Easy Homemade Hot Cocoa

At the first sign of snow, I begin to think about warming up with a delicious mug of hot cocoa!
Did you know that you can make your own hot cocoa that tastes better and is much healthier than using the hot cocoa mixes?


Store bought mixes or little packets may be convenient and taste decent, but they are often full of unwanted unhealthy chemicals. You can easily make your own rich and creamy hot cocoa in just minutes from simple staples you may already have in your kitchen.

Who doesn't love a mug of hot cocoa, especially when the temperatures are frigid or if you've been out in the snow?  Remember the song, " The weather outside is Frightful"? Hit the arrow to listen to it!

When I was growing up (in New Jersey), we had very cold and snowy winters. We loved playing in the snow, ice skating at the local log basin, and sledding on the neighborhood hills. After playing outside for hours, we would often return home wet and cold. When we finally went inside, we were always greeted with a sweet steaming hot mug of homemade cocoa.

Drinking hot cocoa in the winter is a tradition that I passed down to my kids, but I often felt guilty when I used the commercial hot cocoa mixes because they contain so many chemicals and additives. Once I realized how easy it was to make hot cocoa homemade, I never turned back. Below is my recipe using  unsweetened organic cocoa powder.

I've included options for a vegan version of hot cocoa too
There are many options if you do not drink dairy. Simply use one of the delicious vanilla unsweetened nut milks such as almond milk, cashew milk, or coconut milk.

Like Peppermint? 
You can add a little dazzle to your hot cocoa by adding a drop of peppermint extract! Otherwise, I like to add a drop of vanilla extract or use a vanilla flavored nut milk.

If you don't like hot cocoa and prefer hot tea read my post on herbal bone strenghtening tea

or my previous post on how to make  homemade Ayurvedic anise and cardamom tea. 

Ingredients: 
1 cup of milk or nut milk such as almond, cashew, or coconut
1 tablespoon organic unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon of dark chocolate chocolate chips
Stevia or coconut sugar to taste
Optional: 1 drop of peppermint or vanilla extract
Optional: whipped cream and chocolate shavings

Directions: 
Pour milk into a small saucepan. Add cocoa powder and whisk together. Bring to a boil and then turn off the heat immediately. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips, sweetener, and extract. Mix until chocolate chips dissolve. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings and enjoy.

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