Cacao Powder Hot Chocolate

The next time you want to warm up with a cozy drink, try cacao powder hot chocolate (you read that right, it’s cacao, not cocoa). This hot chocolate recipe takes five minutes to prepare and is made with four ingredients: milk, cacao powder, maple syrup and vanilla extract.

Cacao powder tastes more bitter and has a stronger chocolate flavor than regular cocoa powder, making it the perfect drink for dark chocolate lovers. However, that’s not the only difference between cacao and cocoa powder. Due to the way it’s processed, cacao powder contains more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants than cocoa powder.

This cacao powder hot chocolate is also free of refined sugar, so it’s a good option if you prefer using natural sweeteners or are simply looking for a more nutritious way to enjoy chocolate in liquid form.

How to Make Hot Chocolate with Cacao Powder

The steps to making a hot chocolate recipe with cacao powder are the same as those for traditional hot cocoa. You’ll heat your choice of milk with the cacao powder in a saucepan on the stovetop until they’re warm and steaming. The biggest tip for success here is to use medium heat and stir frequently to prevent the milk from boiling. If the milk gets too hot, it can scorch or develop a skin that floats on top, and neither makes for a good cup of cocoa!

Once the milk and cacao are warm, remove the saucepan from the heat and add your choice of sweetener—like maple syrup or honey—and a bit of vanilla extract. Then, customize your cacao powder hot chocolate with all your favorite cocoa toppings and add-ins.

This recipe makes two servings of hot chocolate, but it can be cut in half if you want a single serving. To scale up the recipe, use 3/4 cup of milk, 1 tablespoon of cacao powder and 1 tablespoon of sweetener for each additional serving of hot chocolate.

Ingredients for Cacao Powder Hot Chocolate

Ellie Crowley for Taste of Home

• Milk: Milk serves as the base of this hot chocolate, giving it a smooth and creamy texture. We’re using 2% milk, but you could swap it for whole milk for more richness. If you need a lactose-free hot chocolate, substitute unsweetened non-dairy milk. I prefer soy and coconut milk for drinks since they have a thicker and creamier texture than other types of nut milk.
• Cacao powder: This is the star ingredient when it comes to rich chocolatey flavor. Not to be confused with cocoa powder, cacao powder is raw (unroasted) and undergoes less processing than cocoa powder, resulting in more flavor and retained nutrients.
• Sweetener: Our cacao powder hot chocolate is naturally sweetened with your choice of honey or maple syrup. Either will add complementary flavor and help balance the bitterness of the unsweetened cacao powder. Honey will add a light, floral flavor, while maple syrup delivers warm caramel notes.
• Vanilla: A splash of pure or homemade vanilla extract enhances the smell and flavor of the hot chocolate. We add the vanilla once the hot chocolate has been removed from the heat to preserve its signature scent and flavor. Vanilla extract is alcohol-based, and heating it causes the alcohol to evaporate, which can diminish the vanilla flavor.

Directions

Step 1: Warm the milk and cacao powder

In a small saucepan, heat the milk and cacao powder over medium heat just until the mixture comes to a simmer, stirring constantly.

Editor’s Tip: It may be tempting to crank up the heat, but slowly heating the milk over a lower setting will prevent it from scorching.

Step 2: Add the sweetener and vanilla

Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the honey or maple syrup and vanilla extract, and stir until the hot chocolate is smooth.

Editor’s Tip: To enhance the chocolate flavor, try adding a pinch of salt or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon.

Step 3: Serve

Divide the hot chocolate between two mugs and serve it warm.

Editor’s Tip: Saucepans with a built-in spout make pouring from pot to mug easy without spills and splatters. A ladle can also be handy for transferring the hot chocolate into serving mugs.

Ellie Crowley for Taste of Home

Recipe Variations

• Add some spice: I love dusting a cup of cocoa with cinnamon, but you could also add a cinnamon stick to the pan to infuse the milk with spicy flavor as it heats. Pumpkin pie spice would give you even more delicious warmth and flavor. For a spicy kick, take inspiration from Mexican hot chocolate and add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
• Experiment with extracts: Add a dash of peppermint extract for a minty holiday hot chocolate, or try almond or hazelnut extract for a hint of nuttiness.
• Customize it with toppings: No cup of cocoa is complete without a few marshmallows or a dollop of whipped cream! You could also add a drizzle of chocolate syrup, a peppermint stick or some fun sprinkles. If you prefer less sweet toppings, try unsweetened shredded coconut, cacao nibs or shaved bittersweet chocolate.
• Serve a crowd: Scale the recipe up and warm the hot chocolate in a slow cooker or hot drink dispenser.

How to Store Cacao Powder Hot Chocolate

If you’re drinking only one serving of this hot chocolate, you can store the remainder in the fridge for another day. Let the hot chocolate cool, then store it in a sealed container (like a mason jar) in the refrigerator for two to three days.

How do you reheat hot chocolate with cacao powder?

Pour the hot chocolate into a saucepan and warm it over medium heat on the stovetop until it’s steaming. The speedier option is to pour it into a microwave-safe mug and heat it until it’s warm.

Cacao Powder Hot Chocolate Tips

Ellie Crowley for Taste of Home

Is cacao powder hot chocolate healthy?

This cacao powder hot chocolate contains all-natural, nutritious ingredients and less added sugar than most store-bought mixes. The cacao powder is a good source of antioxidants, which support immunity and overall health, as well as minerals, including magnesium, potassium and calcium, that support muscle, brain and heart health. The milk in this recipe is also a good source of calcium and protein for healthy bones, teeth and muscles.

Can you put cacao powder in hot water to make hot chocolate?

Yes, you can make hot chocolate with cacao powder and hot water. A water-based drink will have a lighter and thinner consistency than this cacao powder hot chocolate recipe, which is made with all milk. You could add a splash of milk for a hint of creaminess.

Can you add chocolate to hot chocolate with cacao powder?

You can add chopped chocolate or chocolate chips to this recipe for a more decadent hot chocolate. The added chocolate will create a thicker drink with a velvety texture and make your hot chocolate taste even more chocolatey! After you’ve whisked the cacao powder into the milk, add milk, dark or semisweet chocolate to the saucepan and allow it to melt. You may need to omit or use less sweetener if you use sweetened chocolate.

Why is my cacao powder hot chocolate clumping?

Cacao powder contains fat that resists dissolving when added to a liquid. If it’s not mixed correctly, the cacao powder can clump together, creating lumps in your hot chocolate. The best way to combine the cacao powder and milk in this recipe is using a whisk or handheld milk frother. Adding the cacao powder slowly to the milk, versus dumping it all in at once, can also help reduce clumping.