Recipe

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This homemade hot cocoa recipe is rich, creamy, and comes together in minutes with ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

When it's cold out, nothing hits like a warm mug of hot cocoa. This recipe is quick to make on the stovetop and tastes so much better than the packet stuff.

overhead view of a cup of homemade hot cocoa topped with mini marshmallows with hands holding the mug

Hot Cocoa with Cocoa Powder

Most of us have cocoa powder, sugar, and milk on hand, which means a rich homemade cup of hot cocoa is just minutes away. If you can heat up liquid on the stovetop and stir, you can make this; it’s that simple.

I’ve been making this recipe for my kids for years, and first shared it on my site back in 2012. More than a decade later, it’s still the one we reach for every time the temperature drops, and when I need a bigger batch for a lot of kids, I make it in the slow cooker. You’ll find flavored versions at the bottom.

Ingredients

You'll need unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar (or honey or maple syrup) to sweeten, water to dissolve the cocoa and sugar, milk (dairy or non-dairy) as the base liquid, a pinch of salt to enhance the chocolate flavor, and vanilla added at the end for a classic finish.

How to Make Hot Chocolate

You’ll find the measurements, how to make it for one, and a quick video in the recipe card. Here is what you need to know:

Combine the cocoa powder, sugar, water, and salt in a medium saucepan and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Add the milk and continue to stir, being careful not to let it boil over.
Turn off the heat and add the vanilla. It’s added last, so its flavor doesn’t cook off or fade. Mix and pour it into mugs.
Top the hot cocoa with marshmallows or whipped cream.

pouring homemade hot cocoa into a mug, showing the color of the rich hot chocolate

Dutch Process vs. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Unsweetened cocoa powder is more acidic and gives a deeper, richer chocolate flavor, while Dutch-processed cocoa is milder and less intense. Both work well in this recipe.

Variations & Flavored Versions

Try this recipe first and then come back and make one of these flavored versions:

Hot Cocoa Recipe (Better Than The Box)

overhead view of a cup of homemade hot cocoa topped with mini marshmallows

Servings: 4 cups

Cook Time: 8

Total Time: 8

This homemade hot cocoa recipe is rich, creamy, and comes together in minutes with ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

4.95 from 294 votes

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Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup hot water
⅛ teaspoon salt
4 cups milk, any
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, water, and salt over medium heat. Heat this chocolate base mixture, stirring constantly, until smooth.
When it simmers, reduce the heat, pour the milk, and continue stirring as it heats up and you see steam surface. Do not let it boil; you don't want to burn the milk.
Turn off the heat, add the vanilla, and mix.
Pour the hot cocoa into mugs and top it with marshmallows or whipped cream.

Notes

Ingredient swaps:

Honey or maple syrup can be swapped for granulated sugar (same amount). The flavor will change slightly.
Unsweetened cocoa powder is more acidic and gives a deeper, richer chocolate flavor, while Dutch-processed cocoa is milder and less intense. Both work well in this recipe.
If using a plant-based milk that’s already sweetened (includes sugar), reduce the sugar in half.

Make it for one:

In a mug, mix 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Heat 1¼ cups milk (in the microwave or on the stovetop) until hot but not boiling. Pour half over the cocoa mixture and whisk to dissolve, then stir in ¼ teaspoon vanilla and the remaining milk until smooth and creamy.