Homestyle Hot Cocoa

Name: Homestyle Hot Cocoa
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 4 cups
Ingredients: ½ cup white sugar; ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder; ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1 pinch salt; ⅓ cup boiling water; 3 cups milk; 1 cup half-and-half, divided; ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract; 8 large marshmallows

Rating: 4.77 stars

87 Ratings
67 Reviews
22 Photos

Growing up in snowy Canadian winters, my mom would always make my brothers and me hot cocoa after a night of tobogganing. When I got older - and had long since abandoned real cocoa for the instant variety - I had a craving one night for a more wholesome treat. Here's my recipe for a creamier, homestyle cup of cocoa. Perfect for those snowy winter nights!

By Katherine.Ann

Gallery

Recipe Summary

prep:

5 mins

cook:

5 mins

total:

10 mins

Servings:

Yield:

4 cups

Nutrition Info

Ingredients

Original recipe yields 4 servings

The ingredient list now reflects the servings specified

½ cup white sugar
⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 pinch salt
⅓ cup boiling water
3 cups milk
1 cup half-and-half, divided
¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
8 large marshmallows (Optional)

Directions

Step 1

Whisk together sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and salt in a saucepan; stir in boiling water. Whisk until sugar is dissolved.

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Step 2

Bring cocoa mixture to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes; stir milk and 1/2 cup half-and-half into water mixture. Cook and stir just until hot, about 2 minutes. Remove saucepan from heat; stir in remaining half-and-half and vanilla extract.
Step 3

Divide cocoa into mugs, top with marshmallows, and serve.

Cook's Note:

Ground cinnamon may also be omitted in place of a whole cinnamon stick, used to garnish.

Nutrition Facts

Per Serving:

332 calories; protein 9.5g 19% DV; carbohydrates 51.9g 17% DV; fat 11.6g 18% DV; cholesterol 37mg 12% DV; sodium 152.3mg 6% DV. Full Nutrition

Reviews (67)

Most helpful positive review

Sarah Jo

11/18/2013

I followed the recipe exact, only omitting the cinnamon. Delicious hot chocolate recipe but it could use a little more chocolate, in my opinion. Very creamy. Read More

Helpful

(14)

Most helpful critical review

Cook for 5

02/28/2017

I didn't have half-and-half or straight cream so I decided to skip it. Depending on how chocolatey you like your cocoa from my personal opinion I think it was very chocolatey. I love chocolatey hot cocoa but this one was a little off it could have been from me skipping the half-and-half. To make it not so chocolatey I put 3 tablespoons of water(in my one helping) and 5 tablespoons of whipped cream. It helped but not as much because it tasted like watered down hot cocoa. I personaly would not make this again. One of my favorite recipes for hot cocoa is Classic Hot Chocolate from Food Network; Yeilds: 4-6 servings Ingredients: 3 cups milk 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 1 pinch Kosher salt 6 ounces milk chocolate chopped 1 tsp pure vanilla extract Marshmallows or whipped cream for topping Directions: 1. Combine milk heavy cream sugar cocoa powder and salt in a medium saucepan. 2. Cook over medium heat whisking occasionally until the sugar and cocoa powder dissolve and the milk is steaming; do not boil. 3. Whisk in half of the chopped chocolate until melted then whisk in the remaining chocolate until smooth. 4. Remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla. 5. Pour into mugs top with marshmallows or whipped cream and enjoy! Read More

Helpful

(1)

87 Ratings

5 star values: 73
4 star values: 10
3 star values: 2
2 star values: 2
1 star values: 0

Reviews: Most Helpful

Most Helpful Most Positive Least Positive Newest

Sarah Jo

11/18/2013

I followed the recipe exact, only omitting the cinnamon. Delicious hot chocolate recipe but it could use a little more chocolate, in my opinion. Very creamy. Read More

Helpful

(14)

Mary Jo

12/11/2013

I tripled this recipe & used skim milk with the half and half. I slightly decreased the milk after reading other reviews. I also added a bit more cocoa. I did add about a 1/4 cup of dark chocolate chips when adding the milk & half and half. The dark chocolate chips melted into the mixture as I was stirring and they gave the hot chocolate a rich chocolate flavor. I can't wait to share a cup of cocoa with my husband who has been out plowing snow on this frigid December day. Thanks Katherine-Ann! Read More

Helpful

(8)

Carri Borup Crawford

12/21/2013

yum! I didnt have any half n half so i just used more milk tastes great Read More

Helpful

(8)

House of Aqua

12/01/2013

This is most definitely a 5 star recipe. The chocolate sauce is very rich and the addition of cinnamon and vanilla make this recipe a keeper. I highly recommend it! Thanks for sharing! Read More

Helpful

(5)

Timberweave

11/27/2013

I made this recipe to spec. I am incredibly picky on hot chocolate. This is a two thumbs up recipe. A new favorite for my recipr book. Read More

Helpful

(4)

organic mama

01/20/2015

The best hot chocolate on the planet! Thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe. Read More

Helpful

(4)

jdiek

12/07/2013

Wonderful! I even used 1% milk and no-fat half and half. Will definitely make many times more. Read More

Helpful

(4)

clafrancis1980

10/15/2016

Tastes! The family loved it! The perfect end to a cold day! Read More

Helpful

(2)

Beth

01/07/2017

I skipped the half n half and used a bit more cinnamon. Yum! Read More

Helpful

(2)

Cook for 5

02/28/2017

Helpful

(1)

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Nutritional Information

Homestyle Hot Cocoa

Servings Per Recipe: 4
Calories: 331.6

% Daily Value *

protein: 19 %

carbohydrates: 17 %

exchange other carbs:

dietary fiber: 10 %

sugars:

fat: 18 %

saturated fat: 36 %

cholesterol: 12 %

vitamin a iu: 11 %

niacin equivalents: 18 %

vitamin b6: 6 %

vitamin c: 2 %

folate: 3 %

calcium: 29 %

iron: 6 %

magnesium: 22 %

potassium: 13 %

sodium: 6 %

thiamin: 10 %

calories from fat:

percent of calories from carbs:

percent of calories from fat:

percent of calories from protein:

percent of calories from sat fat:

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

**Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.

(-)Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.

Reviews for: Photos of Homestyle Hot Cocoa

1 of 67

All Reviews

Sarah Jo

11/18/2013

I followed the recipe exact, only omitting the cinnamon. Delicious hot chocolate recipe but it could use a little more chocolate, in my opinion. Very creamy.

Helpful

(14)

Mary Jo

12/11/2013

Helpful

(8)

Carri Borup Crawford

12/21/2013

yum! I didnt have any half n half so i just used more milk tastes great

Helpful

(8)

House of Aqua

12/01/2013

This is most definitely a 5 star recipe. The chocolate sauce is very rich and the addition of cinnamon and vanilla make this recipe a keeper. I highly recommend it! Thanks for sharing!

Helpful

(5)

Timberweave