How to Make Hot Chocolate Without Cocoa Powder

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You can easily learn how to make hot chocolate without cocoa powder with only 3 ingredients! This hot chocolate recipe is perfect for cold days that’ll keep you warm!

Hot chocolate on a white surface with whipped cream and grated chocolate on top.

You’ll love this easy hot chocolate recipe from scratch that is rich and intense. It takes almost 5 minutes to make!

Let’s see the 3 ingredients for this simple recipe.

Ingredients you’ll need

You can find the exact quantities at the bottom of my post, in the recipe card.

Ingredients of hpt chocolate on a white surface.

Milk-I use whole milk
Chocolate– I prefer using chocolate with 64-70% cocoa. I find 80% a little bit bitter. If you want it without any bitter taste, I would suggest you use chocolate with 54% cocoa. Believe me 54% cocoa is sweet enough. No need to use any extra sugar.
Vanilla-I use pure vanilla extract.

Important tip

This recipe is very easy to make with 3 simple ingredients. You want a smooth hot chocolate without any chocolate pieces. In order to do that, you should chop the chocolate into very small pieces. This is an easy but important step about the end result.

Step by step instructions

First I chop the chocolate into small pieces. It is even smaller than the ones that I chop in my how to make chocolate ganache post. In the next step, I melt the chocolate with warm milk. So these small chocolate pieces melt easily in warm milk.

Chopped chocolate on a chopping board with a knife.

Then I place the milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When it is warm which takes 3 minutes, I add the vanilla extract.

If you prefer an intense vanilla flavor, add it at the last step, when you remove the pan over the heat.

Collage of adding vanilla extract into milk.

Finally, I add the chopped chocolate into the warm milk and stir with a whisk over medium heat.

As I cut the chocolate into small pieces, it melts very quickly.

At this point, you can taste it, and gradually add extra milk if you find the mixture thick.

Collage of stirring chopped chocolate and milk with a whisk.

I remove it from the heat and pour it into glasses and serve immediately. As I mentioned above, if you prefer an intense vanilla flavor, it is best to add it after you remove the pan from the heat. You give a stir with a whisk and it is ready to serve.

Overhead view of homemade hot chocolate in a glass.

You can drink this hot chocolate plain or add your choice of favorite such as whipped cream or marshmallows.

I hope you enjoy this easy hot chocolate recipe as much as I do!

Hot chocolate with whipped cream and grated chocolate on top.

Frequently asked questions

How to store

This recipe makes 2 cups but if you increase the amount and there is leftover, you can keep this cooled and covered drink in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can warm it over medium heat before serving.
It’s best to serve immediately.

How to make ahead

As it becomes ready in a short time, you can always make it fresh. But if you want to make it ahead, you can chop the chocolate and keep in a ziplock bag and use it when you want to make this easy hot chocolate recipe.

You should also check my other delicious recipes with chocolate!

I love hearing from you! If you try this recipe or my other recipes please leave a comment and give a star rating!

How to Make Hot Chocolate without Cocoa Powder

This homemade hot chocolate recipe is perfect for cold days! You need only 3 ingredients to make this easy and delicious simple winter treat.

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Course: Drinks

Prep Time: 2

Total Time: 7

Servings: 2 people

Calories: 473kcal

Author: Meymi

Ingredients

▢ 490 grams (2 cups) milk
▢ 130 grams(¾ cup) dark chocolate or semisweet chocolate, chopped into very small pieces*
▢ ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Place the milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When the milk is warm(it takes almost 3 minutes), add in the vanilla extract. You can add it at the last step when you remove the pan from the stove for an intense flavor.
Add finely chopped chocolate into milk and stir with a whisk until chocolate completely melts. There shouldn't be any chocolate pieces. Don't boil but remove from the heat once chocolate melts and it is hot enough. You can taste it and gradually add extra milk if you find the mixture thick. If you haven't added vanilla extract in the first step add it once you remove the pan from heat and stir with a whisk.
Pour the hot chocolate into glasses. You can drink it plain or add favorite of your choices such as whipped cream and grated chocolate or marshmallow.

Notes

*I prefer using chocolate with 64-70% cocoa. I find 80% a little bit bitter. If you want it without any bitter taste, I would suggest you use 54% cocoa.

How to Store: It’s best to serve immediately. This recipe makes 2 cups but if you want to increase the amount and there is leftover, you can keep the cooled and covered hot chocolate in the fridge up to 3 days. You can warm it over medium heat before serving. If you want to make it ahead, you can chop the chocolate and keep in a ziplock bag and use it when you want to make hot chocolate.

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