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 is a substitute for cornstarch in hot chocolate? ›

Rice Flour or Arrowroot Powder: These can act as thickening agents, similar to cornflour. Again, mix with a little cold liquid to create a paste and then stir into the hot chocolate.

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

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.

How do you thicken hot chocolate without milk? ›

3 Ingredient Hot Chocolate:

Cornstarch: As discussed above, this is what thickens the whole thing, so this is a must. I use a big heaped tablespoon, make sure to whisk it in well to dissolve it, and then let it boil a little. Chocolate: This is the most important thing, so use quality chocolate.

How do you thicken hot chocolate without cornstarch? ›

A simple way to make your Hot chocolate delicious is by opting for full fat milk or a higher fat milk alternatives like coconut milk or even half-and-half this will naturally increase the creaminess and thickness of your hot chocolate.

How do you thicken sweet and sour without cornstarch? ›

Combine 2 tablespoons flour with every 1/4 cup cold water and whisk until smooth. Add the mixture to your sauce over medium heat, and continue to stir and cook until you've reached your desired consistency. Test with a spoon.

What is the best cocoa powder to make hot chocolate? ›

Unsweetened cocoa powder: a high-quality cocoa powder or cacao powder is essential. I highly recommend using Ghirardelli's 100% cocoa. I think it has the best flavor for hot chocolate (and trust me, I've tried quite a few!)

What does adding salt to hot chocolate do? ›

Salt accentuates sweetness and suppresses bitterness, while also functioning as a natural enhancer to bring out the flavor in chocolate. Simply adding a touch of salt in chocolate recipes can make the chocolate taste better by balancing out flavours and bringing out many subtle nuances.

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.

Should marshmallows melt in hot chocolate? ›

Not too soon into the hot chocolate

If you're serving the hot chocolate make sure to place the marshmallow men at the last minute. They will melt so it's best not to put them in too quickly. Mine slowly sank into the froth on top, which was actually quite fun to watch so another fun thing to look at with kids.

What can I use instead of 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. Just be cautious of using more strong flavored syrups like molasses or treacle, as that intense flavor may overpower all others.

What is the best plant milk for hot chocolate? ›

COCONUT MILK: Using lite coconut milk yields the perfect creamy texture and taste. It is neutral in flavor (the lite leaves no coconut taste) and it is neither too thick or too thin of a milk.

Should I add cornstarch to my hot chocolate? ›

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.

What is the best nut milk for hot chocolate? ›

Almond | This milk can add a nutty flavour and is slightly less creamy than most plant based milks, perfect if you don't want your hot chocolate too creamy. Coconut milk | This milk creates a creamy sweeter hot chocolate, this can add a slight taste of coconut. Soya | This milk is a very common plant based milk.

What can you use to thicken hot chocolate? ›

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.

What can I add instead of cornstarch? ›

6 Cornstarch Substitutes for All Your Cooking and Baking Needs
  • Potato Starch. Potato starch is the cornstarch substitute favorite of associate food editor Kendra Vaculin. ...
  • Rice Flour. ...
  • All-Purpose Flour. ...
  • Tapioca Flour. ...
  • Arrowroot Powder. ...
  • Xanthan Gum.
Jun 13, 2022

What is best substitute for cornstarch? ›

5 Best Cornstarch Substitutes
  1. All-Purpose Flour. Yep, that's right — all-purpose flour is a very stable thickener. ...
  2. Arrowroot Powder. If you happen to have this starch on hand, you're in luck: It has the same thickening power as cornstarch, and it creates a beautiful, shiny sauce. ...
  3. Potato Starch. ...
  4. Rice Flour. ...
  5. Tapioca Starch.
Jun 23, 2023

What has the same effect as cornstarch? ›

Arrowroot

Some people prefer arrowroot to cornstarch because it contains more fiber (1, 2). It also forms a clear gel when mixed with water, so it's great for thickening clear liquids ( 3 ). It's recommended to use twice as much arrowroot as cornstarch to get similar results.

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