So. Forget the powdered hot chocolate mixes and instant packets, and give this hot chocolate a try! And I hope you like it as much as we do. 🙂 Oh, and don’t forget to top it off with a homemade marshmallow!
Supplies You’ll Need (and what we used!)
- A saucepan – often when I make this, I use my little 1-quart saucepan (like this one, just smaller)
- Whisk – for stirring
- Measuring cups and spoons
Three Simple Ingredients
- Whole Milk – you could probably make it with water, too, but raw whole milk is what I use!
- Cocoa powder – unsweetened cocoa powder. I usually go for Dutch cocoa powder (similar to this Dutch-process cocoa), but natural is fine too. (Just make sure it is good quality!)
- Pure maple syrup – for sweetener
This post contains affiliate links. As Amazon Associates, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you when you purchase through our links. Thanks for supporting our little family!
How to make our Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate
Pour the milk, cocoa, and maple syrup into a saucepan.
Heat the mixture on medium-high heat, whisking often, until the cocoa is all mixed in and the hot cocoa is steaming and hot. When it reaches about 180 degrees with a thermometer, it’s ready! Don’t let it boil.
Serve and enjoy. 🙂
Storing Leftover Hot Cocoa
This recipe makes a single serving, so leftovers isn’t really a thing, most times. But if you do have leftover hot chocolate from a big family batch you’d like to keep, you can always store it in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days.
Tips, Tricks and Notes
- If a “skin” forms on the top of your hot chocolate, no worries! That is just the milk proteins grouping together when exposed to air as the hot chocolate cools. And the perfect solution is to simply add a marshmallow or two on top! Or just keep stirring your hot chocolate pretty often.
- Sweetener options: maple syrup is my favorite, but honey works great, too!
- Flavor ideas: add a little extra flavor with a dash of cinnamon, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, almond extract, instant coffee granules, a pinch of salt, etc. Or, use a candy cane as a stir stick!
- Make a big batch for the whole family! However many people you want to serve, just take this recipe times that number. You can even keep the hot cocoa warm in a slow cooker for a while, if you wish.
- And don’t forget to make some homemade marshmallows to add to the top of your cup of hot chocolate!:)
Want a cookie with your hot cocoa?
Share this Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe
Healthy Homemade Hot Cocoa
This Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate recipe uses cocoa powder, whole milk, and maple syrup to create a drink that is rich, smooth, and absolutely delicious. Once you try homemade hot chocolate made this way, you just might never go back to the artificial stuff again!
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tbsp. maple syrup
Instructions
- Pour the milk, cocoa, and maple syrup into a saucepan.
- Heat the mixture on medium-high heat, whisking often, until the cocoa is all mixed in and the hot cocoa is steaming and hot. When it reaches about 180 degrees with a thermometer, it's ready! Don't let it boil.
- Serve and enjoy.🤎
Notes
- If a "skin" forms on the top of your hot chocolate, no worries! That is just the milk proteins grouping together when exposed to air as the hot chocolate cools. And the perfect solution is to simply add a marshmallow or two on top!
- Sweetener options: maple syrup is my favorite, but honey works great, too!
- Flavor ideas: add a little extra flavor with cinnamon, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, almond extract, instant coffee, etc.
And don't forget to make some homemade marshmallows to add to the top of your cup of hot chocolate! 🙂
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 230Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 24mgSodium: 108mgCarbohydrates: 28gFiber: 1gSugar: 25gProtein: 9g
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
As always…
Thanks for visiting our small town! We’re delighted to have you and you’re more than welcome to stay awhile and explore!
’til next time,
We love you and we’ll be praying for you,
Julie
Leave a Reply