This easy hot chocolate recipe with cocoa powder takes less than 10 minutes to whip up using ingredients you probably already have on hand!
This hot chocolate recipes an easy, simple, and delicious hot chocolate you make with ingredients you probably already have in your refrigerator and pantry – no milk powder here!
And, it only takes 5 minutes to whip up a batch of this quick and easy hot chocolate.
Ingredients
- Milk: you can use any type of milk in this recipe, or a combination of milk, half and half, or heavy whipping cream. You can also use milk substitutes like soy milk, oatmilk, almond milk, coconut milk, etc.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: You can use either Dutch Process cocoa powder such as Hershey’s Dark or Natural Cocoa Powder such as Ghirardelli. You can read more about the differences in cocoa powder here.
How to Make
This recipe is so easy to make. All you do is add your milk, vanilla extract, salt, and cocoa powder to a medium or large saucepan and heat over medium heat, mixing or whisking until combined.
Be sure to watch the milk carefully, as it can very quickly get too hot and over boil. You can even mix it in a mug and warm it in the microwave for an even easier microwave version. But again, watch closely so the milk doesn’t boil over.
Once it's done, I personally like to use a milk frother after it's warmed up but that is totally optional.
Pour into a mug and, add any optional toppings like mini marshmallows or this homemade marshmallow cream, extra cocoa powder, cinnamon, or whipped cream. This homemade chocolate whipped cream goes great with this recipe. You can even add a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream or Kahlua for an adult version. Then, enjoy!
Tips and Tricks
- Both dutch processed and natural cocoa powder work in this recipe.
- Any type of milk works in this recipe, including non-fat, whole milk, half and half, and milk substitutes like oat milk and soy milk.
- You can add more or less sugar to taste.
- This easy hot chocolate recipe with cocoa powder can be doubled or tripped to make a large batch.
Looking for more holiday and winter recipes? Check these out!
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Easy Hot Chocolate Recipe with Cocoa Powder
INGREDIENTS
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tbs sugar more or less to taste
- 2 cups milk of choice
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Add ingredients to a medium or large saucepan and heat over medium heat, mixing or whisking until combined. Be sure to watch the milk carefully, as it can very quickly get too hot and over boil.
- Once it’s simmering and all the ingredients are combined, pour into a mug and, add any optional marshmallows or whipped cream on top. Then, enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Both dutch processed and natural cocoa powder work in this recipe.
- Any type of milk works in this recipe, including non-fat, whole milk, half and half, and milk substitutes like oat milk and soy milk.
- If you have a milk frother, this recipe is great frothed up.
- This recipe makes 2 small hot chocolates or 1 large hot chocolate and can easily be doubled or tripped to make a large batch.
Victoria says
I like this a lot! I made some alterations since I didn’t have enough cocoa powder. I had a little short of 1/4 cup. I supplemented the rest with coca chips.
Since all of mines were 80 – 90% cacao, I used 2 Tbsps of Monk fruit sweetener.
Adding the chips with the vanilla last was so nice! It made it silky and smooth. I paired it with my homemade whipped cream and sprinkled with cinnamon. 😌✨🙏 Divine! Great recipe!
Sophia Assunta says
so glad you liked it!