Drop everything and make this BEST HOMEMADE HOT COCOA. Check out my tips and tricks for the most flavorful and FUN way to serve hot chocolate! This is quite possibly the richest and creamiest cocoa I have ever made. And I lurve it. It’s like a piece of warm chocolate cake in a cup. Looking for the perfect cookie to dunk in your hot cocoa? You might want to try my Snickerdoodles or Sugar Cookies!
How to Make Hot Chocolate
The process is so simple! Seriously, once you try this you will never buy powder packets again. (In fact, I also have a homemade chocolate powder you might love.) Simply add all ingredients to a saucepan (following the recipe) and heat. I have doubled and tripled this easy hot chocolate recipe and let it simmer on the lowest heat setting. The kids come in from playing outside on a cold day and can help themselves!
Easy Hot Cocoa Recipe
I add something special to my homemade hot chocolate and that is marshmallows! Not after it’s made, but during! I add the marshmallows right into the pan when cooking. (Then I added more to my cup. That’s how I roll.) It creates this amazingly rich and frothy cocoa… the texture is like velvet!
Tips, Tricks, Variations
Another way to make this recipe even more amazing is using a dutch process or special dark cocoa. All the sweetness of the marshmallows really cuts into any bitterness and just leaves you with a perfect cup!
Homemade hot chocolate is 100x better than anything you can get in a can, and you can totally customize it to fit your tastes. Try adding a pinch of salt, a teaspoon of cinnamon or even a dollop of homemade whipped cream or peppermint whipped cream on top! Sprinkle with more cinnamon or cocoa powder for a decadent hot cocoa experience.
Try using whole milk instead of skim. My family prefers a thick, rich, velvety hot cocoa experience, and the higher fat content in whole milk certainly helps with that.
Can you make this crockpot hot cocoa?
Absolutely! Just add all ingredients (even the marshmallows) to your crockpot on low for about 1-2 hours. I do recommend doubling it for the best crockpot hot cocoa recipe.
Personalized Marshmallows
One thing that has really made my homemade hot cocoa recipe legendary is my personalized marshmallows. The recipe is easy!
You will need:
1 bag large marshmallows (I have used mini and they work great as well)
powdered sugar
non-stick spray
baking pan/cookie sheet
alphabet cookie cutters or any shape you prefer
Heat marshmallows in a microwave-safe bowl for 1 minute. Spray cookie sheet with non-stick spray and do a light coat of powdered sugar. Remove the bowl of hot marshmallows from microwave and stir until smooth.
Immediately pour the marshmallows onto the cookie sheet. Dip your hands in powdered sugar and press the marshmallow down into a flat layer.
Place marshmallows in the freezer for about 4 minutes. Remove and press your cookie cutter into the powdered sugar, then into the marshmallow. Remove your marshmallow shape and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Repeat until you have all the shapes you want. Place the personalized marshmallow into a cup of hot cocoa or place in the freezer until ready to use.
This trick also works with completely homemade marshmallows, I would just try to make the layer a little thinner if using cookie cutters.
INGREDIENTS
- 4 cups milk
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup good quality cocoa
- 1½ cup miniature marshmallows
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a saucepan combine all ingredients. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until the marshmallows are melted, about 10 minutes. (I actually had mine on the stove for about 30 minutes and I just stirred occasionally)
- Remove from the heat and pour into mugs.
