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Craving a cup of warm hot chocolate? Skip the hot coca mix! Here’s how to make the best hot chocolate with cocoa powder! Made with simple ingredients, no refined sugars, and either dairy or dairy-free milk. This recipe is fast and easy to make: ready in under 10 minutes!
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What Readers Say
“I love this recipe. I make a batch for my three kids and then pour a bit over my coffee. I love homemade mochas! Perfect for this time of year.”
ASHLEY
- Healthy and Nourishing: I realize you may not be going for “healthy” when making a cup of hot cocoa. But this recipe is not only delicious and decadent, it’s also made with whole foods: milk, cocoa powder, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla extract. Healthy hot chocolate will be our little secret. No one else needs to know.
- Easy Recipe: Just add the ingredients to a pot, give everything a whisk, and in a couple of minutes you’ll have an easy homemade hot chocolate ready for yourself and family!
- Family Favorite: This recipe makes enough to serve each family member a cup of homemade hot cocoa, making 4 cups in total! And the recipe can easily be doubled. You may just want to do that, because everyone is going to ask for seconds.
- Rich Milk Chocolate Flavor: It can be difficult to achieve a rich, chocolate flavor without adding chocolate chips. This recipe achieves the perfect level of flavor by using real cocoa powder. The maple syrup and salt, paired with the cocoa, is the secret.
Ingredients Needed
To make this homemade recipe, you’ll need a few pantry and fridge ingredients. I keep these ingredients stocked in my capsule kitchen at all times, so it’s easy to whip up this easy hot chocolate recipe whenever the craving hits!
- 4cupsyour favorite type of milk: whole milk, coconut milk, almond milk, cashew milk, or oat milk
- 1/3cuppure maple syrup(or more to taste)
- 1/3cupunsweetened cocoa powder or raw cacao powder
- 1 1/2teaspoonspure vanilla extract
- pinchof salt
Pro Tip: Using full-fat milk to make this recipe will give you the best result. If using a plant-based milk, use a full fat option.
Equipment Needed
- Medium saucepan or Dutch oven for warming the ingredients
- Whisk for whisking the ingredients and creating a smooth drink
What’s the Difference Between Cocoa Powder and Raw Cacao Powder?
You have the option to use either ingredient to make this recipe. Both are made from cacao beans. Cocoa powder is made by roasting cacao beans. Cacao powder is obtained through a cold-press process, which allows the powder to retain living enzymes and removes fat. Some people feel that cacao is a healthier option.
How to Make Hot Chocolate With Cocoa Powder Step By Step
Step 1: Add Ingredients to a Saucepan
Pour the milk into a Dutch oven or saucepan, followed by the remaining ingredients: maple syrup, cacao powder, vanilla, and salt. Whisk the ingredients. The cocoa powder won’t fully dissolve in the milk just yet.
Step 2: Warm the Ingredients on the Stove-Top
Warm the mixture over medium heat on the stove-top, whisking every couple of minutes to fully dissolve the cocoa powder in the milk. Once fully dissolved and warm, turn off the heat.
Step 3: Serve
Spoon the hot chocolate into mugs. Enjoy warm on a cold day (or whenever you have the urge for a warm drink).
Additional Flavor Suggestions
Change up the flavor of this recipe with one of these easy additions…
Peppermint extract: Add a splash of peppermint extract for a minty twist.
Cinnamon: Start with 1/2 teaspoon, then taste and adjust from there. You could also add in ground cloves or nutmeg or cardamom, all of which are warming spices and pair well with chocolate.
Pinch of Cayenne: If you want a spicy twist, add a pinch of cayenne. Taste and adjust according to your heat preference.
Chocolate Chips: Add actual chocolate chips to increase the richness of the drink. Add up to 1/4 cup of dark chocolate chips, bittersweet chocolate chips, or milk chocolate chips to the milk mixture. This will make the drink very chocolatey and rich.
Topping Ideas
Of course, the best part about hot chocolate is the toppings. Here are a few ideas…
- Whipped Cream: Add homemade whipped cream (made with heavy cream or coconut milk), or use your favorite store-bought whipped cream.
- Dash of Cinnamon: Sprinkle the top of each drink with cinnamon.
- Candy Cane: Add a candy cane to each mug. Or top each drink with whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes.
- Chocolate Shavings: Take your favorite chocolate bar and a cheese grater, and grate some chocolate over the top of each mug. Fancy and delicious!
- Marshmallows: A classic, of course! Add mini marshmallows or large marshmallows to each cup. And you can even make your own marshmallows.
How to Store and Reheat Leftovers
If you happen to have leftover hot chocolate, allow the leftovers to fully cool. Ladle the leftovers into a storage jar with a lid (or a mug and use plastic wrap to cover) and store in the fridge for up 1 day, then reheat in the microwave or stove-top.
Serving Ideas
- For Breakfast: The kids love hot chocolate with breakfast during the cooler months. It’s a special treat on the weekend when mornings are slower. Serve the hot cocoa with almond-oat pancakes, sheet pan einkorn pancakes, sausage and egg casserole, or scrambled eggs.
