There is a comfortable feeling when you hold a cup of homemade hot chocolate. You can also modify it easily. For example, you can replace the milk with a softer or non-dairy ingredient, or add a flavoring extract, such as peppermint or almond extract to give the drink a more unique taste. Try adding whipped cream on top of your drink and enjoy the comfort and warmth of a cup of hot chocolate.
Ingredients
Classic Hot Chocolate
- 1,000 ml milk, half-and-half milk (milk and cream), or cream
- 100 grams of sugar
- 25 grams of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) vanilla extract
- Marshmallows for serving
For 4 cups (1,000 ml)
Soft Hot Chocolate
- 500 ml milk, half-and-half milk, or cream
- 2 pinches of salt
- 100 grams of bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate (with a chocolate content of 50-60%)
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons (15 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder (optional)
For 2 cups (500 ml)
One Serving Hot Chocolate (Using Microwave)
- 2 tablespoons (15 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1-2 tablespoons (13-25 grams) sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 250 ml milk, half-and-half milk, or cream
- 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) vanilla extract
For one cup (250 ml)
Step
Method 1 of 3: Classic Hot Chocolate
Step 1. Put the milk, sugar and cocoa powder in a saucepan
Pour 1,000 ml of milk into a medium saucepan, then add 100 grams of sugar and 25 grams of unsweetened cocoa powder.
If you don't have granulated sugar, substitute brown sugar, honey, or agave sugar. Keep in mind that these ingredients will give flavor to the final drink, so add according to taste
Variation:
If you don't want to use regular milk, try using half-and-half milk, cream, water, or milk alternatives, such as soy milk, coconut milk, hemp milk, and almond milk.
Step 2. Heat the hot chocolate mixture over medium heat for 8-10 minutes
Stir the milk occasionally as the mixture begins to bubble slowly. If the mixture starts to boil, reduce the heat. After that, reheat the mixture until the cocoa powder and sugar are evenly dissolved.
- Stir the mixture so that the cocoa powder disintegrates and dissolves easily, and the drink becomes frothy.
- It is important that you pay attention to the size of the fire when making chocolate drinks. Don't let the milk boil to prevent it from scorching and leaving a stain on the bottom of the pot.
Step 3. Add the vanilla extract and pour the mixture into the mok
Turn off the heat and add 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of vanilla extract or other flavoring extract of your choice. For example, you can add peppermint, almond, or coffee extract. After that, pour the mixture into several moks.
To make it easier to pour the drink into the mug, use a spoon to scoop out the hot chocolate and pour it into the mug
Step 4. Add marshmallows or whipped cream to the top of the drink before serving
You can enjoy the drink right away, but try adding a few small marshmallows or whipped cream on top of the drink to make it more unique and delicious.
You can also sprinkle some cinnamon powder on top of the drink or stick a candy cane to the lips of the mock
Method 2 of 3: Soft Hot Chocolate
Step 1. Chop 100 grams of bittersweet or semisweet chocolate bars
Place the chocolate bar on a cutting board and cut it into small pieces less than 1.3 centimeters in size. The smaller and finer the pieces of chocolate you prepare, the faster the chocolate will melt when heated.
- You can use any type of chocolate bar to modify the drink. For example, you can make a chocolate drink from white chocolate or milk chocolate.
- If you want to use unsweetened chocolate bars, you will need to add sugar to taste.
Step 2. Heat the milk and salt over medium heat
Pour 500 ml of milk, half-and-half milk, or cream into a saucepan and turn on the stove. Add 2 pinches of salt and heat the milk until small bubbles start to appear on the surface of the milk.
- Stir the milk occasionally so it doesn't burn and leave a stain on the bottom of the pan.
- If the milk starts to bubble a lot, lower the heat to medium-low.
Step 3. Add the chocolate chunks
Keep stirring the mixture so the hot milk can melt the bittersweet or semisweet chocolate you put in. The mixture will be a little lumpy at first, but will eventually become soft once all the chocolate has melted. You can heat the mixture over medium heat until all the chocolate is melted.
- The chocolate will foam up when you stir it with an egg beater. If you want a really smooth texture, use a wooden spoon to stir the mixture.
- The time it takes to melt the chocolate will depend on the size of the chocolate chunks.
Variation:
If you want to make a thick, European-style hot chocolate, mix 1 teaspoon (2.5 grams) of cornstarch with 1 tablespoon of cold milk until dissolved. After that, put it in a saucepan and heat it until the hot chocolate feels a little thicker.
Step 4. Turn off the stove and add the vanilla extract
Add teaspoon of vanilla extract to the hot chocolate mixture and taste it first. If you want a stronger chocolate flavor, add 2 tablespoons (15 grams) of unsweetened cocoa powder and stir until dissolved.
- For a little coffee flavor, add teaspoon (1 gram) of espresso powder and vanilla extract.
- You can also adjust the level of sweetness of the chocolate at this stage. Add more sugar if the mixture tastes too bitter.
Step 5. Pour hot chocolate into the mug and serve with whipped cream
You can also decorate the top of the whipped cream with chocolate shavings, cocoa powder, or a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
If desired, add a few small marshmallows on top of the hot chocolate in place of the whipped cream
Method 3 of 3: One Serving Hot Chocolate (Using Microwave)
Step 1. Combine cocoa powder, sugar and salt in a mok
Add 2 tablespoons (15 grams) of unsweetened cocoa powder to a microwave-safe bowl, then add 1 tablespoon (13 grams) of sugar and a pinch of salt.
If you want a sweeter drink, add 1 tablespoon more sugar
Step 2. Add 250 ml of milk
Slowly pour in a few tablespoons of milk and stir until it mixes with the chocolate and forms a smooth paste. After that, pour in the remaining milk so that there are no lumps of powdered ingredients.
For a softer drink, use cream or half-and-half milk instead of whole milk
Tips:
If you prefer, you can use an alternative milk, such as almond milk, soy milk, or hemp milk.
Step 3. Heat the mixture for 1 minute using the microwave
Place the mok in the microwave and heat until the hot milk and cocoa powder start to dissolve. This process takes about 1 minute.
If the milk isn't hot enough, put the mug back in the microwave and heat for 20-30 seconds
Step 4. Stir the vanilla extract into the mixture before enjoying
Carefully remove the mok from the microwave and stir the mixture. At this stage, you should not see any lumps of chocolate. After that, add teaspoon of vanilla extract and enjoy the hot chocolate drink that you have made.
You can add a handful of small marshmallows to the mug before the drink is ready to be enjoyed
Tips
- Try adding malted milk powder to the mixture for a softer drink.
- You can refrigerate the remaining hot chocolate for up to 3 days. Once ready to drink, simply reheat the drink using the microwave or stove.
- For added spiciness, add a little cayenne pepper powder to the mixture.
