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    Home » Recipes

    Mama's Homemade Hot Chocolate

    Published: Oct 4, 2013 · Modified: Aug 26, 2024 · by Renée B. · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe   Print Recipe
    A cup of homemade hot chocolate warms both body and soul, and creates lasting memories along the way. | The Good Hearted Woman

    A cup of Homemade Hot Chocolate warms both body and soul, turning simple moments into cherished memories. This rich, creamy, old-fashioned hot cocoa recipe brings comfort and sweetness to any day.

    overhead shot of a cup of hot cocoa, with two heart-shaped marshmallows floating on top.
    Jump to:
    • What's the Scoop on this Hot Cocoa Recipe
    • Homemade Hot Cocoa Ingredients
    • How to Make this Recipe
    • Mama's Homemade Hot Cocoa

    What's the Scoop on this Hot Cocoa Recipe

    When my oldest daughter was a teenager, I’d often stay up late, long after her dad had gone to bed, just to catch a few precious moments with her when she returned from a date or whatever else she had going on. Most nights, I’d have a pot of homemade hot chocolate ready for us to share, and it quickly became our little ritual—our late-night cocoa. When her friends would visit in the evenings, I’d make cocoa for them too. Before long, they started to expect it, even look forward to it, often telling me over steaming cups that my hot cocoa was their favorite. They’d joke that I should call their moms and tell them to “use more chocolate.”

    What I wouldn’t give to make those kids—now grown with children of their own—just one more cup.

    So, Leisha, Krista, Kirsten, Michelle B, Wayne, and everyone else who ever shared a late-night cup of hot cocoa in my kitchen—this is for you. Thank you for those moments you gave me, even the ones that ended with dry-ice explosions in the backyard. I think of you every time I drink a cup of cocoa, especially on these dark, crisp Friday nights after the boys of fall have played their games. I always will.

    Homemade Hot Cocoa Ingredients

    Homemade hot cocoa is made with simple pantry staples, plus your milk of choice.

    • Cocoa powder: We suggest using a natural cocoa powder, which give hot cocoa a rich, robust flavor. Dutch-process cocoa can give your hot chocolate a flat, uninspired flavor.
    • Powdered Sugar
    • Powdered milk: Sub in coconut milk powder for a dairy-free option.
    • Salt
    • Vanilla
    • Milk: We prefer using 2% milk. For a delicious dairy-free alternative, try using an almond-coconut milk blend.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    How to Make this Recipe

    Making homemade cocoa is as simple as whisking the ingredients in a medium saucepan and heating it all over medium-low heat. Whisk until it reaches the desired temperature.

    Serve with marshmallows and love.

    overhead shot of a cup of hot cocoa, with two heart-shaped marshmallows floating on top.

    Mama's Homemade Hot Cocoa

    A rich, creamy old-fashioned hot cocoa recipe, made with simple pantry staples and your milk of choice.
    Print Pin Add to Shopping List Go to Shopping List
    Course: Beverage
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time:5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time:5 minutes minutes
    Total Time:10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 servings
    Calories: 205kcal
    Author: Renee
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 1 medium saucepan

    Ingredients

    • ¼ cup cocoa powder
    • ⅔ cup powdered sugar
    • 3 tablespoons nonfat dry milk
    • 1 dash kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • 2½ cups milk

    Instructions

    • Combine ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
      Whisk frequently until it reaches the desired temperature.
    • Serve with marshmallows and love.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 19mg | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 413mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 370IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 266mg | Iron: 1mg
    This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
    Have you tried this recipe?Mention @TheGoodHeartedWoman or tag #thegoodheartedwoman!

    Love it? Pin it! If you love this old-fashioned hot cocoa recipe, be sure to save it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

    A cup of homemade hot chocolate warms both body and soul, and creates lasting memories along the way. | The Good Hearted Woman

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    About Renée B.

    Renée is self-taught home chef with a penchant for creating healthy(ish) comfort food recipes, and adapting vintage recipes for the 21st century cook. In her spare time, she writes unfinished novels and songs about cowboys.

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    1. Kayla says

      October 05, 2013 at 11:12 am

      I am in charge of a hot cocoa bar for a wedding shower and I was needing a recipe! THANKS!

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        October 05, 2013 at 12:22 pm

        What a great idea for a cold-weather wedding!! You could do all kinds of flavors too! I love that!

        Reply
    2. pech says

      October 04, 2013 at 8:59 pm

      What a wonderful story to go with this! I used to love hot chocolate in Chicago winters, or in ski lodges, nor sure why I never thought of having it more often. I will have to add it into comfort rotation and try this recipe with the secret of salt out!

      Reply
    3. Kaylyn says

      October 04, 2013 at 6:50 pm

      Super yummy! Thanks for sharing...enjoying some now and thinking of you.

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        October 04, 2013 at 9:16 pm

        ♥

        Reply
    4. Adventures in Dressmaking says

      October 04, 2013 at 4:25 pm

      Sweet story. =) I remember when I learned to make homemade hot chocolate when I was in high school--I used milk, cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla--and it was soooo much better than the storebought!

      I'm Paleo now so I limit my dairy and don't eat any processed foods, but I do love a good coconut milk/chocolate pudding or sundae with some nuts, frozen blueberries, or chocolate bits, and cinnamon on top!

      Things that take a little longer tend to be so much better! =)

      Reply
    5. Maggie @Maggiecooks says

      October 04, 2013 at 3:10 pm

      Yes! I can't wait to drink lots of hot chocolate this season! & Can't wait to try yours! 🙂
      Greetings from Mexico!

      Reply
      • Renée ♥ says

        October 04, 2013 at 3:54 pm

        Thanks for stopping by, Maggie! I just checked your site and pinned your flan recipe - I Looooooove making flan. I love eating it even more!! (I've never seen a flanera though - that's pretty cool!)

        Reply

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