It’s the perfect time to start curling up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa. However, I often find that typical hot chocolate feels a bit overly sweet and heavy—particularly for my kids! After trying a ton of boxed options, I decided to develop my own kid-friendly healthy hot chocolate recipe.
I’m happy to say this one is a hit! It’s absolutely child-approved and a recipe my own four children ask for all winter long. Even better? It has just four ingredients!
I will note that this recipe is refined sugar free and dairy free. Because of this, it’s not as rich and chocolatey as some people may prefer. I find it’s the perfect amount of sweetness for children or those who are working on health goals, however!
Easy Hot Cocoa Recipe for Kids
If you haven’t made hot chocolate from scratch before, I’ve got great news: it’s not complicated! In fact, this healthy hot chocolate is so simple to make that it’s almost as quick as the store-bought packets!
In my home, a warm mug of hot cocoa is pretty much a necessity this time of year. Especially for kids, because hot cocoa is a very good motivator to stay outside longer.
You know when they want to come in after 10 minutes, and you’ve spent 15 minutes bundling them up? Just offer them hot cocoa if they stay outside a little longer. It works (almost) every time.
Ingredients
I have to be careful about what I feed my kids (and myself) because we all have food sensitivities. That means we can’t buy the store-bought hot cocoa packets, which are loaded with high fructose corn syrup and other ingredients I can’t pronounce.
So this year, when my children started asking for hot cocoa, I decided to create our own healthy hot cocoa recipe. I’ve come up with a few variations, but this particular version is a favorite with my kids.
In fact, they’ve told me it tastes just as good, if not better, than the old “store stuff.” (Score!)
Here are the four simple ingredients in this homemade hot cocoa recipe:
- Almond milk
- Cocoa powder – I use cacao powder
myself, but you can use baking cocoa
too. Cacao powder is more bitter, so you may need to increase the sweetener slightly if you go this route.
- Honey
- Vanilla extract
So simple and so good!
Instructions
Okay, let’s walk through how to whip up a batch of hot chocolate in just minutes.
Grab a small saucepan, and use it to heat the almond milk. Next, whisk in the cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla extract.
Make sure to whisk it well, so there are no lumps.
Alternatively, you can carefully pour it into a blender (or use an immersion blender). Just don’t burn yourself! Blend or whisk until it’s nice and frothy, then pour into a mug and serve.
See how simple that is?
Variations + More Hot Chocolate Recipes
- Peppermint hot chocolate: Add a few drops of peppermint extract while you are whisking.
- Creamy hot chocolate: Top with a dollop of your favorite whipped cream (use a non-dairy one if you want to keep this recipe dairy-free).
- Peanut butter hot chocolate: Yes, I have an entire recipe showing you how you can make a peanut butter hot chocolate!
Want even more ideas? Check out this post with the BEST Hot Chocolate Recipes & Tips For Giving Hot Chocolate As A Gift.
Now when my kids come in from playing out in the cold snow, it’s no problem to whip up a batch or two of this easy hot cocoa recipe! Enjoy!
PrintThe Healthy Easy Hot Cocoa Recipe for Kids
- Prep Time: 2 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 7 mins
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: beverage
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond milk (or your milk of choice)
- 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp honey or maple syrup*
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Warm the almond milk in a small saucepan, then whisk in the cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla extract. Whisk well to remove any lumps from the cocoa.
- Optional: place in your blender (make sure the cocoa isn’t too hot – you don’t want to get burned) and blend until frothy.
- Serve warm.
Notes
*add more or less honey, depending on how sweet your kids like it
Sabrina says
Love that you’re making it healthier! I usually just make a ganache and add more milk, but this is WAY healthier! Love it!
Jennifer Sikora says
I find that I love almond milk so much more in hot cocoa than I do regular milk. This is a great recipe and I cannot wait to make a batch for my family.
Mama to 5 BLessings says
What a great recipe. We use almond milk is a healthy creamy option. Your kids look happy with their tasty drink!
valmg @ From Val's Kitchen says
We love hot cocoa. I have a container of it in my kitchen all year round. Are you saying the honey is optional, if you want it sweeter?
Jennifer says
That sounds so good! I love to use almond milk in place of regular milk whenever I can.
Sharyl says
Hi Erick, I’ll be sure to head over to have a cup 🙂
Sharyl says
That should of said Erika! LOL
Erika says
Anytime, Sharyl!
I knew what you meant. 🙂
Girl says
Boo
Esther says
This looks great! Thanks for the idea – my daughter LOVES coming in from playing in the snow to a warm cup of cocoa. I would love to give her something better than the packets 😉
Rebecca says
I gotta ask- where’d the white embossed mug come from?
Thanks!
Erika says
Target!
Kelly Spears says
I was looking up healthy recipes for my toddler when I came across your hot coco. I enjoy this myself as do my children it’s yummy my eleven year old said..
Erika says
That’s great to hear, Kelly!
Joanna says
THIS IS THE BEST. THING. EVER. THANKS SO MUCH!!! Still using this recipe in April 2017. It’s not even wintertime, but I don’t care. I’m more of a hot-cocoa-year-round kind of girl 😉
Tiffany says
It’s super good but I recommend adding a some splenda (maybe around 3 packets) because otherwise it’s way too bitter
Ann says
Funny how taste buds are.We (me and the kids) think this is way too sweet.This probably because we don’t eat any sugary,processed foods.Please be careful with splenda,as it has quite a few side effect being an artificial sweetner.
Shannon says
Thank you for this!! It hit the spot perfectly! And it’s something my 4 year old can have and my hubby just might try, bonus!
Jahaira Luzzi says
This looks great. I’m wondering…doesn’t the cocoa powder have a significant amount of caffeine? Like too much for a child??
Erika says
I’ve never noticed any issues with my kids drinking this cocoa. If you’re concerned about the caffeine levels, decrease the amount of cocoa powder in this recipe and/or don’t give it to them right before bedtime.
My kids sometimes drink this in the evening and they have no difficulty going to bed.
Now me? I’m SUPER sensitive to caffeine and don’t drink or consume any coffee, cocoa or chocolate after 3pm, otherwise, I am kept awake.
Chelsea Green says
Loved this recipe!! Was fantastic.
Erika says
Aww yay! Thanks for letting me know, Chelsea!
Jana says
Do you use regular almond milk or unsweetened ?
Erika says
We typically use unsweetened almond milk, but regular almond milk would work well for this recipe too.
Leanne says
I dont taste the difference between this and regular hot cocoa. I use whole milk for my toddler. Keeping this recipe since I like to keep sugar low!
Erika says
Thanks, Leanne!
Holly says
This cocoa is so easy to make and yummy too!
Jill says
My kids loved this cocoa recipe – it’s easy and so delicious! Thank you!
Julie says
Thanks for the recipe and tips. My kids will love this too.