Looking for an easy homemade hot chocolate recipe? The secret to perfect homemade hot chocolate is just three ingredients (that you probably have on hand right now!) Cocoa + Milk + Sugar. That’s it! This recipe is so simple you’ll never buy hot cocoa mix again.
Print the recipe instantly here, or keep scrolling to see the step-by-step instructions with pictures below!
The Easiest Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe (Just 3 Ingredients!)
Looking for an easy homemade hot chocolate recipe? The secret to perfect homemade hot chocolate is just three ingredients (that you probably have on hand right now!)
Cocoa + Milk + Sugar.
That's it! This recipe is so simple you'll never buy hot cocoa mix again.
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time4 minutes mins
Total Time9 minutes mins
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chocolate, cocoa, hot chocolate, hot cocoa, hot drink, milk, sugar
Servings: 4 cups
Calories: 300kcal
Author: Beth
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp Hershey’s cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1/2 cup white sugar (use 1/4 cup sugar if you like your hot chocolate less sweet)
- 3 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup milk (to be used separately from other milk)
Instructions
1. Stir together the cocoa powder and sugar in a medium saucepan.
2.Add 1/4 cup of milk and stir constantly over medium-high heat until mixture begins to boil. Continue stirring constantly until all sugar is dissolved. Do not let it burn.
3. Add the remaining milk to the pan and bring the heat up to the desired temperature.
Top with marshmallows or drink it straight up!
During the last Snowpocalypse when I had 5 kids stuck in my house during snowy weather I whipped up a batch of homemade hot chocolate that the kids just loved. The parents were pretty impressed that I could make homemade hot chocolate from scratch without a recipe.
The secret to perfect homemade hot chocolate is just three ingredients (that you probably have on hand right now!)
My mom taught me at a very early age to make this recipe for hot chocolate with just three ingredients, so today I’m going to pass along my secret recipe to y’all.
I actually had to do a few test batches to figure out the measurements since I’ve always eyeballed the ingredients and never followed an actual recipe. My mother taught me to mix sugar and cocoa powder together until it was “the color that hot chocolate is supposed to be”.
I’ll try to be a little more exact. Here is what I came up with in my non-test test kitchen.
My Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe:
- 2 Tablespoon Hershey’s cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 1/2 cup white sugar (use 1/4 cup sugar if you like your hot chocolate less sweet)
- 3 3/4 cups milk
- 1/4 cup milk (to be used separately from other milk)
Directions:
1. Stir together the cocoa powder and sugar in a medium saucepan.
2. The cocoa powder is going to be lumpy, and that’s ok. Just get them blended together.
3. Add 1/4 cup of milk. My mama always used evaporated canned milk for this part, but I figure most people don’t even know what that is these days, so any kind of milk will do. I used skim. You can use whatever you have on hand.
This is where the secret part comes in. See how the cocoa and milk don’t want to mix together very easily? We’re going to force them to love each other.
4. How can you force it? By applying heat. Bring the mixture to a low boil over medium high heat, stirring constantly. It will go from that to this:
5. Let it boil for a minute or two, until the sugar is dissolved and no longer grainy. Be sure to stir, stir, stir. Don’t let it burn!
And PS? Is there anything more beautiful than boiling chocolate? Yum.
6. Once it’s all good and mixed together, I add the rest of the milk. I’m not going to lie—I didn’t even measure this out, I just poured straight from the jug. If you like a super sweet hot chocolate you could add less, if you like it less sweet, add more milk. This recipe is totally flexible, folks.
How hot is too hot?
When you add the cold milk, you’ll need to turn the heat back up to get the temperature hot again. You can let this simmer on the stove as long as you’d like, depending on how scalded your taste buds like to be when you sip hot drinks.
When I make it for kids I don’t let it heat back up after adding the milk and it makes it just lukewarm enough for my six year old’s tender mouth. You decide how hot you want yours to be.
Optional ingredient: Marshmallows
So there you go. Those are the exact steps you need to know to make homemade hot chocolate on the stove. Marshmallows are totally optional! Stay warm out there and enjoy!
Here is a printable version of the recipe if you need it:
I hope you enjoy this easy homemade hot chocolate recipe with your family. Let me know how you like it!
PS: If you’re planning to create a Hot Chocolate Bar for your holiday party, here are some free printable signs for you to download!
Free Hot Chocolate Bar Printable Signs
FAQs
Marshmallows: The Unsung Hero
Believe it or not, the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate is none other than marshmallows. These fluffy, sweet confections are the unsung heroes of the hot chocolate world, adding a delightful creaminess and hint of sweetness that takes the drink to a whole new level.
