Hot Chocolate Recipe – Homemade & Zero Waste – Waste free culture (2024)

Winters are great for snow, holiday lights, cosy fires, warm socks and what else… Hot chocolate!!! It’s just perfect to read a book or binge-watch our favourite series on Netflix accompanied by the hot chocolate on those winter evenings! Don’t you agree? And today I’m going to share the perfect hot chocolate recipe for those perfect evenings. If you have hot chocolate on a regular basis irrespective of the climate, you can go for the hot chocolate mix. It’ll be quite easy for you to make them when they are in the powdered form. Not only that, but the hot chocolate mix is also an ideal gift for your loved ones for Christmas or any winter celebrations. So, I’m going to share how to make the hot chocolate recipe from the scratch as well as the hot chocolate mix. I’ve also included a few variations of the hot chocolate recipe.

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Table of Contents

Hot Chocolate Recipe:

How do you make hot chocolate from scratch?

Here are the ingredients to make a perfect zero waste hot chocolate for your winter cravings.

Ingredients:

  • Whole milk/ full fat milk – 1 cup
  • Cocoa powder – 1 tablespoon (unsweetened)
  • Sugar – 1 tablespoon (powdered)
  • Dark or Milk Chocolate – a few pieces
  • Vanilla extract – 1 tablespoon
  • Marshmallows – As required (optional)
  • Whipped cream – As required (optional)

Instructions:

  • Take the milk in a saucepan and start heating it in the medium flame.
  • Add the cocoa powder and sugar to it and start mixing till you find no lumps.
  • Once the milk started to heat up, add the pieces of chocolate as of your choice.
  • Stir them till they are completely melted.
  • Add the vanilla extract to it and stir it well.
  • Now serve the hot chocolate by adding marshmallows or whipped cream or sprinkle some grated chocolate on the top.

Note: Here we’re using milk instead of water to get a creamy hot chocolate. You can alter the recipe as you wish. If you need a rich flavour, add more cocoa powder, or you can avoid the dark chocolate if you find the hot chocolate is quite strong. Just play with it. But try to add everything little in the beginning and then alter the recipe after tasting it. You don’t want to waste your hot chocolate.

Hot chocolate recipe with chocolate chips:

All you’ve to do is to replace the chocolate chunks with the chocolate chips in the above recipe. But if you need a rich flavour you can add both chocolate chunks and chocolate chips.

Healthy homemadehot chocolate mix:

Ingredients:

  • Cocoa powder – 1/2 cup (unsweetened)
  • Coconut sugar – 1 cup (powdered)
  • Milk powder – 1 cup
  • Salt – 1/2 teaspoon
  • Vanilla powder – 1 tablespoon (optional)

Instructions:

  • Mix all the above mentioned ingredients well and store it in an airtight container. Don’t worry, it won’t be spoiled. Since we’ve added milk powder you no need to add milk.
  • Just add from 3 to 4 tablespoons of hot chocolate mix in the boiled water. And give it a good stir and serve hot.
  • But I prefer milk than water because it makes the hot chocolate more creamy and delicious!
  • If you couldn’t find vanilla powder, you can always add a few drops of the vanilla extract while making the hot chocolate with water.

Storage:

Store in the airtight container in a dry cool place and it won’t be spoiled.

Homemadehot chocolate mixwithout powdered milk:

This hot chocolate mix without powdered milk recipe is similar to the above one! Just ignore the milk powder in the above recipe. You can store this in the airtight container. But make sure to add this mix only in milk to get the required taste.

Instructions:

  • All you’ve to do is heat the milk and add the hot chocolate mix in it.
  • Stir it well until the mix completely diluted in milk. Make sure not to boil it.
  • Serve hot with marshmallows or whipped cream.

Hot Chocolate Recipe – Homemade & Zero Waste – Waste free culture (1)

Frequently Asked Questions:

What can you add to the hot chocolate mix?

As I mentioned above, you can add marshmallows and whipped cream. To enhance the flavour you can sprinkle the cinnamon powder.

Can you use chocolate powder instead of cocoa?

No, you must use cocoa because the chocolate powder contains other ingredients as well. So try to use the cocoa powder to get the flavour of the authentic hot chocolate.

Is hot chocolate mix better with milk or water?

It’s absolutely best to have hot chocolate with milk. But if you had included the milk powder in the hot chocolate mix you can go with water.Hot Chocolate Recipe – Homemade & Zero Waste – Waste free culture (2)

Is Hot Chocolate Mix bad for you?

Yes, the store-bought ones are bad for you as it contains artificial flavours and dextrose which are not good for your health.

But if the hot chocolate is homemade it is good to go. Also, if you’re using dark chocolate in the hot chocolate recipe, awesome! The dark chocolate is great for your heart health. But make sure to eat less often (even homemade) as they are high in calories.

What to do with the leftover hot chocolate?

Couldn’t complete your hot chocolate in one sitting? No worries, refrigerate it once it reaches to the room temperature. Then reheat it and have it whenever you like. It’ll be good from 2 to 4 days.Hot Chocolate Recipe – Homemade & Zero Waste – Waste free culture (3)

Why do marshmallows melt in hot chocolate?

Like every substance, marshmallow has its melting point. So, in order to avoid that, you can do the following

  • Use large marshmallows to avoid the melting quickly.
  • Only add the marshmallows when you’re about to have your hot chocolate. That way you can prevent the marshmallows from melting in the cup.

How can I make hot chocolate mix better?

