The Best Homemade Hot Cocoa

Once you try this super simple homemade hot cocoa, you’ll never go back to prepackaged hot chocolate again!

Hot chocolate or hot cocoa?

There really is a difference, guys! Hot chocolate is sometimes also referred to as “drinking chocolate.” It literally is melted chocolate that you drink. Not like the candybar your kid left to melt in the car, ok? Think rich, creamy, decadent, and super sweet. Typically you heat some milk or cream on the stove, add spices of your choice – vanilla, cinnamon, chili powder (Mexican hot chocolate, anyone?), or orange (yes please!), and then melt chocolate shavings into it.

The beauty of this is getting to tweak it to your preferences. Milk chocolate your jam? Go for it! Dark chocolate? Even better. White chocolate… Listen, it’s your hot chocolate, but if you ask me, white chocolate is just sad. Is it even really chocolate? But I digress. The point is: you do you, boo.

So then what makes it hot cocoa?

I’m glad you asked! Rather than melting chocolate pieces, hot cocoa is made from cocoa powder. It’s lighter, not as thick, and not as sweet as hot chocolate. I can handle all things sweet, like I have no threshold for the amount of sugar I can safely consume. It’s a gift. But even I have to pace myself with hot chocolate.

Hot cocoa is always my go-to. You can still personalize it with spices or extracts, top it with marshmallows, whipped cream, or even crushed peppermint candies – our boys’ topping of choice if they’re feeling fancy. And it whips up super quick, making me mom of the year for having it ready right after school on a cold day like today.

What’s wrong with prepackaged mixes?

We’ve all done it. Bought the Swiss Miss or the gas station hot chocolate (or hot cocoa, now that we’ve learned the difference) in a weak moment of desperation. It’s ok! It makes the cut when you have limited options – no judgment.

But this recipe is the one you make memories with. One of my earliest, and still vivid, childhood memories is playing in the snow with my dad and sister. Him burying a little yellow and white football in the snow, she and I searching for it. And then we came inside where my mom had this hot cocoa waiting for us. I could tell you what my mug looked like, how I was sitting by the fireplace, all of it. And here I am, more than 35 years later, still making this recipe for my own family. Our boys know how to make it; it’s one that they’ll have memorized (like me) before long. So grab these ingredients that are probably already in your pantry, and get your kids in the kitchen with you while you make one of the easiest, but most satisfying, homemade hot cocoas you’ll remember.

Ingredients for the best homemade hot cocoa:

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• dash of salt
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 4 1/2 cups milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

My secret ingredient is heavy whipping cream. If I have it on-hand I add a splash (or 3) when I add the milk. It makes it extra creamy, frothy, and rich.

Instructions:

1. Measure cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk to combine.
2. Add water and turn stove to medium-low, whisking often until powdered mixture is dissolved – 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to let it scorch.
3. Once dissolved, add milk and stir. Let it heat through.
4. After it’s heated, add vanilla and serve. Top with marshmallows, whipped cream, cinnamon, or crushed peppermint candy.

For the dairy-free fans:

If you’re looking for a dairy-free version of this homemade hot cocoa, never fear! My friend Jill has tweaked our recipe to her family’s taste – kid approved too. You can find it on her site Locklear Farm.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our family in this way!

The Best Homemade Hot Cocoa

Once you try this super simple homemade hot cocoa, you’ll never go back to prepackaged hot chocolate again!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 5

Ingredients

  

• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• dash of salt
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 4 1/2 cups milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Instructions

 

• Measure cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk to combine.
• Add water and turn stove to medium-low, whisking often until powdered mixture is dissolved – 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to let it scorch.
• Once dissolved, add milk and stir. Let it heat through.
• After it’s heated, add vanilla and serve. Top with marshmallows, whipped cream, cinnamon, or crushed peppermint candy.

Keyword hot chocolate, hot cocoa