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Cozy up with the best homemade Hot Cocoa recipe! It's rich, creamy, and made from scratch, with real ingredients. It tastes so much better than a store-bought mix.
5-minute Hot Cocoa that's Better than a Packet
5-minute Hot Cocoa that's Better than a PacketHonestly, it doesn't take me much longer to make this hot cocoa drink from scratch that it does to boil water and stir in a packet. Plus, I always have the ingredients. It's ready in just 10 minutes using one pot, and the flavor is so rich and satisfying.
Be sure to use a high quality unsweetened cocoa powder–it will make all the difference! My favorite it Ghirardelli or Guittard brand unsweetened cocoa powder. And you can use a low-fat milk (or any dairy-free milk), but whole fat milk will make it more creamy.
Try more homemade drinks, like Frozen Hot Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice Eggnog, or Classic Homemade Eggnog, or a Boba Smoothie.
How to make Hot Cocoa:
Make the Cocoa Base: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, whisk together the cocoa powder and sugar. Add a dash of salt and the boiling water (I add boiling water because it will help the cocoa powder immediately bloom” and give a richer flavor). Bring the mixture to a gentle boil while stirring constantly, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 2 minutes.
Add the Milk and continue stirring until the cocoa is steaming hot, but not boiling. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in vanilla.
Serve: Divide hot cocoa among four insulated mugs, then top each with a splash of half and half. Let this homemade hot cocoa recipe cool slightly before serving, and don’t forget a dollop of whipped cream on top, if you’d like!
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Hot Cocoa
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup boiling water
- dash of salt
- 4 cups whole milk, , divided
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine the cocoa and sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add a dash of salt and the boiling water.⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, dash of salt, ⅓ cup boiling water
- Bring to a slow boil, stirring continuously. Once boiling, turn down to a simmer and stir continually for 2 minutes.
- Stir in 3 ½ cups milk and heat until very hot, but not boiling. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs.4 cups whole milk, ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Serve: Add another splash of milk to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature, if desired. Top with whipped cream.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Rewarm on the stove over low heat, stirring frequently.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I originally shared this recipe November 2013. Updated November 2019, February 2024 and November 2025.
Yummy!
Just made this and it is so good! Don’t think I’d go back to store bought. Note: I used only 2.5 cups of milk for a richer flavor plus I just made it for the hubby and I. Another fantastic recipe by Lauren 🥰
Love it. 2nd time making it.
Really delicious and rich! So much better than store bought powder and without the preservatives!!
Delicious
So good! And really fun to make with the kids.
Amazing!!!!! I added less milk than in the recipe (2 1/3 cups and the normal amount of half and half) so it would be a little richer but thats just my personal tastes. This is my go to recipie for now on 🙂
Add ice cream instead of half and half, it will get a thicker, sweeter, and creamier flavour
Great suggested! Doing that now – perfect!
Sooooo excited to try this!
Yum! I always love trying new HC recipes! Pinning for sure!