The terms “hot cocoa” and “hot chocolate” are often used interchangeably, but there are technical differences. Hot cocoa is differentiated from hot chocolate because it’s made with cocoa powder. Hot chocolate, on the other hand, is made with melted chocolate, and because it is typically made with sweetened milk or dark chocolate, sugar is not usually added. If you want cocoa with more intense chocolate flavor, whisk some melted bittersweet chocolate into the hot cocoa or add an extra tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder to the sugar mixture.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- Miniature marshmallows, for garnish
Steps to Make It
- In a medium saucepan, heat milk to scalding.
- While milk is heating, blend cocoa and sugar in a small bowl.
- Mix about 1/3 cup hot milk into cocoa and sugar mixture and then pour cocoa mixture into hot milk in saucepan. Add vanilla and whisk until well-blended.
- Serve cocoa topped with mini marshmallows. Sift a dash of cocoa powder over marshmallows, if desired.