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Creamy Hot Cocoa

See how to make creamy, old-fashioned hot chocolate. See more

READY IN 7 mins

Creamy Hot Cocoa

Read Reviews (694)

"It's old fashioned, it's comforting, it makes the kitchen smell wonderful and it's good for the soul." — JEANIE BEAN

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Ingredients Edit and Save

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Original recipe makes 4 servings Change Servings

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
3/4 cup white sugar
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup boiling water

3 1/2 cups milk
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup half-and-half cream

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Directions

Combine the cocoa, sugar and pinch of salt in a saucepan. Blend in the boiling water. Bring this mixture to an easy boil while you stir. Simmer and stir for about 2 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Stir in 3 1/2 cups of milk and heat until very hot, but do not boil! Remove from heat and add vanilla. Divide between 4 mugs. Add the cream to the mugs of cocoa to cool it to drinking temperature.

Kitchen-Friendly View

PREP 2 mins
COOK 5 mins
READY IN 7 mins

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This is sooo good! I, too, only added 1/2 c sugar. I never use half and half so I decided to use evaporated milk instead. I didn't want to waste the other 8 oz of evap milk so I just poured the 12 oz can into a 4 c measure and then filled with milk and heated it all. I didn't bother with adding some cold milk to the hot chocolate. Yum Yum, just what I wanted on a cool morning, thanks Jeanie Bean!

—GRAMSON

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Nov 12, 2004

pretty good, but very, very sweet. next time i'll add less sugar and maybe use unsweetened chocolate pieces instead of the cocoa powder.

—lalala71

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892 Ratings

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Jan 21, 2010

OMG - this is the best cocoa!!! I made it as the recipe stated and it was overly sweet for my taste. Then made it per the reviewers suggestions and it was much, much better! Definitely decrease the sugar to 1/2 cup; your blood sugar levels will thank you!!! Increased the vanilla to 1 teaspoon and a note of caution - DO NOT use cheap vanilla as you can taste the difference between good vanilla and the inexpensive type sold in the supermarket. You'll be glad you did... Thanks Jeanie for submitting this great recipe! Definitely a keeper!!!

—Crystal S

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Oct 24, 2005

I am sipping this cocoa as I type this review. It is very very good! Much better than any crud you get in the packets, you know that there aren't any dyes or anything artificial in this which is why I choose to hand-make our cocoa. I gave it a 5 star rating but it is very, very sweet! And I have a sweet tooth! ***AND*** I only used 1/2 C sugar. I would definitey not use the 3/4 C, it will be too sickening sweet. To make it less sweet you could either decrease the sugar amount further or add more hot water, I suppose. Overall great alternative to the store bought "stuff".

—adam

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Jan 13, 2004

This cocoa was indeed creamy and tasty. Although my family found it entirely too sweet. The second time I made it I used a little less than 1/2 cup sugar and it was much better.

—Mommyto2

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Oct 17, 2004

This recipe is from the Hershey's box with added sugar and half & half, that's all. Ironically, most cut the sugar to the same measurement as Hershey's. I must agree. I added 1/4 c of malted milk but will go with 1/2 c next time.

—RUBIES71

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Feb 01, 2005

Best hot chocolate I have made and I have made several listed on this site. I did reduce the sugar but then turned around and added some Starbuck's mint syrup which is sweet. Heavenly! So rich it tastes like melted candy bars. Very creamy! Mmmm....

—READALOUD

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Nov 03, 2005

Excellent and very easy.

—JBEANER75

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Nutrition

Calories
310 kcal
15%

Carbohydrates
52.8 g
17%

Cholesterol
28 mg
9%

Fat
8.7 g
13%

Fiber
2.4 g
10%

Protein
9.3 g
19%

Sodium
199 mg
8%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Creamy Hot Cocoa

Serving Size: 1/4 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 4
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 310
Calories from Fat: 78

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 8.7g 13 %
Saturated Fat 5.4g 27 %
Cholesterol 28mg 9 %
Sodium 199mg 8 %
Potassium 471mg 13 %
Total Carbohydrates 52.8g 17 %
Dietary Fiber 2.4g 10 %
Protein 9.3g 19 %
Sugars 47.7g
Vitamin A 10 %
Vitamin C 1 %
Calcium 36 %
Iron 11 %
Thiamin 10 %
Niacin 17 %
Vitamin B6 6 %
Magnesium 22 %
Folate 8 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.