Homemade Hot Cocoa

Homemade Hot Cocoa

After a cold day on the mountain or a long day on the job, a mug of homemade hot cocoa can be the ticket to warming up and inspiring holiday cheer! No need to get your hot cocoa from a packet or store-bought mix, you can make your own and take your cocoa experience to another level. 

This recipe is adaptable to different dietary needs. It works with whatever milk you prefer, whether animal or plant-based. For the sweetener, you can use maple syrup, date or coconut sugar, cane or powdered sugar, stevia or xyletol. You can make this hot cocoa as sweet or bitter as you like by adjusting the amount of sweetener up or down from the quantities shown below. If using a sugar substitute like stevia or xyletol, you'll need to use a lot less than when using sugar or maple syrup.

Mix up your hot cocoa with added flavorings too! To try an Aztec-style hot chocolate, add some cinnamon and cayenne pepper. For peppermint-patty style, add some natural peppermint extract.  

Here are two recipes, one that adds dark chocolate to the mix, and one made with just cocoa powder:

HOMEMADE HOT COCOA USING DARK CHOCOLATE CHUNKS:

Ingredients needed per 2 servings hot cocoa:

• 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 3 Tbsp dark chocolate (chips or a bar)
• 1 Tbsp sweetener (sugar or maple syrup) or 1.5 tsp stevia or xyletol
• Pinch of salt
• 3 Tbsp hot water
• 2 cups milk 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• For peppermint patty option: 1 tsp peppermint extract
• For Aztec hot cocoa: dash of cinnamon, dash of cayenne

1. In a saucepan, combine the cocoa powder, dark chocolate, sugar, pinch of salt and hot water. Put on medium heat and whisk until melted and well combined.
2. Add milk and heat until hot but not boiling, whisking constantly.
3. Remove from heat and add vanilla and other flavors according to your mood.
4. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream, coconut cream, chocolate shavings or marshmallows.

HOMEMADE HOT COCOA WITHOUT DARK CHOCOLATE CHUNKS:

Ingredients needed per 2 servings hot cocoa:

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 2 Tbsp sweetener (sugar or maple syrup) or 1-2 tsp stevia (use less sweetener for more bitter hot chocolate)
• Pinch of salt
• 3 Tbsp hot water
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• For peppermint patty option: 1 tsp peppermint extract
• For Aztec hot cocoa: dash of cinnamon, dash of cayenne

1. In a saucepan, combine the cocoa powder, sugar, pinch of salt and hot water. Put on medium heat and whisk until well combined.
2. Add milk and heat until hot but not boiling, whisking constantly.
3. Remove from heat and add vanilla and other flavors according to your mood.
4. Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream, coconut cream, chocolate shavings or marshmallows.

ENJOY!