Published Date: December 28, 2021 | Last Updated: April 19, 2024
I don’t know who needs to hear this but you don’t need a packet of hot cocoa mix to make hot chocolate! ☕️ It’s so easy to make at home on the stove!
You absolutely do not need a hot chocolate mix to make hot chocolate! It’s so easy to make it home on the stove and is probably a little healthier too! I always have the ingredients in my pantry, ready for when I want to whip up a warm treat.
Hot chocolate mixes often contain ingredients like vegetable oil and corn syrup, which aren’t the healthiest, or the tastiest, either! I like to make this at home without a mix with my favorite ingredients.
Ingredients for Homemade Hot Chocolate
Milk
I like to use whole milk for this recipe because the hot chocolate turns out so creamy and rich and delicious, but you could totally use your favorite milk, whether it be skim or plant-based.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
You don’t need anything fancy for this, just your standard Hershey’s cocoa powder. I’m sure you could try it with Dutch-processed cocoa or some other kind of cocoa powder if you want to be fancy!
Maple Syrup
The number one question I get asked about this recipe is: Does it taste like maple? And the answer is no! You cannot taste any maple flavor. It just tastes sweet. I like to use maple syrup for two reasons. First, maple syrup is already a liquid so you don’t have to worry about it dissolving like with regular sugar. Second, maple syrup has a slightly lower glycemic index than white sugar.
If you want to use white sugar or coconut sugar, you totally can. Just make sure the hot chocolate heats up enough for the sugar to dissolve completely into the liquid.
Salt
It might seem a little bit strange to add salt to hot chocolate, but trust me! Salt gives everything just a little extra flavor. I always use Redmond Real Salt. Redmond is a local Utah-based company. The salt is mined from an ancient seabed here in central Utah, so it is true sea salt. To make it more cost-effective, I buy in bulk and order a 25 pound bag of salt every few years. I store it in mason jars and it lasts me a few years.
My affiliate coupon code “AMBERSKITCHEN” saves you 15% on any Redmond products.
What to Eat with Your Hot Chocolate
My Sourdough Cinnamon Rolls or my Orange Rolls would be a perfect accompaniment for a delicious breakfast or dessert! Or, make some toast with my Cinnamon White Bread or Sourdough Sandwich Bread and dunk it in the hot chocolate!
Happy Cooking!
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do.
If you make this, I would appreciate a share! Take a photo and tag me. I love to see you all making my recipes in your kitchen. Thanks in advance!
If you want to follow along on my cooking adventures, follow me on Instagram @amberskitchen.
Homemade Hot Chocolate
Did you know you can make your own scrumptious hot chocolate?!
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Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup pure maple syrup or use sugar or even coconut sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a pot over the stove and slowly warm to medium heat.
- Stir often as it’s warming so that the bottom of the pot doesn’t burn.
- Once it’s hot and the sugar (if using) is melted and no longer course, then it’s done. Serve immediately!
Notes
I like to use whole milk but I'm sure skim or almond milk would be totally fine. I also like to use pure maple syrup just because it's a tad lower glycemic and has some minerals in there, but subbing it straight across for granulated sugar is totally fine.
