With all the snow and cold days we've been having over the past few weeks, I've been finding solace with as much comfort food as possible. A big bowl of gumbo or meatballs goes a long way in making me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. But sometimes I need a little more than comfort food. When my fireplace is revved up and the snowflakes are falling, nothing makes me quite as happy as a mug of warm, homemade hot cocoa.

A glass of homemade hot cocoa with candles.

Of course, the best, most comforting hot cocoa means it must be extra decadent, and that's exactly what this recipe is. Unlike most hot cocoa recipes, my homemade hot cocoa doesn't just rely on milk. I also use a little heavy cream, which gives this homemade hot cocoa a thicker, richer, more velvety body. When it comes to hot cocoa, I'm not in the business of skimping.

Hot Cocoa vs. Hot Chocolate

Considering that this is hot cocoa, my recipe also uses cocoa powder instead of melted chocolate. We tend to use hot chocolate as the blanket term, but there's actually a difference between the two with hot cocoa using cocoa powder and hot chocolate using melted chocolate. I love both and think it's fun to change it up.

You can use any type of cocoa powder you prefer, but I especially love using dark cocoa powder. I find the flavor is a bit deeper and richer, which is exactly what I want in my hot cocoa. Remember, it's all about decadence.

For this recipe, we'll use the stove, but you can even prepare a cozy hot chocolate or cocoa in a blender. See this Vitamix hot chocolate for some inspiration.

An aerial view of the homemade hot cocoa.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Not only is this truly the best homemade hot cocoa you could ever try but it's also a breeze to whip up. Honestly, you'll wonder why you ever bothered with prepackaged hot cocoa mix when this recipe is so easy and about a million times more delicious. Let's get into it.

To start, we pour milk, heavy cream, cocoa powder, white sugar, dark brown sugar and vanilla extract into a saucepan. You might panic when you see this clumpy mess of cocoa powder.

Tip: For a holiday twist, you can swap the milk and heavy cream for my favorite Baileys eggnog.

The cocoa powder in the saucepan before whisking.

But don't worry. Just keep whisking and it'll smooth out like this.

The cocoa powder whisked into the hot cocoa to make a smooth mixture.

Ahhhh! See? Photographic proof.

Now we simply heat the hot cocoa until it reaches a nice serving temperature. For warm drinks, that's generally around 160-185 degrees in case you want to get extra thorough and use a thermometer.

If we want to keep it fuss-free, we can pour the hot cocoa into a mug and enjoy as is. Or we can get fancy and rim our glasses with hot fudge, chopped nuts and cacao nibs and then top it with a generous heaping of whipped cream or marshmallows. Your choice.

Best Alcohol for Boozy Hot Cocoa

Want to booze up your hot cocoa for an adult version with a little added warmth? No problem. While this hot cocoa is amazing without the booze, I also like adding a little extra kick when I'm feeling peppy, so I consider myself an expert in this area. As it turns out, we have so many delicious options. Here are some I recommend.

Liqueurs and schnapps: Try Baileys, Kahlua, amaretto, peppermint schnapps, butterscotch schnapps, brandy, orange liqueur, Chambord or Frangelico. This Rumchata hot chocolate is a fun one too.

Hard spirits: Bourbon, dark rum, coconut rum or a flavored vodka work well. For the bourbon, I especially love my vanilla bean-orange-infused bourbon for a special touch, and a marshmallow or whipped cream vodka are fun for a flavored option.

OK, I think you have enough ideas to get you started.

The homemade hot cocoa on a silver tray.

Perfect Pairing

You might be tempted to go all in on the chocolate and grab a big brownie, but sometimes you can have too much chocolate. That combination would be overwhelming and possibly leave your stomach feeling not so great. Not the best situation.

Instead, I recommend balancing this hot cocoa with a light snack. Some spiced nuts with a touch of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves are perfect. Warm spices and chocolate were made for each other, and I love how the spices add some complexity and contrast to our dessert in a glass.

The next time you find yourself craving something warm and comforting, I hope you try this homemade hot cocoa.

Cheers!

A closer aerial view of the homemade hot cocoa.

Looking for Another Comforting Drink?

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