I’m a bit of a hot chocolate snob. It’s one of my favorite treats at home or when wandering around a city, and I’d almost always choose it over a cookie. I don’t love most store hot chocolate mixes – it needs to be homemade hot chocolate for me to like it. I really wanted a homemade hot chocolate mix without powdered milk because I don’t often keep it on hand. And honestly, who wants to use powdered milk when you can use real milk?
It almost feels silly to share something so simple, but after finally nailing down the ratios and methodology for this homemade hot chocolate recipe, it feels worth sharing if even one other person can enjoy this deliciousness.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
This is the homemade hot chocolate recipe of my dreams. It is, in my opinion, the very best homemade hot chocolate of any I’ve tasted. It’s smooth and chocolatey without being too rich to drink. It’s sweet but not cloyingly so. It holds up well to and benefits from freshly whipped cream. It takes less than 5 minutes to make, so while you can make the mix in advance, I never do.
It’s really a homemade hot cocoa mix that you can drink in a big mug while curled under a blanket, rather than one you sip in a tiny shot glass in a cafe. It’s casual and comforting and I make it all winter long. I also keep a giant pot of it warm on the stove or in the crock pot on Christmas Day!
Homemade Hot Chocolate Ingredients
One quick note on ingredients – they make a big difference in this recipe. Since the cocoa is the primary flavor, you’ll want to use good quality cocoa if you can. My favorite is the Guittard dark cocoa powder, but the Trader Joe’s cocoa powder is also very good!
I hope you love this easy homemade hot chocolate as much as I do!
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix without Powdered Milk
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Without Powdered Milk
Equipment
- Heavy duty pot
- Whisk
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp good quality cocoa powder Guittard is my favorite!
- 4 Tbsp white sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips Again, Guittard is my favorite!
- 4 cups whole milk (you can sub half with cream if you want it extra rich)
- Optional mix ins: vanilla extract, peppermint extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, chocolate sprinkles, salted caramel sauce, mini marshmallows, a candy cane, a gingerbread cookie, etc.
- Freshly whipped cream, to top
Instructions
- Mix cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a heavy pot. Add water and turn heat to medium. Whisk constantly until everything is dissolved to create a completely smooth syrup.
- Add in chocolate chips. Whisk until completely melted.
- Add milk. Heat, stirring frequently, until cocoa begins to steam. Do not allow to simmer or bubble.
- Serve, preferably with a dollop of freshly whipped cream on top.
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