As I mentioned above, you can add marshmallows and whipped cream. You can also add one teaspoon of cinnamon powder to the chocolate mix. If you’d like to add nut butter (after adding the hot chocolate mix to the milk), go for it.Hot Chocolate Recipe – Homemade & Zero Waste – Waste free culture (4)

What do you sprinkle on hot chocolate?

  • Chocolate chips
  • Peanuts
  • Grated chocolate
  • Coconut shavings

There are more options. Why don’t you give me the suggestions in the comments?

You may also read:

Chocolate chip cookies recipe – Vegan | No Oven

Zero waste Christmas – A sustainability guide

Homemade Moisturizers for dry skin in winter

Homemade deodorant – Complete natural

Zero waste valentine’s day ideas

10 easy Zero waste swaps you can make today

Zero waste living | Beginner’s Guide

E-waste: Reuse, Repair, Recycle – towards zero waste

Remove stains from any coloured clothes naturally!

11 tips to conserve water at your home

10 best sustainability apps for a sustainable life

What do you do with old plastic? | Zero waste living

Zero waste hair care routine – Minimalism

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Hot Chocolate Recipe – Homemade & Zero Waste – Waste free culture (2024)

FAQs

What can you put in hot chocolate instead of marshmallows? ›

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. Other unique ways to liven up hot chocolate include adding coffee, spices, and extracts.

What can you add to hot chocolate to make it taste better? ›

The 15 Best Things To Add To Hot Chocolate
  1. Add an extract. A quick and easy way to add flavor to your hot chocolate is by adding a splash of your favorite extract. ...
  2. Sprinkle in warm spices. ...
  3. Mix in Nutella. ...
  4. Swirl in caramel. ...
  5. Spike it. ...
  6. Infuse it with orange. ...
  7. Swap regular sugar for maple syrup. ...
  8. Add a shot (of coffee)
Dec 4, 2023

How to elevate Swiss Miss hot chocolate? ›

Other Ways to Upgrade Your Hot Chocolate:
  1. caramel.
  2. a scoop of ice cream.
  3. cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla extract.
  4. orange zest.
  5. a tablespoon of fresh-brewed espresso or coffee.
  6. peppermint stick.
  7. dark, milk, or white chocolate shavings.
  8. coconut or almond milk (use in place of regular milk)
Dec 1, 2015

Can you use cocoa powder for hot chocolate? ›

All you need to make hot chocolate at home is cocoa powder, sugar, and milk or water. This combination is my absolute favorite, but I'll give you a few substitutions you can use to make this with what you have in your pantry right now!

Does adding marshmallows keep hot chocolate warmer for longer? ›

Loss says kitchen air produces an “evaporative cooling” effect as water is freed from the drink's surface and into the atmosphere. Since they're filled with air, the marshmallows could insulate the hot chocolate by slowing down this cooling.

Can you dehydrate marshmallows for hot chocolate? ›

These dehydrated marshmallows are pure fun!

Perfect for adding to hot cocoa, baked goods, and snack mixes, these crunchy sugar bombs are a cinch to make. Most of the time, our dehydrator recipes and experiments are done for the practical purpose of preserving food.

What is the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate? ›

Marshmallows: The Unsung Hero

Believe it or not, the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate is none other than marshmallows. These fluffy, sweet confections are the unsung heroes of the hot chocolate world, adding a delightful creaminess and hint of sweetness that takes the drink to a whole new level.

Is hot chocolate better with milk or water? ›

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.

Why does salt make hot chocolate taste better? ›

The salt in chocolate helps release chocolate's aroma molecules into the surrounding air thereby making its taste perception a multi-dimensional experience.

How to doctor up hot chocolate? ›

Add dark chocolate cocoa packets to the milk and whisk until well-combined. Drop 1 truffle into each mug, sprinkle with Maldon salt flakes. Pour hot chocolate over truffles and stir. Top each mug with marshmallow creme and toast marshmallow with kitchen torch.

How to make Swiss Miss hot chocolate thicker? ›

If the hot chocolate doesn't thicken, add a slurry of cornstarch and milk (dissolve ¼ teaspoon of cornstarch in a tablespoon of cold milk) to the hot chocolate and continue stirring over medium high heat until slightly thickened.

How do you take hot chocolate to the next level? ›

Hot chocolate is a guilty pleasure on its own, but spiked hot chocolate takes the treat to a whole new level. Just add a splash of Kahlua, bourbon, whiskey, amaretto or Irish cream.

Can I use Swiss Miss as cocoa powder? ›

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.

What is the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate? ›

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.

What is the best cocoa powder for hot chocolate? ›

She also recommends Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker as another solid option for natural—the 100% Unsweetened Dark Chocolate Cocoa Powder—and mentioned the King Arthur Baking Company. The latter has two Dutch-process cocoas she likes—the Bensdorp Cocoa Powder and the Burgundy Cocoa.

What can I substitute for marshmallows? ›

Sweet And Sticky Alternatives To Marshmallows

Honey and maple syrup are some of the more common choices, as they're less processed, but other syrups will work fine.

What do you spike hot chocolate with? ›

Replace 1/2 cup of the milk in your hot chocolate with a fruity red wine such as Merlot or Zinfandel. Amaretto or Frangelico: One is almond, the other is hazelnut, but both earthy and nutty liqueurs add richness and depth to a cup of creamy cocoa. Try whisking in a pinch of pumpkin pie spice or allspice as well.

What goes well with hot chocolate? ›

Here are a few suggestions to pair with hot chocolate to make it extra special:
  • Whipped Cream: A generous dollop of whipped cream on top of your hot chocolate is an all-time favourite. ...
  • Marshmallows: Adding a handful of marshmallows will add a little fun and a lot of sweetness to your cup.
Jun 28, 2023

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