Microwave Hot Cocoa (3 Ingredients and Dairy-Free)

Why try the microwave hot cocoa

• It’s incredibly easy to put together and it only takes three ingredients.  
• It takes as long as the store-bought package stuff to make but without the funny ingredients.
• You can make it in the microwave or on the stove.
• Make a single serving or a large batch, if you do make a large batch I suggest using the stovetop method.
• The customizable options are endless.

Frequently asked question

Ingredients

Just three simple ingredients to whip together microwave hot cocoa in a few minutes, but check out the section on how to enhance your non-dairy sweet treat.

Dairy-free milk - The base of this plant-based hot cocoa is oat milk, but any dairy-free milk can be used.  Some dairy-free kinds of milk are thinner or thicker than others.  Use your favorite.  Unsweetened is best so you can control the sugar.  If you don’t have unsweetened then you might want to reduce the maple syrup.

Unsweetened cocoa powder - The unsweetened cocoa powder adds that rich chocolatey flavor.  Use either natural or dutch processed, whichever is your favorite.  Here’s an article for information on the difference between natural and dutch processed cocoa powder.

For more recipes using cocoa powder try my vegan chocolate banana smoothie, oat milk hot chocolate (for a richer beverage), or vegan chocolate sauce.

Maple syrup or sugar - Any sweetener will work, it will get dissolved in a hot liquid so use maple, agave, date syrup, or even granulated sugar. 

Enhance your hot cocoa

If this 3 ingredient hot cocoa recipe wasn’t already delicious enough, there are all sorts of toppings you can add to make it more fun.  It’s also really fun for kids (and adults) to dress up their own hot cocoa. 

• Vanilla extract
• Peppermint extract, a little bit goes a long way.
• Pumpkin spice
• Ground cinnamon, add to the hot cocoa or sprinkle it on top of a whipping topping
• Peanut butter, almond butter, or vegan hazelnut spread (1 Tablespoon per serving)
• Semi-sweet dairy-free chocolate chips
• Candy Canes
• Crushed candy canes
• Vegan Marshmallows
• Cinnamon stick
• A dollop of coconut cream
• Pinch of salt to help round out the flavors and bring out the chocolate.

Tips for enhancing

• If you choose to jazz up your 3 ingredient hot cocoa with pumpkin spice or peanut butter, it can be added before or after you heat your milk up.  I find that pumpkin spice and peanut butter do combine better with the milk when it’s heated up and whisked.  
• If you’re adding chocolate chips, add them once the milk is hot and whisk in until melted.  If you choose to add vanilla or peppermint, add it after the milk has warmed up.

Tips for making hot cocoa

• If you are making a lot of dairy-free hot cocoa at once, method 2 will probably be a lot easier as it works better for big batches.  Method 1 uses the microwave and works well for individual servings.  
• Use any kind of non-dairy milk.  I’ve tried soy, almond, and oat milk and they all do fine, use your favorite brand.  
• A glass measuring cup works great for the microwave for two reasons: you won’t scratch up a mug by whisking to combine ingredients and you can see the bottom and know if everything has been incorporated.
• Don’t boil the milk, just until steaming and hot.
• Adjust the sugar to suit your preferences.

Instructions for the microwave

1. In a microwave-safe mug or glass measuring cup add the milk, cocoa powder, and maple syrup.
2. You can lightly whisk everything together, but the cocoa powder will not mix well in cold milk, so heat it up! (You can also warm the milk for 1 minute then whisk in the cocoa powder and maple syrup, then continue with 30-second increments until hot).
3. Heat for 1 minute, then 30-second increments until you get your desired temperature.  Stir everything in between the increments to help combine everything. Mine is usually ready after a total of 90 seconds.
4. When your desired temperature is reached, whisk the milk mixture again until the cocoa powder is thoroughly mixed in.
5. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.

Instructions for the stovetop

Warm the milk in a pot on the stovetop to be hot but not boiling (steaming and small bubbles around the edge).

Then whisk in the cocoa powder and maple syrup (or sugar), stirring occasionally until combined.