Best 3-Ingredient Hot Chocolate with Cocoa Powder

My 3-ingredient hot chocolate made with real cacao powder is a deliciously satisfying treat on a chilly day. Put that powder packet away, girls! Make my hot chocolate from scratch, and you won’t go back!

Be Sure To Try My Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles Next!

What’s the Secret to the Best Homemade Hot Chocolate?

The secret is there is no secret! Throwing a few ingredients into a saucepan will make a superior drink that is way more satisfying than store-bought. That’s it! Using fewer but higher-quality ingredients will give you a delicious drink that you can feel good about consuming. With only three ingredients that are likely already on hand, anyone can serve this up at any time for any occasion. Now is as good a time as any. Go and grab some cocoa, honey, and milk, and let’s do this!

What is the Best Cocoa Powder for Hot Chocolate?

I don’t use cocoa powder; I use cacao powder. Cacao is the raw form of cocoa powder, and it contains a bounty of nutrient-dense antioxidants. Cacao powder is considered a superfood. It has some amazing health benefits. Cacao is known to reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure and support cardiovascular health. It can also help boost your energy/mood and improve cognitive function. As a cancer-survivor, I prioritize antioxidants in my daily diet. When I can enjoy them in a yummy treat like hot chocolate? Even better!

My favorite brand of Raw Cacao powder is Navitas. It’s organic, non-GMO, and naturally gluten and dairy-free I typically buy it at Costco, but you can also find it at Walmart and Amazon.

Purchase Navitas Cacao Powder on Amazon!

How to Make – Simple Hot Chocolate Recipe

Simple ingredients deliver in my go-to recipe for healthy 3-ingredient hot chocolate with cocoa powder. You won’t want to drink hot chocolate from a packet again after testing this out for yourself. My version is creamy, rich in flavor, and just as easy! Choose your ingredients and follow the steps below.

• Step 1 Milk: You can use any kind of milk- raw milk, plant-based, whole, the preference is yours. Raw or whole milk will give a thicker, creamier consistency. However almond or oat milk would also work well. Start by heating up your milk slowly in a saucepan and gradually adding the cocoa.

• Step 2 Cacao Powder: I recommend using raw cacao powder for all its benefits, but if you have cocoa powder that will work too. Add it to your milk and whisk your cocoa until it’s fully incorporated and heated through. Pour into a mug.

• Step 3 Sweetener: Adding honey to sweeten things up is just the way I like it! Honey is full of antioxidants too, and a great natural anti-microbial. Opt for raw, organic honey when possible or pure maple syrup as an alternative sweetener. I always put my sweetener in at the end and stir just before sipping.

Optional Hot Chocolate Toppings or Mix-Ins

I truly enjoy the simplest version of this drink. Usually we don’t consume extra fillers or added sugars. However, this is a great base recipe and is highly customizable. Want it even more chocolatey? Try adding Enjoy Life semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips. Enjoy a little spice? Throw in a dash of cinnamon, a teaspoon of vanilla or a drop of peppermint extract. Have a sweet tooth? Top with marshmallows, whipped cream, or chocolate shavings. Have a kid who loves chocolate milk? Don’t buy a store-bought jug laced with synthetic ingredients. Make this recipe and chill. Make a single serving, or make a large batch. Experiment and have fun customizing it to your occasion!

What I love most about homemade hot chocolate is how effortlessly it transforms something simple into something special. Whether you’re curling up on the couch with a book, offering a comforting after-school treat to the kids, or serving it up at the holidays, this recipe is guaranteed to be a hit!

Other recipes you might enjoy:

• Maha Lemon Ginger Honey Immune-Boosting Tea
• Antioxidant Rich Greek Yogurt with Berries
• Powerful Dried Fruit Leaf Tea for Healing
• Chocolate Dipped Nut Clusters