The air is cooling, and it will soon be time to warm up with hot cocoa. Personally, I like homemade hot cocoa that is as easy as a powdered mix, coconut milk, and hot water. However, I like to make the powder myself. Homemade hot cocoa has a few advantages. First, you avoid the con syrup and hydrogenated vegetable oil ingredients that often come with packages. Second, you get to control the sugar level.
These three recipes are reminiscent of ancient hot chocolate beverages enjoyed in other countries. Simply mix the following powders into a cup of warm coconut milk, either canned or homemade, and enjoy. The powders store easily in a tin can or glass jar, so make a batch or two of each and keep them on hand.
Spicy Hot Cocoa
- 2 cups baker’s cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon nutmeg
- 1 cup granulated sugar of choice or powdered sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 tablespoon ground anjo (sweet) ground chili powder
Chai Hot Cocoa
- 1 cup baker’s cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar of choice or powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground clove
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ½ teaspoon ground black peppercorns
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Mexican Spiced Hot Cocoa
- 1 cup baker’s cocoa powder
- 1 cup granulated sugar of choice or powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon dried vanilla powder or vanilla beans
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
How to Make Homemade Hot Cocoa
- Choose one of the above recipes and mix thoroughly in a large bowl with a whisk until completely mixed together.
- Add more sugar if desired. Store in a jar or tin until ready to use.
- Heat 1 can of coconut cream and one can of water until it begins to let off steam.
- Mix four to six tablespoons of the cocoa powder mixture into the heated coconut milk with a whisk.
- Add more or less to suit personal taste.
- Ladle into cocoa mugs and serve.
Alternately, heat just one serving by adding half a cup of coconut milk to half a cup of water and mix enough for one serving. Make hot cocoa to go by mixing equal parts hot cocoa mix above with powdered coffee creamer and placing a couple of tablespoons in snack-size zipper bags. Add to warm milk or hot coffee as desired.
Enjoy with a delicious cookie or cookie dough!
Aimee @ like mother like daughter says
Yum! I love hot cocoa, but have never made my own mix. Can’t wait to try these!
Erlene says
We love hot cocoa. Thanks for the recipes.
Jane says
I am a huge fan of hot chocolate! I probably drink way too much of it in the winter. Great recipes, thanks for sharing these!
Kristen says
Do you know how jealous I am of this?! I live in South Florida where the thought of hot cocoa is about 3 months away! But great recipes!
Michelle says
My roommate loves hot chocolate so I’ll have to share these with her.