Hot Cocoa

Name: Hot Cocoa
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 5 cups
Ingredients: 1/2 cup sugar; 1/4 cup baking cocoa; Dash salt; 1/3 cup hot water; 4 cups whole milk; 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract; Optional: Miniature marshmallows, sweetened whipped cream or cinnamon sticks

Total Time Prep/Total Time: 15 min.

Yield 5 cups

Test Kitchen Approved

Making this hot cocoa recipe from scratch is almost as easy as preparing a store-bought version—but it turns out even more delicious.

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup baking cocoa
Dash salt
1/3 cup hot water
4 cups whole milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional: Miniature marshmallows, sweetened whipped cream or cinnamon sticks

Directions

In a saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa and salt. Add water; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Stir in milk; heat to serving temperature (do not boil). Remove from the heat; stir in vanilla. Whisk until frothy. If desired, garnish with marshmallows, cream or cinnamon sticks.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 211 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 27mg cholesterol, 125mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 1g fiber), 7g protein.

This homemade hot chocolate recipe will make people think you fussed, but it is so simple. —Cheryl Reitz, Hershey, Pennsylvania

Recipe Creator