- With Christmas Cookies: There’s nothing better than classic Christmas cookies and hot cocoa on cold nights! My favorites: einkorn sugar cookies, Grandma’s famous buckeyes, einkorn chocolate chip cookies, and almond flour chocolate chips cookies.
My popular DIY hot chocolate mix recipe can be made in advance and stored in the pantry. This recipe is perfect for making single cups of hot cocoa using either the microwave or stove-top.
6 More Ways to Use Cocoa Powder
- Chocolate Overnight Oats: A chocolatey, protein-rich breakfast.
- Einkorn Chocolate Zucchini Muffins: Chocolate + vegetables
- Einkorn Chocolate Cake: The best chocolate cake!
- Winter Minty Mocha Mask: Use cocoa powder on your face for glowy skin this winter.
- Instant Pot Chili: Add the powder to chili for dynamic flavor!
- Homemade Foundation Powder: Yep, you can make your own makeup with this simple ingredient.
4.72 from 14 votes
How to Make Hot Chocolate With Cocoa Powder
Craving cup of warm hot chocolate? Skip the hot coca mix! Here's how to make the best hot chocolate with cocoa powder, maple syrup, and milk! Made with simple ingredients and can be made with dairy or dairy-free milk.
Kristin Marr
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time15 minutes mins
Course Dessert, Drinks, How To
Cuisine American
Servings 4 cups (1 cup per serving)
Calories 240 kcal
Cost: $4
Equipment
1 medium saucepan or Dutch oven for warming the ingredients
1 whisk for whisking the ingredients
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk your favorite milk: coconut, almond, cashew
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup or more to taste
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder
- 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- pinch salt
Instructions
Pour the milk into a saucepan, followed by the remaining ingredients: maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk the ingredients. The cacao powder won't fully dissolve in the milk just yet.
Warm the mixture over medium heat on the stove-top, whisking every couple of minutes to fully dissolve the cocoa powder in the milk. Once fully dissolved and warm, turn off the heat.
Spoon the hot chocolate into mugs. Enjoy warm.
Notes
Topping Ideas:
- Whipped Cream: Add homemade whipped cream (made with heavy cream or coconut milk), or use your favorite store-bought whipped cream.
- Dash of Cinnamon: Sprinkle the top of each drink with cinnamon.
- Candy Cane: Add a candy cane to each mug. Or top each drink with whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes.
- Chocolate Shavings: Take your favorite chocolate bar and a cheese grater, and grate some chocolate over the top of each mug. Fancy and delicious!
- Marshmallows: A classic, of course! Add mini marshmallows or large marshmallows to each cup. And you can even make your own marshmallows.
Nutrition
Calories: 240kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 9gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 97mgPotassium: 538mgFiber: 3gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 395IUCalcium: 339mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!
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Kristin Marr
Kristin is the creator and editor-in-chief of Live Simply. Kristin is married to her high school sweetheart, Dustin, and is the mom to two kids and two free-roam (litterbox-trained) bunnies, Leo and Estela. Kristin started Live Simply in 2013 to share her passion for real food and natural living.
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THIS WAS SO HORRIBLE, , ITS SO BITTER, im sorry but i did not like it it was bitter and it had no flavor. but im glad every else liked it but its just not for me.Reply
Sorry to hear you didn’t like it, Joe. Thanks for sharing your honest thoughts. You can always add more sweetener if you desire. What kind of cocoa powder did you use?
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Our family go-to recipe. Always a hit and my family prefers it to any coffee-shop versions!Reply
Yay, Kristina! I’m so happy to hear that!
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For a dairy free option, do you suggest using canned coconut milk or the coconut milk from a carton? Thanks!
Reply
Hey Janice, Either one is good for this hot chocolate. I love the rich decadent nature of canned coconut milk as it feel more like cream/whole milk. This will make the hot chocolate a bit thicker and delicious! Coconut milk from a carton is a bit more watered down but will also be delicious.
Reply
I love this recipe. I make a batch for my three kids and then pour a bit over my coffee. I love homemade mochas! Perfect for this time of year.Reply
Love that idea, Ashley! I need to do this. Thank you for sharing.
Reply
Hi Kristin
I really enjoy reading your blog and trying your recipes. Since I am in Michigan and watching it snow, I had to make the hot chocolate. It was delicious! 🙂Reply
Simple & Delicious ~ Just the way I like it! 🙂Reply
Thank you, Julie! I’m so glad you loved the hot chocolate.
Reply
I loved loved the un-artificial taste to this! Most hot chocolates (even from prestigious coffee shops) leave me with a bitter taste at the end or are waaaay to sweet. This was perfect! I found that if you put the whisk handle in between your palms and shift it quickly (imitating the motion of a hand mixer), it will dissolve the cocoa powder much faster! Thanks Kristin!Reply
Yay, Crystal. I’m so glad you loved it!
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