Looking for a warm and comforting drink to cozy up with on a chilly day? Look no further than this delicious and easy-to-make hot cocoa recipe. Made with a combination of Nido powdered milk, cocoa powder, sweetened condensed milk, bittersweet chocolate, and a touch of vanilla extract (optional), this recipe produces a rich and creamy hot cocoa that will satisfy any chocolate lover's cravings. Combine the ingredients in a pot on the stove, heat until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth, and enjoy a comforting and indulgent drink in no time.
Jump to:
- What is Hot cocoa for a crowd?
- Brief highlight of our Hot cocoa for a crowd recipe:
- Hot cocoa for a crowd Ingredients
- Tools you'll need
- How to Make Hot Cocoa for a Crowd
- Substitutions
- Variations
- How to Serve
- How to Store & Re-Heat
- Make-Ahead
- Tips for Making The Best Hot cocoa for a crowd
- FAQ
- Related Recipes:
- 📋 Recipe
What is Hot cocoa for a crowd?
Hot cocoa for a crowd is a recipe for making a large batch of hot cocoa to serve a group of people. It typically involves increasing the measurements of the ingredients used in a regular hot cocoa recipe to accommodate more servings. This recipe is perfect for gatherings such as holiday parties and family get-togethers or even for serving at a winter wedding. It allows everyone to enjoy a warm and cozy drink and is a great way to spread holiday cheer.
Brief highlight of our Hot cocoa for a crowd recipe:
- Taste: This hot cocoa is rich and chocolatey, with a customizable sweetness level to suit your preference.
- Texture: It's creamy and smooth, thanks to ingredients like powdered milk and chopped chocolate.
- Method: Making this hot cocoa is easy. Mix cocoa, condensed milk, and water with powdered milk and heat gently. Avoid boiling. Add chopped chocolate and enjoy a comforting, crowd-pleasing treat.
Hot cocoa for a crowd Ingredients
Note: The full ingredients list is provided in the recipe card below.
- Nido powdered milk: Used to give the hot cocoa for a crowd a creamy and rich texture.
- 100% cocoa powder: Provides the prominent chocolate flavor for the hot cocoa for a crowd.
- Sweetened condensed milk: Adds sweetness and creaminess to the hot cocoa for a crowd.
- Water: Used to help thin out the hot cocoa for a crowd mixture and make it easier to drink.
- Bittersweet chocolate coarsely chopped: Adds additional chocolate flavor and richness to the hot cocoa for a crowd.
- Pure vanilla extract (optional): Provides a subtle vanilla flavor that complements the chocolate in the hot cocoa for a crowd.
- Sugar, to taste: Used to sweeten the hot cocoa for a crowd to the desired level of sweetness.
Tools you'll need
How to Make Hot Cocoa for a Crowd
Note: The full instructions are provided in the recipe card below.
Blend ½ liter of water, condensed milk, and cocoa until smooth in a blender. Add the remaining water to a large saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Whisk the Condensed milk mixture and powdered milk into the water until the powdered milk dissolves completely. Cook, constantly stirring, until smooth, and bring to a simmer, do not boil!
Turn off the heat; add the chopped chocolate and pure vanilla extract, and whisk until the chocolate is melted and fully combined (there will still be particles of chocolate throughout). Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. Pour into mugs and garnish with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy our Hot Cocoa for a crowd!
Substitutions
- Nido powdered milk: You can use any powdered milk you prefer, such as regular or non-dairy milk powder.
- 100% cocoa powder: If you don't have 100% cocoa powder, you can use regular cocoa powder or even hot chocolate mix. However, remember that the hot chocolate mix already contains sugar and other ingredients, which may affect the hot cocoa crowd's sweetness and flavor.
- Sweetened condensed milk: You can use unsweetened condensed milk and adjust the amount of sugar used to improve the hot cocoa for a crowd. Alternatively, you can use other sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar.
- Bittersweet chocolate: You can use semisweet chocolate or milk chocolate instead of bittersweet chocolate, depending on your preference. You can also use chocolate chips or chocolate bars.
- Pure vanilla extract: This ingredient is optional, so you can omit it if you don't have any or don't like the flavor of vanilla.
- Sugar: You can use any sweetener, such as brown sugar, coconut sugar, or stevia. Adjust the amount of sweetener used to suit your taste preferences.
Variations
- Mint Hot Cocoa: Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the hot cocoa for a refreshing minty flavor.
- Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa: Add a spoonful of caramel sauce and a pinch of sea salt to the hot cocoa for a decadent salted caramel flavor.
- Mocha Hot Cocoa: Add a shot of espresso or strong coffee to the hot cocoa for a rich and flavorful mocha twist.
- White Hot Cocoa: Use white chocolate instead of bittersweet chocolate to make creamy and indulgent hot cocoa.
How to Serve
To serve hot cocoa for a crowd, pour the prepared hot cocoa into mugs and garnish with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired. You can also provide additional toppings, such as crushed candy canes, chocolate shavings, or cinnamon sticks, for guests to customize their hot cocoa. Serve alongside holiday treats, such as cookies or gingerbread, for a cozy and festive experience. This recipe is perfect for gatherings with family and friends during the holidays or any chilly evening when you're in the mood for a comforting and indulgent drink. Enjoy!
