Is there anything better than a steaming mug of hot chocolate on a cold day? There is something so rich and special about it, and it’s even better when it’s completely homemade.
Many recipes for homemade hot chocolate out there call for cocoa powder and nothing else. Some call for a mixture of the two. But you rarely come across a hot chocolate recipe that doesn’t use any cocoa powder at all – except for this one!
Oftentimes, pure hot chocolate can be a bit too rich, but I’ve managed to curb that here to still make a chocolatey and easily drinkable (dare I say too drinkable) beverage that’s sure to delight kids and adults alike. And for the adults, it’s particularly good spiked with your favourite spirit!
How to Make Hot Chocolate Without Using Cocoa Powder
This recipe is incredibly easy and comes together very quickly – which is good news when you want a quick sweet treat (especially around the holidays). It’s definitely quicker and less involved than something like my eggnog recipe.
The most “difficult” thing to do is chop the chocolate (use block chocolate rather than chips as the latter don’t melt properly). I like using an equal mix of dark chocolate and milk chocolate. This, I find, is the perfect balance of sweetness and richness.
Add your chopped chocolate to a small saucepan. If you want to add a little something extra, I also love putting in a bit of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper – those two ingredients are completely optional.
To ensure everything is just sweet enough, I also add in just a couple of tablespoons of sugar. Pour over an equal amount of milk and water and set it over medium heat. I use water alongside milk because, again, it cuts the richness of the drink.
Whisking frequently to ensure that the chocolate doesn’t scorch on the bottom of the pan, gently heat the mixture up so that the chocolate melts and combines completely in the liquid.
Heat the chocolate until it’s very steamy and just below simmering – this, I think, is the ideal drinking temperature!
Go ahead and serve it right away, topping with whipped cream or even some homemade marshmallows if you’re after something extra special. For the adults, go ahead and add a splash of a favourite spirit, if that sounds good to you!
You can also make this in advance and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. Simply reheat it on the stovetop when you’re ready to drink it!
Hot Chocolate Without Cocoa Powder
Ingredients
- 90 g (3 oz) dark chocolate 70% cocoa, finely chopped
- 90 g (3 oz) milk chocolate finely chopped
- 25 g (2 tbsp) sugar
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon optional
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper optional
- 500 ml (2 cups) milk (see note 1)
Instructions
- Add both chocolates, the sugar, the cinnamon and cayenne pepper, if using, the milk and 500ml (2 cups) of water to a small saucepan and set over medium heat.
- Whisking constantly, gently heat up the mixture and melt the chocolate. Once the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is just shy of a simmer, remove from the heat. Serve immediately (see note 2), topping with marshmallows or whipped cream if desired.
Notes
- Use whatever kind of milk you have on hand; whole milk vs skimmed milk doesn’t matter.
- The hot chocolate can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Simply reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until the desired temperature is reached.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Nutritional information is automatically generated and provided as guidance only. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
Homemade hot chocolate is such a lovely treat, be it for the holidays or any other special occasion!
Are you after a hot chocolate recipe that doesn’t use cocoa powder? Have any questions? Let me know in the comments!
