While hot chocolate is largely seen in our modern day as a sweet treat for children, the ancient beverage has a surprisingly long and manly lineage. Kids clamor for a cup following a bout of snowman-making and sledding, but even when you’re grown, there’s nothing better than coming inside to a warm mug of this chocolatey elixir after a cold, wintry outing of skiing, snowshoeing, or even just shoveling.
Pre-made cocoa packets do the job fine, and you can’t beat the convenience of simply needing to mix it in a mug with heated milk or water. But once you try the homemade stuff, you’ll be hard-pressed to go back. Plus, it’s not nearly as hard as you might think. With just a few ingredients, which you likely already have on hand, you’ll be enjoying homemade cocoa in 10 minutes or less.
Notes on Ingredients
- Milk — All milk options (regular, lactose-free, non-dairy) work equally well for homemade hot cocoa. Use whatever it is that your family usually has on hand. Water also works, but the end product will be thinner and less rich.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder — Dutch process and natural cocoa powder are interchangeable in this recipe (if it’s not labeled “Dutch process,” it’s natural), but I tend to recommend the former since it has lower acidity, giving it a smoother flavor overall. That said, getting your cocoa powder from Costco is a great option, especially in the winter, and they don’t usually have a Dutch process variety.
- Brown Sugar — Regular granulated sugar is also just fine, but brown sugar adds a little depth.
- Vanilla Extract — Not strictly necessary, but a splash of vanilla makes for a great caramely, even marshmallow-like flavor.
- Salt — A pinch of salt enhances every other ingredient and makes the whole thing come together.
Homemade Hot Cocoa Recipe (Serves 4)
Ingredients
- 3 cups milk
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
It’s worth noting that I talked to multiple moms about this recipe and they all said they “measure with their heart.” This is a very flexible recipe that’s hard to mess up.
Directions
So easy a 7-year-old can do it.
- Add 3 cups of milk to a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Stir in cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt with a whisk.
- Continue whisking in order to evenly mix all the ingredients and ensure you don’t get clumping.
- Serve as soon as it’s heated through, just 5-10 minutes. Pro tip: serve kids first, when it’s just barely hot, then heat it a couple more minutes for the adults.
- Add desired extras. Mini marshmallows and/or whipped cream always go over well. A splash of Amaretto elevates it even further for those 21+.
