Hot cocoa is so decadent and delicious, and it only needs 3 ingredients that you probably already have on hand. Enjoy!
It’s pretty common to think of hot chocolate as coming from a packet. That’s the easiest way to make hot chocolate, for sure. And we even have a packaged hot chocolate brand taste-test comparison for you if you’re thinking of going the packaged route. But, if you’re like me though, you often crave hot chocolate when you don’t have a handy box on hand.
If that’s you, here we are. How to make hot cocoa from scratch. It only requires 3 ingredients and is ready in moments.
Oh, if you don’t have cocoa but do have actual chocolate, never fear! Here are instructions for making hot chocolate using chocolate chips.
Now, let’s learn how to make hot cocoa!
Step#1
Grab your favorite mug from the cupboard. The bigger the better. Add some sugar to the bottom of the mug. Cocoa powder is quite bitter so you may need more sugar than you realize. I go with 2 tablespoons of sugar for 1 tablespoon of cocoa.
Step#2
Then add some unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon. Try using a dark chocolate variety for an intense cup.
Step#3
A little splash of milk just to incorporate the dry ingredients, 1-2 tablespoons. I choose whole milk when I have it because it makes the cocoa rich and creamy.
Step#4
Stir together until no lumps remain and the mixture is smooth. This can take a moment since the cocoa and the sugar don’t dissolve well in cold liquids, but do your best to get them as incorporated as you can.
It should be thick and dark, like this:
Step#5
Slowly stir in the remaining milk until incorporated.
Step#6
Pop it in the microwave for a minute then stir to distribute the heat. Place it back in the microwave and cook for another 30 seconds or until the cocoa is nice and hot.
All you need now is a blanket, some marshmallows, and a fireplace.
Hot Cocoa
This hot cocoa is made in the microwave but you can instead do it on the stove. Do step #1 in a small sauce pan. Then add the milk from step 2 to the sauce pan. Then heat on the stove until the desired temperature is reached.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp. + 1 cup milk, divided
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- In mug, stir together sugar, cocoa powder, and 2 tablespoons of the milk until combined and there are no chunks of cocoa powder.
- Add in remaining 1 cup milk and stir.
- Microwave 1 minute. Stir then microwave for an additional 30 seconds or until hot. Add a pinch of salt and stir.
This post originally appeared in December, 2015 and was revised and republished in December, 2019.
Hi Christine how do you make the hot chocolate using a gas stove instead of a microwave
Amna, Do exactly the same thing except to heat it, pour milk mixture into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring continuously, until steaming and heated to your desired temperature.
Really good. I substituted for no good reason 1tbs brown sugar for 1 tbs white.
Good to know that it works with both. Thanks, Phyllis!
WHY
Pretty good, it works with Raw Sugar as well.
Worked great, taste delicious. Thanks.
Thanks Gabi!
Very Good, Thank you. but. .. is that your favorite mug? I know you have a different one.
Thank you so much! I was searching to find a recipe that actually tasted good when you only have cocoa powder and no hot chocolate mix, and this hit the spot! I’ve found my new go-to recipe!
Yay! So happy to help!
These are soo good!!! Even a kid can make this!(im a kid) thnx for the recipe
You’re welcome, Mika!
Imma make this before I go to school and I hope it keeps me warm
I loved your recipe, used it for Christmas last year
Great recipe, used it for Christmas last year.
this turned out better than I expected, I made this while decorating my house for Christmas and it went with the mood perfectly
Fantastic! Thanks for letting us know, Grace!
Ghiradelli cocoa was the only thing in the cabinet, left over from baking. My 5 yr old daughter was going berserk for hot chocolate. Whoo! mother of 4 and too tired for a store run. Thanks sooooooo muccccch for this recipe. I usually use the packets, this is sooooooooo mucccchhh better, thanks a million!
You’re welcome, Laverne. So happy you guys all liked it! 🙂
Using heavy whipping cream 2/3 tsp. is a good idea for a creamier richer flavor. Using Stevia extract over sugar would be a more for a diet. Also Almond Milk works good!
Thanks for the tips, Mark!
The ingredients list milk twice instead of sugar.
Mary, milk was listed twice because it was to be added at two separate times. But the recipe was written in a confusing way. I have fixed it. Hope that helps!
Love the hot chocolate really simple and yum!!
Pretty sure your sodium number is off–WAY OFF!
You’re right, Denise, sorry about that! It was listed at 1 tsp in the nutrition instead of a pinch (which is more like 1/8 tsp). It’s been updated!
Hi, i made one and it was really great! 🙂
But one question: Can i mixture it with water instead of milk or does it have to be milk??
★★★★★
I think it will work but I don’t think it will taste as good. If you make it with water, maybe add a little bit of coffee creamer or cream of some kind for a bit of richness.
I love it. I don’t have vanilla extract, so i searched for Hot Cocoa without Vanilla extract, and this worked just fine, and it’s really easy to make!
Wonderful, glad you enjoyed!
this hot chocolate recipe is so easy to make and delicious! just tried it and will definitely be making this again. sooo yummy!
★★★★★
Loved this. A great frugal option that tastes so much better than the packaged mixes. And I know what is in it! I’m drinking a mug right now. I used a sweetener packet and it worked great. My only problem is I’m going to have trouble stopping myself from making this all day. Thank you!
★★★★★
Glad you enjoyed so much, Amy!
It’s really good! I added a little vanilla and it was even better
★★★★★
Sounds delicious, Claire!
This hot cocoa recipe was so good and I’m not kidding! I put in some marshmallows, too, and oh my goodness! Five star recipe for sure.
★★★★★
Thanks, Alina! So happy you enjoyed!
This is the best powder hot chocolate I have ever made, I first made it for my mother. She loved it so I made one for myself, It was the best and deserves more than 5 stars. ( i’m also the person who makes hot coco on Christmas now lol )
★★★★★
That’s wonderful, Alyce! Thank you for sharing with us.
yummy
★★★★★
Thank you! I was looking for a simple recipe with good ratios! I’m bookmarking this for future reference .
★★★★
Wonderful! Enjoy, Wendy!
I’ve made cocoa like this for a long time. The packets of hot cocoa are so sweet and artificial tasting. I like mine less sweet, so I use 1 to 2 tbl cocoa and 1 tsp brown stevia. I also add a splash of vanilla, 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp turmeric to have a variation of golden tea. Yummmm!
★★★★
Thank you for sharing your recipe with us, Linda!
hi im a kid but i made this is was easy quick fun and DELICIOUS 😋!! i luv ur recipe so much and i make it all the time. i told my dad he was li,e YUMM
I’m so happy you enjoyed, Kai!
How the heck did I mess this up?? Mine wasn’t that good, It didn’t have much flavor! WHY!?
(btw, good recipe actually, I just messed it up, I searched for hot chocolate in the oven and got this)
I’m sorry about that, how did you mess it up? If you’re looking for more flavor, you can always infuse your milk – https://thecookful.com/milk-infusions-to-upgrade-your-hot-chocolate/
I just tried adding Hazelnut & Burnt Vanilla Bean. It was amazing! Thank you! This is my all-time favorite now! Thanks, Christine!
You’re welcome, Naowara! That sounds delicious!