What’s to Love About This Hot Cocoa Recipe
Rich chocolate flavor that’s SO much better than the pre-made packets! No artificial flavors here. Takes just 5 minutes to make! Great for whipping up last-minute. Uses pantry staples, so there’s no need to run to the store. Because of this, it makes a tasty snow day treat, especially when paired with my french toast or peanut butter cookies ❄️ Makes a single serving but easily doubles or triples for more. Can be made dairy-free by swapping in a non-dairy milk.
While I already have a rich, decadent hot chocolate recipe on the blog, it’s not necessarily a quick treat. It’s the ultimate hot chocolate if you ask me, but it’s also slightly fussier than ripping open a packet and pouring it in some hot water. Some days I want something that’s just a little bit less complicated, but still chocolatey and flavorful. This hot cocoa recipe is the solution for all of you who are just as impatient as I am. It’s easier and more basic, but still satisfying and better than those fake store bought packets. It’s perfect for days when you’re snowed in and stuck with what’s already in your pantry. I think you’re going to love it!
Ingredients
This recipe so simple with just 6 ingredients, all of which are pantry staples.
Milk. I prefer to use whole milk, but you can really use whatever you have on hand, including non-dairy milk. Just keep in mind that whatever milk you use can change the final flavor/texture of your cocoa. Cocoa powder. Do not use Dutch processed cocoa powder, which is unfortunately unpleasant in this drink. Stick with natural cocoa powder for this recipe. Brown sugar. This drink is perfectly sweetened without being over the top. I opt for brown sugar which has a richer flavor than granulated because of the molasses, so it deepens the flavor of the cocoa nicely. I actually do this with quite a few of my chocolatey recipes, like my chocolate cake and my brownies. In a pinch you can substitute granulated sugar. Heavy cream. This is optional, but I love the richness it adds to this recipe. If you don’t have cream, or simply don’t want to use it, you can just use additional milk instead. Vanilla and salt. A pinch of salt and a splash of vanilla round out the flavors and make it so satisfying!
SAM’S TIP: To create a velvety smooth texture, I start by whisking just a bit of the milk with the cocoa and sugar mixture. This helps the sugar dissolve evenly and blooms the cocoa too (for a rich chocolate flavor!). This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Hot Cocoa
SAM’S TIP: Just like when making chocolate pudding, it’s best to add the vanilla after removing from the heat. Adding it before would cook off the flavor (and we don’t want to waste any vanilla extract–have you seen how expensive that stuff is?!). If you really want to get fancy, top your hot cocoa with some chocolate whipped cream or add a drizzle of chocolate sauce inside your mug! Enjoy! Let’s bake together! Subscribe to my newsletter to be notified of all the newest recipes, and find my free recipe tutorials on YouTube 💜
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