Vanilla Almond Hot Cocoa

Name: Vanilla Almond Hot Cocoa
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 10 servings (2-1/2 quarts).
Cuisine: Comfort Food Recipes
Ingredients: 1 cup sugar; 2/3 cup baking cocoa; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 8 cups 2% milk; 2/3 cup water; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; Miniature marshmallows, optional

Treat your family to this comforting, homemade cocoa as you decorate the tree or open holiday gifts. Vanilla and almond extracts make it taste even more special. —Vicki Holloway, Joelton, Tennessee

Ingredients

1 cup sugar
2/3 cup baking cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 cups 2% milk
2/3 cup water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Miniature marshmallows, optional

Directions

In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cocoa and salt. Stir in milk and water. Cook and stir over medium heat until heated through. Remove from the heat; stir in extracts. Serve in mugs, with marshmallows if desired.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup: 195 calories, 4g fat (2g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 151mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.

Originally published as Cocoa in Taste of Home December/January 2008

Reviews

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Average Rating:

JMartinelli13

Jan 9, 2019

So easy to make, and so delicious. It's also great with mint or caramel extract instead of the almond.
Naomi

Nov 18, 2018

Loved it omg sooo good
David12846

Dec 25, 2016

The ONLY hot cocoa I will drink. Tastes just like my Mother use to made in the 1960's. The almond extract really gives it that old fashion flavor. Do NOT leave it out. The only other thing I do _occasionally_ is add a small amount of amaretto while it is heating up, especially if I'm winding down for the evening with a special friend.
dwinokur

Mar 15, 2015

I loved this hot cocoa. The salt in it reduces the bitterness of the cocoa and enhances the sweetness (not sure I can put a link here, but search the internet on how salt effects food). If you want it less sweet and prefer your chocolate to be a little bitter, you could leave the salt out. As for me, it reminded me of the cocoa my dad used to make. Totally a comfort food.
Angel182009

Sep 20, 2013

I love hot chocolate and aside from my own recipe this was the best recipe I've come across. It's delicious. The next time I make this I will not add the almond extract. I like using almond extract but I did not like it in this.
fondant_123

Feb 8, 2013

Was so excited to make this recipe because there is a blizzard where I live right now. But after I tasted it, all I could taste was the almond extract. I also found it too sweet. I even cut back on the sugar too. I wouldn't make this again :(
happypuppy

Jan 18, 2012

I have never made a home made hot cocoa before, i always thought it to be time consuming and messy but it was very yummy and simple!! I will be making this again!
hwdog

Apr 24, 2011

I had to 1/4 the recipe, but it was still amazing!!!!!!!! This is epic hot chocolate! I will save this recipe and use it multiple times!
liztonlady

Feb 20, 2011

So much better than the boxed hot chocolate.Tastes so good on cold evenings!!
LauraManning

Dec 31, 2010

I also had to add milk because it was too sweet. For some reason mine had a chalky taste. Not sure if it was the cocoa or what.