Hot chocolate is a staple during the colder months. A cup of creamy hot cocoa made with chocolate hazelnut spread and a hint of cinnamon is a great way to warm up!
Not sure what part of the country you’re reading this from. I’m guessing it’s as cold as a penguin’s bootyhole where you’re located since you’ve stumbled across this recipe. However, hot cocoa is a year round treat for me. Maybe that’s what also brought you here, and of course I understand. I would drink a cup of hot cocoa everyday if my skin would allow it, but once a week works too.
The chocolate hazelnut spread makes the hot cocoa a bit richer, almost as if you’re drinking the spread. A pinch of ground cinnamon gives it a hint of spice, warming up the flavor a bit more.
What is chocolate hazelnut spread?
Chocolate hazelnut spread is a smooth blended mixture of cocoa powder, hazelnuts, sugar, vanilla, and palm oil, blended until smooth. The spread is the same consistency as peanut butter and is commonly used in desserts as well as breakfast.
There are several brands with their own version of this chocolatey goodness, but the most popular brand is Nutella. Use any brand you’d like for this hot cocoa.
How to make hot cocoa
Hot chocolate is super easy to make! Simply heat the ingredients in a small pot while whisking.
A bit of the milk is poured in with the dry ingredients while whisking to prevent clumping. Once all the milk is in, warm the mixture and add the chocolate hazelnut spread to melt.
Lastly, immediately remove the pot from the heat when steam forms. You don’t want the hot chocolate to be too hot to drink. In case it overheats, let it cool for a few minutes in a mug to cool down a bit before consuming.
The best type of milk to use for hot cocoa
Hot chocolate works with whatever milk you have available. 2% milk is a staple in my home, which I use for this recipe. If you want to use skim or whole, you’ll be good to go.
Premade hot cocoa mix
No need to keep packets of hot chocolate in your pantry any more. The dry ingredients in the recipe can be mixed ahead in a larger batch!
For a batch of hot chocolate mix, combine:
- 5 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 10 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
The hot chocolate mix is very shelf stable. The shelf life is determined by which of the dry ingredients expires first. Store it in an airtight container.
The mix yields 8 servings of hot chocolate. Use 2 tablespoons of the mix for 1 serving of hot cocoa. Then warm the mix with a cup of milk and a splash of vanilla extract.
Toppings for hot cocoa
My favorite hot chocolate toppings are miniature marshmallows and whipped cream, used interchangeably (and sometimes together.) I like to dust a little ground cinnamon on top as well. Chocolate shavings are a fun garnish too!
Depending on my mood, I’ll add a small scoop of ice cream into the hot chocolate mug. It will slowly melt, and it makes the hot cocoa even creamier.
I can tell you’re a fan of chocolate. My Chocolate and Cookie Butter Pudding Pie is another great option to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Chocolate Hazelnut Hot Cocoa
Equipment
- Small saucepot
- Whisk
- coffee mug
Ingredients
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 4 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 8 ounces milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons chocolate hazelnut spread
Instructions
- In a small sauce pot, whisk together the cinnamon, sugar, salt, and cocoa powder.
- Slowly pour the milk into the pot while whisking to dissolve the dry ingredients. Add vanilla and chocolate hazelnut spread.
- Warm the ingredients on medium heat, stirring occasionally with a whisk to help the chocolate spread melt.
- After about 5 minutes, the liquid will begin to steam. Immediately remove from the heat.
- Pour the hot chocolate into your favorite mug. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream.
We made these during a snowstorm and it could not have come at a better time. The addition of the hazelnut spread was so good and added a really awesome nutty flavor to the hot chocolate!
This is wonderful on a cold dreary day. Perfect for the entire family! Even the kids will enjoy it.
This hot cocoa was warming, comforting and delicious. I especially enjoyed the addition of the hazelnut spread. I plan to make this again for my niece.
My family absolutely loved this hot cocoa recipe! I used oat milk instead of regular milk and it was still so creamy and delicious. This recipe came right on time for another chilly day.
Oooooh! The oat milk sounds amazing! So glad you liked it!
I love the addition of hazelnut spread to this hot chocolate!! I used Nutella and it turned out great
I’m not normally a hazelnut fan but this hot cocoa has become my exception. It’s so creamy and the flavor is sophisticated. Thank you.
Thank YOU for giving this one a shot!!!
My kids and I enjoyed this hot cocoa sooooo much! We had to make it three nights in a row- because it was THAT good! I’m so happy we came across your recipe!
My skin won’t allow me to drink this that often lol. Glad yall loved it!
Needed a treat to get us through our first snowstorm of the season and this was DELICIOUS. I’m now perfectly content to stay in all winter and sip this hot cocoa. Thank you for a great recipe!
This was such a comfort to have! I loved the flavor and how easy it was to make!
I enjoyed this variation to the traditional hot cocoa! It had the perfect level of creamy and sweetness. I loved every single sip!
I used a little Nutella when I made this cocoa. Needless to say, I will never make cocoa without it again, so good!
Nutella is a staple in my home. Thank you for trying it out!
Hot chocolate is my favorite in the winter and this was so good!!
Loved the hazelnut twist to classic hot chocolate. We had snow this past week and this was perfect sipping in front of the fireplace.
I love that you’ve made this recipe to include chocolate hazelnut spread. It’s a big favorite of my family, so when I made this hot cocoa to help bolster us against this cold, everyone was pleasantly surprised. Thanks for the recipe!
Love it! Thank you so much Marta!
Thanks THIS was good without being overly sweet. I enjoyed it. My Mum also loved it and has requested another tomorrow. I did mimi marshmallows on top.