This easy Hot Cocoa recipe is rich and creamy and will warm your soul. You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make a cup of homemade hot cocoa.

Looking for more beverages? Try Wassail, Homemade Eggnog, Frozen Hot Chocolate, or even a Chocolate Milkshake!

Why I love this Hot Cocoa recipe:

• Delicious – This creamy hot cocoa recipe is so much better than any of the powdered mixes you’ll find at the store. You will never buy another one again!
• 10 Minutes – Such a simple and quick recipe, only using one pot!
• Ingredient Control: most powdered hot chocolate mixes from the store are actually “hot cocoa” (they’re made with cocoa powder, rather than real chocolate), and they’re full of strange ingredients. I love knowing, and controlling, exactly what is in my hot cocoa!

How to make Hot Cocoa:

Combine cocoa powder and sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a dash of salt and the boiling water. Bring mixture to a slow boil, stirring continuously. Simmer for 2 minutes.

Add Milk: Stir in milk and heat until very hot, but not boiling! Remove from heat then add vanilla.

Serve: Divide between four mugs then add the half and half. Let it cool to drinking temperature then top with whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy!

More Holiday Drinks:

• Homemade Eggnog
• Slow Cooker Caramel Apple Cider
• Homemade Sparkling Apple Cider
• Sparkling Cranberry Apple Punch
• Frozen Hot Chocolate

Print

Hot Cocoa

This easy Hot Cocoa recipe is creamy and will not only satisfy your sweet tooth but will warm your soul! You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to make a cup of homemade hot cocoa.

Course Beverage

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4

Calories 250kcal

Author Lauren Allen

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup boiling water
• dash of salt
• 4 cups whole milk , divided
• 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

US Customary – Metric

Instructions

• Combine the cocoa and sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a dash of salt and the boiling water.
• Bring to a slow boil, stirring continuously. Once boiling, turn down to a simmer and stir continually for 2 minutes. 
• Stir in 3 ½ cups milk and heat until very hot, but not boiling. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs.
• Serve: Add another splash of milk to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature, if desired. Top with whipped cream.
• Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Rewarm on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently.

Video

Notes

Slow Cooker: Add cocoa and sugar to a slow cooker. Add a dash of salt and the boiling water. Cook over low heat for 2-3 hours. Stir in milk and cook for 30 more minutes, or until cocoa is hot. Ladle into mug, and top with half and half, as needed.

Nutrition

Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 102mg | Potassium: 471mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 453IU | Vitamin C: 0.3mg | Calcium: 305mg | Iron: 1mg

I originally shared this recipe November 2013. Updated November 2019 and February 2024.