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–+ servings
A mug with hot cocoa inside. Mug says Pioneering Today.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Melissa Norris
Cocoa powder, real milk, sugar, and water come together for a creamy delicious homemade beverage
4.89 from 18 votes
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine America
Servings 4 people
Calories 382 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups whole milk you can use any type of milk you wish
  • 1.5 cups water
  • 1/3 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup sugar increase or decrease to taste preference
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • 1 cup cream (optional)

Instructions
 

  • In a large sauce pan on the stove add sugar and water. Turn heat to medium-high and stir to dissolve sugar.
  • Add cocoa powder and sea salt and continue whisking as the mixture heats up. Remember, you do have sugar in there, so you don't want it to scorch or burn.
  • Add milk and continue to whisk until the milk is just under a simmer. No need to bring to a simmer or boil, we just want it hot enough for drinking. Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Freeze Drying Instructions
  1. If making this for a large crowd or to have enough to freeze dry, times by three. Just warm the total liquid, no need to simmer if pouring into the freeze dryer.
  2. Place trays in freeze dryer (I have the medium size) and pour hot chocolate into the trays. Fill the middle trays of the freeze dryer more than the top and bottom trays to help keep the product from *poofing* out of the tray and making a mess. The middle trays don't tend to *poof* as much, so they can get filled fuller. 
  3. This takes up to 3 days to completely freeze-dry, it's not a quick one!
  4. Once the cocoa is completely freeze-dried, break off into chunks and run them through a food processor or high-powered blender until a fine powder. Transfer it to a mason jar with a lid and store it at room temperature until ready to use. (You can also vacuum seal the jar for it to last much longer if desired.)
  5. To use, simply add 8 ounces of hot water with 1.38 ounces of freeze-dried cocoa powder (roughly 6 3/4 Tablespoons of cocoa powder). If you want it nice and decadent, add a splash of cream to finish it off!

Nutrition

Serving: 12ouncesCalories: 382kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 8gFat: 29gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 180mgPotassium: 396mgFiber: 2gSugar: 22gVitamin A: 1171IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 257mgIron: 1mg
Keyword homemade hot chocolate
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