Memorize This Classic Cocoa Recipe For Hot Chocolate Any Time - Mother Cultured (2024)

When I was 14 I was enamored with Madeleine L’Engle’s Austin family series, and particularly A Ring of Endless Light. I swear this has something to do with this classic cocoa recipe, gimme a second.

In the book Vicky Austin is “almost sixteen” and is struggling to find balance between independence and fulfilling family duties. There’s also telecommunication with dolphins which is why 14 year-old Tara was so taken with this installment but I digress.

One of the small details that I remember vividly is that Vicky always seemed to be making cocoa. She could just wake up and make a real hot cocoa recipe- not Swiss Miss (or Rich Milk Chocolate Flavored Drink Powder if you were a Sav-A-Lot family like we were).

I wanted to be able to do that, darn it. And so I found the simplest cocoa recipe I could find (before the days of Pinterest, mind you) and committed it to memory.

I’ve since tweaked a couple of things but that original, simple cocoa recipe is still my home base.

How To Make Classic Hot Cocoa

1. Add cocoa, sugar and a small amount of milk to a sauce pan over low heat
2. Whisk until cocoa is incorporated
3. Add the rest of the milk and a pinch of slat, increase heat to medium
4. Heat through and serve- preferably with marshmallows 🙂

As you can see this cocoa recipe is as basic as they come. And so naturally I’ve expounded on it some over the years. Below you’ll find the measurements for a single serve size of this basic recipe as well variations for a more refined (a.k.a. not 14 year-old) palate 😉

Variations on Classic Cocoa Recipe

• My Rich Drinking Chocolate recipe- just tweak a few things to make an even more delicious cocoa
• Peppermint- add my Peppermint Syrup for a holiday spin
• Top it with homemade marshmallows
• Dollop on homemade whipped cream
• Decorate with sprinkles- or even dip the rim in whipped cream and crushed candy canes
• A Pirouette cookie makes a delightful straw- just don’t expect it to last long!
• Add a double shot of espresso for the best mocha latte

Don’t Make These Mistakes

• Adding all the milk at once. The reason for adding a small amount of milk at first is to make sure the cocoa powder stays smooth. If you add all the milk, the cocoa powder will float around in the milk and stay lumpy. Whisk the cocoa, sugar and small bit of milk until it makes a thin paste, then add the rest of the milk.
• Burning the cocoa. Heat the cocoa slowly and stir a few times throughout, scraping the bottom of the pan. No one wants burnt cocoa.
• Leaving out the salt. Even if you don’t love salty-sweet treats like salted caramel, this small amount of salt brings balance and makes the sweet chocolate flavor stand out.

Get Your Kids Involved

One of the best things about simple recipes is how easy it is to involve your children. I’ve encouraged my 8 year-old daughter to memorize this recipe so she can make it herself soon.

• Let the kids measure things out into a small bowl first. This way if any mistakes are made they can be corrected before everything goes in the pan- or all over the stove!
• Let older kids whisk the saucepan (with close supervision of course).
• Any age can help with the best part- decorating the glasses. Marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, candy canes, cookies and anything else that strikes your fancy.
• And then there’s the other best part- the taste test!

This cocoa recipe will become a staple in your house, and maybe even a holiday tradition like it has in ours. Grab the Classic recipe below as well as my Rich Drinking Chocolate recipe!

Classic Cocoa Recipe

Yield: 1 cup of cocoa

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

This Classic Cocoa Recipe is so simple you can easily memorize it for hot chocolate any time. Make a single serving or simply multiply it as needed- either way you can't go wrong with this delicious warming drink.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 Tbsp plus 1 cup of milk (divided)
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. In a small sauce pan, add the sugar, cocoa and 2 Tbsp milk.
2. Whisk over low until fully combined to make a thin paste.
3. Add the remaining milk and salt, stir.
4. Turn heat to medium and heat through, stirring often and scraping bottom of pan.
5. Be sure not to burn the cocoa. Once steaming, remove from heat and ladle into a mug.
6. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.

Notes

To make this a peppermint cocoa, replace with sugar with my Homemade Peppermint Syrup.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram

See Also

21 Mexican Christmas Recipes to Make This Year - Isabel Eats

See Also

25 Festive Gingerbread Recipes - Brighter CraftThe Best Spiked Eggnog Recipe - (Must-Try Tasty & Creamy Drink)37 Perfect Christmas Dinner Recipe Ideas from Appetizers to DessertsFlourless Mexican Hot Chocolate Cake Recipe - Rachel Cooks®

Rich Drinking Chocolate

Yield: 1 cup of cocoa

Prep Time: 2 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Expounding on my Classic Cocoa Recipe, this Rich Drinking Chocolate is even more delicious and decadent. Double as needed for multiple servings.

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 Tbsp plus 1/2 cup of milk, divided
• 2 Tbsp chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup half and half
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. In a small saucepan combine sugar, cocoa and 2 Tbsp of milk.
2. Whisk over low heat until sugar dissolves and cocoa incorporates to form a thin paste.
3. Add the chocolate chips, half and half, and salt. Stir until chocolate chips have melted.
4. Raise heat to medium and add the rest of the milk.
5. Heat through to steaming and ladle into a mug.
6. Top with favorite toppings if you like and enjoy.

Notes

To make this a peppermint drinking chocolate replace the sugar with my Homemade Peppermint Syrup.

To make a peppermint mocha, replace the sugar with Homemade Peppermint Syrup and add 2 shots of espresso.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram