The Best Homemade Hot Cocoa Recipe: The Perfect Winter Warmer!

Nothing is more comforting than a mug of this best homemade hot cocoa on a cold winter day.

Filled with whipped cream or giant fluffy marshmallows, hot cocoa is a classic cold-weather all-time favorite.

Enjoying this best homemade hot cocoa recipe can easily give you precisely what you’re looking for.

Whether you’re looking for a warm pick-me-up after a long day or want something sweet to indulge in, homemade hot cocoa will surely satisfy you.

Today, we will explore what makes this the best homemade delicious hot cocoa recipe. – (in my opinion)

This recipe is easy to make, uses simple ingredients, and will hit the spot on those chilly days!

So, grab your ingredients, and let’s get started on making the perfect warm sweet drink!

Ingredients You Will Need for Homemade Hot Cocoa

This recipe uses simple ingredients and is easy to make.

1/3 Cup Hot Water

1/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – Cocoa powder is made from the fermented and roasted seeds of the cocoa tree. It is an important ingredient in all kinds of chocolate desserts and drinks. Since cocoa powder is naturally sweetened and has a rich chocolate flavor, it is often used to make hot chocolate.

4 Cups Whole Milk – Milk is a common ingredient used in hot chocolate recipes to add creaminess to the drink. There are many different types of milk that you can substitute in a hot chocolate recipe. These include whole, almond, soy, and skim milk.

1/2 Cup Agave – Agave can sweeten hot chocolate and make it more delicious. There are many other types of sweeteners that you can use in a hot chocolate recipe, such as white sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar, and honey.

1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract – Vanilla extract is a common ingredient in many sweet desserts. It adds a sweet and rich vanilla flavor to the hot chocolate.

1/8 Tsp. Salt – I now primarily use Celtic Sea Salt in all my recipes.

How Do I Make A Cup of Hot Cocoa?

DIRECTIONS

The directions for this recipe are straightforward to follow.

1. In a small to medium saucepan, combine cocoa powder, agave, wanted, and salt over medium heat.
2. Stir the ingredients together until dissolved and smooth.
3. Reduce the heat to low and stir in milk.
4. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla. Pour hot cocoa into a mug and serve.

*Feel free to add whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shaving, or any toppings you like!

Homemade Hot Cocoa Variations

You can make many variations to this recipe to create your own personalized hot chocolate drink.

And why not pair your delicious warm drink with these soft and chewy chocolate chip cookies you can make with kids?

Here are a few variations to get you started:

• Hot Cocoa with Cinnamon – Add one teaspoon of ground cinnamon to this recipe for a delicious and warm hot cocoa drink.

• Hot Cocoa with Almond Milk – This variation uses almond milk as the base for the hot cocoa. This is an excellent choice for those with dairy allergies or lactose intolerance.

• Hot cocoa with peppermint – Add crushed peppermint candies along with the milk on low heat and stir into hot chocolate.

• To try different flavors, add 1 teaspoon of flavored extract or other spices to the recipe, such as pumpkin spice, ginger spice, almond extract, chai tea, flavored marshmallows, or even white chocolate!

*Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks to remember while making this recipe.

– To make a large batch of hot chocolate, double or triple this recipe. You can store the extra hot chocolate in the fridge for up to five days.

– To make the recipe even richer, replace half of the milk with heavy cream.

– To try different flavors, add 1 teaspoon of flavored extract or other spices to the recipe, such as pumpkin spice, ginger spice, almond extract, chai tea, flavored marshmallows, or even white chocolate!

Enjoy the Best Homemade Hot Cocoa!

This homemade hot chocolate recipe will hit the spot on those chilly winter days.

As you can see, your warm cup of hot cocoa doesn’t have to be plain or predictable.

Cozy up with some new flavors in your hot cocoa and show your family how the traditional hot chocolate drink can be new and exciting this winter.

What’s the Difference Between Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa?

Hot chocolate has a deep, chocolatey flavor made from the base of thick, melted chocolate. When warm with liquids such as water, milk, or cream, it makes the drink warm and liquid.

Hot cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa, sugar, and added flavorings which is much thinner than hot chocolate.

What’s Wrong with Prepackaged Hot Chocolate Mix?

Hot chocolate mix is a staple in many households, especially during the winter months.

It’s convenient, easy to prepare, and delicious. But have you ever stopped to consider what’s actually in that prepackaged hot chocolate mix?

Many of the ingredients are suspect, including artificial flavors and preservatives.

All in all, the ingredients in hot chocolate mix aren’t particularly natural. In fact, many of the ingredients are synthetic and contain chemicals that aren’t particularly nutritious.

The artificial flavors and preservatives that are added to hot chocolate mix are used to extend its shelf life.

For example, artificial flavors are made with a combination of chemicals and are often made from petrochemicals or propylene glycol, a chemical that’s used in antifreeze. This ingredient is often found in frosting, cake mixes, and other baked goods. But it’s also found in hot chocolate mix, along with a few other ingredients, like corn syrup, and citric acid.

And finally, we have preservatives. These additives are used to prevent bacteria and mold. But these ingredients aren’t necessary and can cause digestive issues such as gas and bloating.

Choosing to make your own homemade hot cocoa is a healthier option that you and your family can enjoy and feel good about!

From making your own powder to adding real chocolate to your drink, there are many ways to enjoy hot cocoa without the extra additives.

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Try these Mini Cranberry Pumpkin Muffins