3 Homemade Hot Cocoa Recipes

Hot cocoa is one of the many pleasures of winter. Just as homemade lemonade works to cool us down in the hot summer days, homemade hot cocoa is the perfect mug after a cold outing in the winter. There are loads of store-bought cocoa mix options but if you take a closer look at the ingredients list, you may choose to go the homemade route. Conventional mixes are highly processed and contain corn syrup, carrageenan, sucralose, and artificial flavorings and additives. 

It's easy to whip up your own jar of homemade hot cocoa mix to have and the variations are fun to try with kids. We love using the 4th burner pot when making homemade cocoa on the stovetop. The 7 cup pot is ideal for smaller batches and the 12-cup is perfect to make cocoa for larger groups. You'll keep finding uses for this fabulous stove pot! The interior steamer basket is convenient to steam veggies, oysters, eggs, and more. Without the steamer, the 4th burner pot is ideal for warmed drinks like apple cider, mulled wine and homemade cocoa. 

Classic Hot Cocoa 

Ingredients:

  • 1/4 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 c granulated sugar
  • 1/3 c hot water
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 4 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

  1. 1. Combine the cocoa, sugar, water, and salt in a medium saucepan.
  2. 2. Over medium heat, stir constantly until the mixture boils. Cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute.
  3. 3. Stir in the milk and heat, but do not boil.
  4. 4. Remove from the heat and add vanilla; stir well. Serve immediately. 

Notes: For minty hot cocoa - add 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract. 

Mexican Spiced Hot Cocoa

Ingredients:

  • 4 c milk
  • 1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/4 c sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp chipotle powder or chili powder
  • pinch of nutmeg and cayenne

Directions:

Add all ingredients to a medium saucepan. Heat over medium heat until simmering, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and serve.

Homemade Nutella Cocoa

Ingredients: Homemade Nutella and milk of your choosing. 

  1. 1. Heat milk until steaming, stirring occasionally.
  2. 2. Add Homemade Nutella and whisk until dissolved.

  3. And for those who prefer a pure HOT CHOCOLATE:

Ingredients:

  • 8 oz. dark chocolate 
  • 4 c milk
  • 1 TBLS brown sugar (or alternative sweetener) 
Directions:
1. Chop chocolate into small pieces. The smaller they are, the faster and more smoothly they will melt.
2. Optional: If using cornstarch, whisk with ½ cup milk and set aside.
3. Heat milk, sugar, and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally.
4. When milk begins to bubble around the edges, stir in chocolate and whisk until smooth.

*A pinch of salt is always a good idea. And spices! Be adventurous with adding cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom...
Enjoy! Please share your favorite methods of making homemade stove top cocoa.