Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to the best hot chocolate? ›

To make hot chocolate, bring milk to high heat in a saucepan, but don't let it boil as this will scald the milk and change its consistency. Once it's at high heat, add in room temperature chocolate and bring to high heat again, whisking in the chocolate until it's completely melted and being careful not to let it burn.

The source of the chocolate flavour is different. Hot Chocolate is made using solid chocolate melted in warm milk or cream. Hot Cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa with added sugar and dissolved in hot water or hot milk.

Cocoa Powder: Hot chocolate starts with cocoa powder, which provides a chocolatey flavour. However, hot chocolate mix is distinct from plain cocoa powder, as it often contains added sugar, powdered milk, and sometimes additional flavourings like vanilla or spices.

Sugar, Corn Syrup Solids, Dairy Product Solids, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil (Coconut and/or Palm Kernel and/or Soybean), Cocoa Processed with Alkali, and Less than 2% of Salt, Cellulose Gum, Sodium Caseinate, Dipotassium Phosphate, Sodium Aluminosilicate, Mono- and Diglycerides, Guar Gum, Artificial Flavor, Sucralose.

Flavorful add-ins can transform simple hot cocoa into something special. Sweet add-ins include marshmallows, whipped cream, caramel, flavored spreads, and maple syrup. To transform cocoa into a co*cktail, add flavored liqueurs or traditional spirits.

Unsweetened cocoa powder: a high-quality cocoa powder or cacao powder is essential. I highly recommend using Ghirardelli's 100% cocoa. I think it has the best flavor for hot chocolate (and trust me, I've tried quite a few!)

Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.

If you have a major sweet tooth, hot cocoa might be the better option. But if you're someone who enjoys richer flavors, hot chocolate is the better choice. Although hot cocoa is the sweeter drink, both hot chocolate and hot cocoa are full of sugar, so neither is really healthier than the other.

Eating hot chocolate powder in its dry form is not a common practice, as it is designed to be mixed with a liquid, typically milk, to make hot chocolate. Consuming dry cocoa powder without any liquid can be quite bitter, as cocoa powder is unsweetened and intended for use in recipes.

Does Nesquik make good hot chocolate? ›

Nesquik® Hot Chocolate drink mix is a great tasting hot chocolate that can be nutritious too! Nesquik wakes up your warm milk with a delicious cocoa taste.

To use it as a cocoa powder substitute, you need to use two teaspoons of hot chocolate mix for every teaspoon of cocoa powder in the recipe. It won't be as rich, but it will work. We recommend that you only use this method in an emergency baking situation.

Ingredients: Sugar, Water, Chocolate Liquor, Caramel Color, Contains 2% Or Less: Natural Flavors, Vanilla Extract, Salt, Gellan Gum, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate (preservative).

The "mocha syrup" in Starbucks hot chocolate is cocoa powder (similar to Hershey's baking cocoa) and sugar mixed with water. The hot chocolate is made with the mocha syrup, vanilla syrup and milk; whipped cream is a yes by default, but the chocolate drizzle seems to be at the barista's whim.

Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.

Hot Chocolate Flavor Variations

Here's a few fun and delicious ideas. Peppermint: Add one drop of peppermint extract into each cup. Boozy: Pour in a bit of bourbon or brandy for an extra fun night in. Salted Caramel: Dollop whipped cream (or coconut whipped cream) and drizzle salted caramel sauce over it.

Best Overall: Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa

This cocoa has a huge, rounded chocolatey flavor without leaning too heavily on any bittersweet notes or getting too heavy or rich.

The best type of milk for making hot chocolate is whole milk. This is because the higher fat content in whole milk creates a creamier and richer hot chocolate. However, if you are looking for a healthier option, almond milk or oat milk can also work well as they add a subtle nutty or oaty flavor to the hot chocolate.