This stovetop homemade hot cocoa is easy to make with just a few simple whole ingredients. It has no refined sugar and can be made with dairy-free milk. It has been kid-tested and whole ingredient approved. Perfect for warming up all winter long!
I am guilty of purchasing those convenient envelopes of hot cocoa mix for my kids! It wasn’t until after switching to a whole food diet that I actually read the ingredients: sugar, corn syrup, modified whey, cocoa, hydrogenated coconut oil, nonfat milk, calcium carbonate, salt, dipotassium phosphate, mono- and diglycerides, carrageenan, acesulfame potassium, sucralose, and artificial flavor. YUCK!
My teenage son is pretty particular when it comes to food. Of course, he loves anything in a convenient package that contains ingredients like the ones I just listed. He is usually not on board when I am in the kitchen trying to makeover one of his favorite processed foods. In fact, it drives him crazy!
I was shocked when he was open to working with me in my test kitchen to find a substitute for his popular envelopes of hot cocoa mix! After a little experimenting, we came up with an easy hot cocoa recipe using a few whole ingredients. And the best part…My processed food lovin’ teen APPROVED!

Easy Hot Cocoa With Whole Ingredients
This stovetop homemade hot cocoa is easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. It has no refined sugar and can be made with dairy-free milk. It has been kid-tested and whole ingredient approved. Perfect for warming up all winter long!
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk*
- 4 tsps unsweetened cocoa powder*
- 2 tbsp raw honey or pure maple syrup use more or less depending on preference
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
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Heat the milk in a small pot.
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Add in remaining ingredients and whisk until all lumps are removed.
Recipe Notes
That's it! I told you it was easy. Enjoy!
*You can substitute whole milk with milk of your choice.
Organic ingredients are recommended whenever possible.
Molly Wilaby says
Great recipe! Can’t wait to try it.
smallgesturesmatter@gmail.com says
Thanks Molly! I hope you like it!
Janie says
Made your hot cocoa in my Mr Coffee – Cocomotion – it was perfect 👌
smallgesturesmatter@gmail.com says
Awesome Janie! So glad you liked it! Great idea to make it in your Mr Coffee!