How to Store & Re-Heat
To store: Leftover hot cocoa for a crowd, let it cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container and refrigerating it for up to three days.
To reheat: When ready, pour the desired hot cocoa into a saucepan and heat over low heat, occasionally stirring, until heated through. Alternatively, you can reheat the hot cocoa in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until heated to your desired temperature.
Note that the hot cocoa for a crowd may thicken or develop a skin on top as it cools, but this is normal and can be easily remedied by whisking or stirring until smooth. So enjoy your cozy and delicious hot cocoa for a crowd whenever you're ready for a sweet and indulgent treat!
Make-Ahead
This hot cocoa for a crowd recipe can easily be made ahead of time for parties or gatherings. Prepare the hot cocoa as directed, let it cool to room temperature, and then transfer it to an airtight container. The hot cocoa can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen for up to a month. To reheat, pour the desired amount of hot cocoa into a saucepan or microwave-safe container and heat over low heat or in the microwave until heated, stirring occasionally.
If the hot cocoa for a crowd has thickened or developed a skin on top, whisk or stir until smooth. By making the hot cocoa ahead of time, you'll have one less thing to worry about on the day of your gathering, and your guests can enjoy a cozy and delicious drink whenever they like.
Tips for Making The Best Hot cocoa for a crowd
- Use high-quality chocolate: The better the quality of the chocolate, the better the hot cocoa will taste. Use bittersweet or dark chocolate for a rich and indulgent flavor.
- Refrain from boiling the hot cocoa: Heating it too quickly or to a boiling point can cause it to become grainy or lose its smooth texture. Be sure to heat it slowly over medium-low heat, stirring constantly.
- Adjust sweetness to taste: The sweetness level of hot cocoa can vary depending on personal preference and the type of chocolate used. Taste the hot cocoa as you make it, and adjust the sweetness with sugar or condensed milk as needed.
- Use a blender to mix the cocoa powder and condensed milk: This helps to ensure a smooth and creamy texture without any lumps of cocoa powder.
- Garnish with toppings: Adding marshmallows, whipped cream, or other toppings can take your hot cocoa to the next level and make it feel more festive and indulgent.
- Serve in pre-warmed mugs: To keep the hot cocoa warm for longer and enhance the drinking experience, warm your mugs before pouring in the hot cocoa.
FAQ
My hot cocoa is too thick. How can I thin it out?
If your hot cocoa is too thick, you can simply add more water or milk to the mixture and heat it gently until it reaches your desired consistency. Start with small amounts and gradually add more until it's thinned to your liking.
My hot cocoa is too thin. How can I thicken it up?
If your hot cocoa is too thin, you can thicken it by adding more cocoa powder or powdered milk. Start with small amounts and whisk them into the mixture until it thickens to your preference.
My hot cocoa has lumps in it. How can I get rid of them?
Lumps can form if the cocoa powder or powdered milk is not properly mixed. To get rid of lumps, you can use a fine-mesh sieve or a fine strainer to strain the hot cocoa as you pour it into mugs. This will help remove any lumps and ensure a smooth texture.
My hot cocoa is too sweet. How can I reduce the sweetness?
If your hot cocoa is too sweet, you can dilute it by adding more water or milk to the mixture. Alternatively, you can balance the sweetness by adding a pinch of unsweetened cocoa powder or a dash of unsweetened powdered milk until it reaches your desired level of sweetness.
My hot cocoa is not chocolatey enough. How can I make it more chocolatey?
To make your hot cocoa more chocolatey, you can add additional cocoa powder or coarsely chopped bittersweet chocolate to the mixture and whisk until the chocolate is fully melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust until you achieve the desired chocolate flavor.
My hot cocoa is too bitter. How can I sweeten it without making it too sugary?
If your hot cocoa is too bitter, you can sweeten it by adding a bit more sweetened condensed milk, a drizzle of honey, or a pinch of sugar. Taste and adjust gradually to avoid making it overly sweet.
My hot cocoa has a burnt taste. What should I do?
If your hot cocoa has a burnt taste, it's possible that it was overheated during the cooking process. To salvage it, you can dilute the mixture by adding more water or milk and then adjust the sweetness and chocolate flavor as needed.
Related Recipes:
- Hot cocoa
- Mexican Hot Cocoa
- Hot White Chocolate Mocha
- White Hot Chocolate
- Maple Iced Coffee
- Cafe de Olla
📋 Recipe
How to Make Hot Cocoa for a Crowd
Ingredients
- 200 g (1.5 cups) Nido powdered milk
- 50 g (½ cup) 100% cocoa powder
- 1 (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1½ liter ( about 6 ⅜ cups) of water
- 200 g ( 1 cup) bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract , optional
- Sugar , to taste
Instructions
- In a blender, blend ½ liter of water, condensed milk, and cocoa until smooth. Add remaining water to a large saucepan and place over medium-low heat. Whisk the Condensed milk mixture and powdered milk into the water until the powdered milk dissolves completely.
- Cook, stirring constantly until smooth, and bring to a simmer, do not boil! Turn off the heat; add the chopped chocolate, and pure vanilla extract, and whisk until the chocolate is melted and fully combined, (there will still be particles of chocolate throughout).
- Taste and adjust sweetness, if needed. Pour into mugs and garnish with marshmallows or whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy !
Notes
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
