Hot chocolate recipes with cocoa powder
In cold weather months, hot cocoa is a must and this homemade recipe never disappoints. It’s creamy, chocolatey, and everything hot cocoa should be. There’s nothing like a cup of homemade hot cocoa made with real cocoa powder, sugar, and milk. It’s another reason we love the cold months! This rich and creamy hot chocolate recipe with cocoa powder is easy to make and has an intense chocolate flavor. Garnish with whipped cream or marshmallows for a cold-weather treat!
I’ve tested all the different ways to make hot chocolate and settled on this method as the best. Since I’m not much of a coffee drinker when I want something hot to drink I usually make tea or hot chocolate. Hot chocolate can be made in many different ways, beginning with either cocoa powder or actual chopped chocolate.
This Hot Chocolate recipe is just three simple ingredients. It’s quick, easy, and delicious, perfect for those times when you need some hot chocolate NOW.
Hey, friends, have a craving for hot chocolate but no hot chocolate mix in your cupboard? No worries, I’ve got you covered.
If you have milk in your fridge and cocoa powder and sugar in your baking cupboard, you can make and be sipping a creamy, fabulous cup of hot cocoa in about 5 minutes.
The weather is cold outside. The snow is falling. And a cup of hot chocolate will hit the right spot and warm the belly. Skip the store-bought hot chocolate packets that are filled with corn syrup and hydrogenated oils and make your own hot chocolate using cacao powder in minutes. Whatever you use, whether it’s cacao powder or melted chocolate, it’s healthier and yummier than any hot chocolate in a box! This recipe I am going to share with you is so simple to make. Basically heating up milk and adding powder and a sweetener. But you know what makes this recipe different than other hot chocolate recipes? It’s made with no refined sugar and uses cacao powder instead of cocoa. Talk about a guiltless pleasure.
Making Hot Chocolate Using Cacao Powder Instead of Cocoa
A steaming cup of hot chocolate is just the thing you need on a chilly autumn afternoon or cold winter night. There’s no need to grab that instant cocoa mix next time you get the craving, especially when you have a rich and comforting new hot chocolate recipe at your disposal.
There are many ways to make hot chocolate as well. From new ways to spice up your average cocoa to recipes from around the world, we have fun and delicious recipes for the entire family.
Let’s talk about cacao powder. For those of you who don’t know, chocolate comes from the cacao bean. Cacao is just the raw form of chocolate. It is considered a superfood and contains more antioxidants than blueberries. It’s high in fiber, iron, and magnesium. And is known to be one of the highest dietary sources for flavanols and polyphenols. Most cacao powder comes unsweetened, organic, and raw. Don’t think cacao powder is the same as cocoa powder! When cold-pressed from raw organic beans, cacao powder is cooked at a temperature of 120F, whereas cocoa powder is cooked over 300F degrees, so all the nutrients get burned off. I like to also put cacao powder in my morning protein shakes when I want a little chocolate.
What is raw cacao powder?
Raw cacao powder is a less processed form of cocoa powder. The beans are dried at a low temperature before being ground (which is why they’re considered raw). The powder is, therefore, higher in minerals, enzymes, and antioxidants. Even better, it also has a richer, deeper chocolatey flavor. I use it in all my baked goods
How to make hot chocolate with raw cacao powder
This recipe is super simple. First, you whisk the raw cacao powder into cold milk with a drizzle of honey, a splash of vanilla, and a pinch of salt (which balances the flavors) until smooth. Whisking the cacao into the milk before heating it allows it to dissolve completely (if you add it to hot milk it can clump up). Warm the hot chocolate on the stove, and you’re DONE!
Vegan hot chocolate
For a dairy-free hot chocolate, simply swap out regular milk for coconut milk. I prefer canned coconut milk (either whole-fat or low-fat) as opposed to boxed milks or nut milks because of its neutral flavor and silky texture (I find that nut milks can give hot chocolate an off-flavor, but that’s subjective). To make it vegan, use maple syrup instead of honey.
Mexican hot chocolate
To put a Mexican spin on this hot chocolate, add a sprinkle of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne before heating.
Can you make cacao powder hot chocolate ahead?
Yes! You can refrigerate the hot chocolate and simply reheat it before serving. The chocolate will settle at the bottom, so just give it a whisk or shake before reheating (I store it in a large jar). If you prefer, you can even serve it as healthy chocolate milk!
How to serve hot chocolate with cacao powder
Now for the fun part. You can absolutely serve this healthy hot chocolate on its own (which is how we drink it for breakfast). However, if you want to take it over the top (and who doesn’t?) you can dress it up! The kids beg for marshmallows, but as for me, I’ll take a billowy dollop of whipped cream.
What I love about making my own homemade hot chocolate is that you can customize the chocolate flavor exactly to your liking.
Want a dark chocolate drink? Add more cocoa powder or use less sweetener.
Want it to be sugar-free? Replace the maple syrup with your favorite sugar-free alternative. Because you can taste this mixture as you go, it’s practically fool-proof!
These healthy hot chocolate recipes with cocoa powder have a rich, chocolatey flavor. It’s far healthier than store-bought mixes, and it’s practically as easy to make!
