Learn how to make a delicious, healthy hot chocolate with five simple ingredients. It only takes a few minutes to make and is perfect for a chilly day inside.

A blue mug of hot chocolate with whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top next to a plate of croissants.

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The winter months are the perfect time of the year to enjoy all of those cozy comforting foods and drinks. Some of our cold weather favorites are a Pumpkin Spice Latte, honey lavender latte and this healthy hot chocolate.

A hot cup of cocoa is the epitome of a perfect cold weather drink, and this homemade version will have you ditching the store-bought hot chocolate packets for good! Made up of only natural ingredients, you don’t have to sacrifice taste for artificial ingredients with a lot of sugar. 

Serve it alongside sourdough snickerdoodle cookies or a fresh sourdough croissant for the perfect winter treat. This easy hot cocoa recipe is sure to become a family favorite!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Wholesome Treat: This healthier hot chocolate recipe calls for whole food ingredients that are full of health benefits for your body. 

Fast and Easy: This recipe is super quick and easy to make. A handful of ingredients and a few minutes will leave you with a delicious treat that your family is sure to love.

Versatility: Make this homemade hot chocolate to your own unique tastes and preferences and top with whatever you like. Add a sprinkle of cinnamon, or garnish with heaps of mini marshmallows. Chocolate shavings or chocolate chips can add a decorative touch when sprinkled over a dollop of whipped heavy cream.

Ingredients

Healthy hot chocolate ingredients in white and clear bowls.

Milk: I prefer to use organic grass fed milk, but you can use whatever type of milk you have on hand. You can also make this dairy free by using oat milk, or another milk alternative.

Maple syrup or honey: Pure maple syrup and raw honey in their most natural form will have the most health benefits. I prefer to use these in this recipe as a natural sweetener. You could also use coconut sugar.

A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

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How To Make Healthy Hot Chocolate

Milk being poured into a silver saucepan.

Step 1: Add 2 cups of milk to a medium saucepan over low to medium heat.

Maple syrup being poured into a saucepan of milk.

Step 2: Add in the maple syrup and whisk in.

Someone pouring cocoa powder into a saucepan of milk.

Step 3: Add in cocoa powder and whisk until combined.

A hand pouring in vanilla to a saucepan of chocolate milk.

Step 4: Remove from heat and add in the vanilla and a dash of salt.

A whisk in a saucepan of hot chocolate.

Step 5: Whisk together and ladle into a mug for serving.

Two mugs filled with hot chocolate and topped with whipped cream.

Step 6: Whip up some cream if you want to get extra fancy, and leave a little room in the top of your mug so that it doesn’t overflow when you add the cream!

Tips

  • Opt for a whisk opposed to a fork or spoon to incorporate all of your ingredients. A whisk works best to make sure you don’t leave any clumps behind.
  • Use whole milk for a creamy hot chocolate. The higher the fat content in your milk, the creamier the hot cocoa will be.
  • Add extracts such as almond or peppermint for an added punch of flavor.

Recipe FAQs

Is hot cocoa better with water or milk?

Hot cocoa that is made with milk rather than water gives you a more creamy result and also has more beneficial nutrients.

Is cocoa powder healthier than hot chocolate powder?

Hot chocolate made with hot chocolate powder is more highly processed and has more added sugars and preservatives than hot cocoa made with all natural unsweetened cocoa powder. If you are looking for something with more health benefits, opt for hot cocoa made with all natural ingredients.ย 

How to store leftover hot cocoa?

Let the cocoa cool completely and place covered in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

More Drink Recipes From the Farmhouse

If you try this recipe and love it, I would love it if you could come back and give it 5 stars! Tag me on Instagram @farmhouseonboone.

Healthy Hot Chocolate

4.78 from 22 votes
Learn how to make a delicious, healthy hot chocolate with five nutritious ingredients. This recipe is so simple to make and only takes a few minutes. Whip it up on a cold afternoon and enjoy!
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Total: 15 minutes
Servings: 2 people
A blue mug filled with hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
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Ingredients 

  • 2 cups milk, organic and grass fed
  • 1/4 cup cocoa
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup or honey
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • dash salt
  • cream for whipping, optional

Instructions 

  • Add 2 cups of milk to a medium saucepan.
  • Warm milk over medium to low heat.
  • Add in cocoa and maple syrup and whisk until combined.
  • Remove from heat and add in the vanilla and dash of salt.
  • Whip up some cream to add on top if you want to get extra fancy.

Notes

  • Opt for a whisk opposed to a fork or spoon to incorporate all of your ingredients. A whisk works best to make sure you don’t leave any clumps behind.
  • Use whole milk for a creamy hot chocolate. The higher the fat content in your milk, the creamier the hot cocoa will be.
  • Add extracts such as almond or peppermint for an added punch of flavor.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 623mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 395IU | Calcium: 358mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4.78 from 22 votes (22 ratings without comment)

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27 Comments

  1. Annie says:

    Every time I make this, my husband and I canโ€™t get over how amazing it is!! By far the best weโ€™ve ever had.

  2. Gabrielle Casey says:

    wondering if this hot chocolate could be made in a slow cooker ?????

    1. Lisa says:

      That is not something I have tried. Let us know if you try it!

  3. Stacey A. Smith says:

    Trying tomorrow!๐Ÿ˜

    1. Lisa says:

      Hope you enjoy!

  4. Amy says:

    Looks yummy and healthyโ€ฆbut for the aluminum mugs ๐Ÿค”๐Ÿ˜ฌ Cannot wait to try thanks!

    1. Lisa says:

      It was just for the pictures. Cute mugs = cute pictures haha. I don’t usually use aluminum.

  5. Kiim says:

    This Hot Chocolate is AMAZING! I don’t drink coffee and so I love a good hot chocolate! I will be making this more for my family and friends! Thank you!

    1. Lisa says:

      So glad you enjoyed it!

  6. Laura Nelson says:

    Really like the mugs. Could you share the link for them? Thanks so much.

    1. Marleen says:

      I live 20 minutes from Washington MO. Where do you get your raw milk from? Also, what brand of cocoa do you use?

      1. Lisa says:

        We have our own dairy cows now, but you can look on realmilk.com for a farmer near you.