Homemade Hot Cocoa – Barefeet in the Kitchen

Just three simple ingredients combine to create a rich and creamy homemade hot cocoa that tastes better than any packaged mix at the store. Milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, and sugar are all you need to make the ultimate comforting cup of rich cocoa.

You can serve the cocoa as is or top it with marshmallows, whipped cream, sprinkles, or even dunk a candy cane in it for peppermint cocoa. However you choose to serve the cocoa, it also earns a smile.

Homemade Hot Cocoa

Most of us grew up on the little packets of hot cocoa mix sold in stores. Whether we were raised in snowy weather or in the desert, those packets meant it was winter and time for fun!

There’s a lot of comforting nostalgia in those packets, but with just a measuring spoon and about 10 extra seconds, you can wrap your hands around a mug full of homemade cocoa that tastes infinitely better and fresher.

And while that is enough argument in and of itself to make this, there’s a bonus: this homemade easy hot chocolate recipe is much more economical!

I’ve been making hot cocoa (without the packets) for many years now and we love this peppermint hot chocolate too. (That cocoa mix gets bonus points for being a terrific make-ahead hostess gift too!)

And if you are making hot cocoa for the grownups, this high octane hot chocolate is a lot of fun for any adult occasion – with the addition of a couple splashes of Kahlua and vodka.

If you want to go to the next level with just one step, you can stir in a small handful of rich chocolate chips at the end. And the simple addition of homemade marshmallows makes this easy hot cocoa recipe worthy of a special occasion.

Hot Cocoa Recipe

To make this simple homemade hot cocoa mix, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Milk
• Unsweetened cocoa powder
• Sugar
• Optional: dark chocolate chips and marshmallows

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Whisk the sugar and cocoa together in a small saucepan until it’s even in color. Add the milk and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it is almost simmering.

Did you know that you can make hot cocoa in the crockpot? It’s an awesome way to make hot chocolate for a crowd during the holiday season or anytime you know people might enjoy a cup when coming in from the cold.

If you’d like to make your homemade hot chocolate mix recipe even more richly chocolatey, add the chocolate chips to the mixture when it is steaming hot and stir to melt. Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows if you love them.

originally published 12/1/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 1/27/25