Craving cup of warm hot chocolate? Skip the hot coca mix! Here's how to make the best hot chocolate with cocoa powder, maple syrup, and milk! Made with simple ingredients and can be made with dairy or dairy-free milk.
Pour the milk into a saucepan, followed by the remaining ingredients: maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk the ingredients. The cacao powder won't fully dissolve in the milk just yet.
Warm the mixture over medium heat on the stove-top, whisking every couple of minutes to fully dissolve the cocoa powder in the milk. Once fully dissolved and warm, turn off the heat.
Spoon the hot chocolate into mugs. Enjoy warm.
Notes
Topping Ideas:
Whipped Cream: Add homemade whipped cream (made with heavy cream or coconut milk), or use your favorite store-bought whipped cream.
Dash of Cinnamon: Sprinkle the top of each drink with cinnamon.
Candy Cane: Add a candy cane to each mug. Or top each drink with whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes.
Chocolate Shavings: Take your favorite chocolate bar and a cheese grater, and grate some chocolate over the top of each mug. Fancy and delicious!
Marshmallows: A classic, of course! Add mini marshmallows or large marshmallows to each cup. And you can even make your own marshmallows.