What makes hot chocolate taste better? ›
The 15 Best Things To Add To Hot Chocolate
- Sprinkle in warm spices. Take inspiration from the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate, and add warm spices like cinnamon, cayenne, and chile powder to your hot chocolate for a delightfully spicy drink. ...
- Mix in Nutella. ...
- Spike it. ...
- Swap regular sugar for maple syrup. ...
- Add a rim.
SUGAR, DAIRY PRODUCT SOLIDS, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), COCONUT OIL, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, WHEY PROTEIN CONCENTRATE, LESS THAN 2% OF: SALT, CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE SODIUM, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, SODIUM CASEINATE, SILICON DIOXIDE (ANTI-CAKING AGENT), MALTODEXTRIN, MONO-AND DIGLYCERIDES, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, ...
What do McDonald's use for their hot chocolate? ›
Ingredients: Sugar, Water, Cocoa, Bittersweet chocolate, Natural flavour, Salt, Xanthan gum, Potassium sorbate, Propylene glycol.
What is Mexican hot chocolate made of? ›
Ingredients in Mexican Hot Chocolate
This Mexican hot chocolate is made with real milk, 100% unsweetened cocoa powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, chili powder, and a little bittersweet chocolate to make the whole thing a bit creamier and smoother.
Is it better to use milk or water for hot chocolate? ›
Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.
What is the best cocoa powder for hot chocolate? ›
Unsweetened cocoa powder: a high-quality cocoa powder or cacao powder is essential. I highly recommend using Ghirardelli's 100% cocoa. I think it has the best flavor for hot chocolate (and trust me, I've tried quite a few!)
Does sugar make hot chocolate taste better? ›
Once the chocolate has been melted into the milk, I add sugar to taste – and by God does it need it. Even after I've stirred in a couple of spoons of demerara, the chocolate retains a bitter edge which makes it feel very grown-up indeed.
What's the difference between hot chocolate and hot chocolate? ›
The source of the chocolate flavour is different. Hot Chocolate is made using solid chocolate melted in warm milk or cream. Hot Cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa with added sugar and dissolved in hot water or hot milk.
How do coffee shops make hot chocolate? ›
Most use Monin dark chocolate sauce, which we lightly dilute with hot water before topping off with steamed milk. One of our cafes uses a drinking chocolate mix from Ritual Chocolate, which is prepared into a sauce in batches and is then served the same way.
McDonald's Hot Chocolate recipe features steamed whole milk with rich hot chocolate syrup and is finished with whipped light cream and chocolate drizzle. Available in small, medium and large sizes.
What cocoa powder do professionals use? ›
Some pastry chefs and professional bakers prefer the mild flavor of Dutch-process cocoas in baked desserts—it's the variety we use most often in our recipes—while others point to the bolder, almost fruity flavor that comes from natural, non-alkalized powder.
What are the ingredients in Farmer Brothers hot cocoa mix? ›
Sugar, Non-Fat Dry Milk, Non-Dairy Creamer (Corn Syrup Solids, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Sodium Caseinate (a Milk Derivative), Dipotassium Phosphate, Mono- and Diglycerides, Silicon Dioxide, DATEM and Artificial Flavor), Whey Solids, Cocoa (Dutch Process), Sodium Silicoaluminate, Salt, Artificial Flavorings and ...
What is the best rated hot cocoa? ›
- Best for Dark Chocolate Lovers. Crow & Moss Honduras Wampusirpi Drinking Chocolate. ...
- Most Nostalgic. Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix. ...
- Nostalgic Runner-Up. Nestle Rich Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix. ...
- Best Spiced. Spicewalla Classic Hot Chocolate. ...
- Most Spike-able. ...
- Platonic Ideal. ...
- Best for Gifting. ...
- Allergy-Free.
Place 2 tbsp (30 ml) hot chocolate mix in a mug. Add 170-230 ml (6-8 oz) boiling water or very hot milk. Stir well & enjoy!
What makes gourmet chocolate better? ›
After all, real chocolate contains a higher percentage of cocoa solids and cocoa butter. This makes our chocolate taste richer and stays creamier than your regular store-bought brands. With better chocolate, you're going to notice a more intense and authentic chocolate taste instead of just sugar.
What makes chocolate gourmet? ›
Gourmet chocolate refers to high-quality chocolates produced with exceptional care, using superior-grade ingredients (like Cluizel, which has the “Noble Ingredients” certification, guaranteeing the use of only pure cocoa butter, Bourbon vanilla pod, no soy lecithin or added flavors).
What is posh hot chocolate? ›
Pour the milk, double cream and chopped chocolate into a pan. Bring gently to the boil, whisking until smooth. Serve in individual cups or mugs topped with mini marshmallows and a little grated chocolate.
