• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header left navigation
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Blog
Life In Pleasantville

Life In Pleasantville

Food, Travel, Life

  • Work With Me
  • LinkTree
  • Travel
  • Food & Drink
  • Living

Homemade Hot Cocoa

by Candace Sampson

We are all guilty of buying into convenience such as bagged salad, cut up veggies, and frozen food. We’re busy, right? Sometimes though we’re being sold a bill of goods. Like store bought hot chocolate. Nothing bothers me more than hot chocolate because it may just be the ultimate sham. Seriously. Here’s an example of what’s in most store bought hot chocolate; SUGAR, CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL (MAY CONTAIN COCONUT, PALM KERNEL AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL), MODIFIED MILK INGREDIENTS, COCOA, CELLULOSE GUM, SALT, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, SILICON DIOXIDE, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOUR, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, GUAR GUM, SODIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE. You then bring this home and mix it with milk, then heat and serve.

Now here’s how to make your own (way more delicious) homemade version:

Homemade Hot Cocoa

1 tbsp cocoa
2 tbsp sugar
1 cup milk (plus 1 tbsp)

Place cocoa and sugar in small pot. Whisk until smooth with 1 tbsp milk. Once smooth, add remainder of milk and heat through. That’s it.

Do you see what I’m saying? Please throw that crap away and buy a can of real cocoa. You’re saving nothing, not time or money, by buying the “convenience” version. Play with your hot chocolate too. Want it minty? Add a drop of peppermint extract to it. Add whipped cream. Toss in some mini-marshmallows. Throw in some Kahlua (this is for the mommies only). Enjoy.

Category: Food & Drink, Recipes, SnacksTag: homemade hot chocolate, homemade hot cocoa, Life in Pleasantville

About Candace Sampson

Candace Sampson is the founder of Life in Pleasantville and has been writing about Canadian travel for over a decade. She only shares destinations she has personally visited and genuinely loved. Candace is also the creator of Girl Trips, a women-focused travel and retreat brand, and the host of What She Said, Canada’s longest-running women’s talk show turned podcast.

Previous Post:Things I’m Irrationally Afraid Of
Next Post:Slow Cooker Ribs

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa

    at

    Also…. if you have a can of cocoa in your cupboard, you always have the stuff on hand to make brownies!!!

  2. Candace

    at

    Another very good point! Maybe I’ll post my brownie recipe next week.

  3. Sharon

    at

    My parents always used to make us homemade hot chocolate and it was the cat’s meow.

  4. Candace

    at

    You’re welcome. 🙂

  5. Candace

    at

    It is the cat’s meow. I don’t understand the store bought stuff. Terrible ingredients and no easier than making it on your own.

  6. Robin

    at

    OMG I HAVE THE SAME MUG! 

  7. Candace

    at

    That’s hilarious! I love this pattern. Do you have all the dishes?

Sidebar

Instagram

Girl Trips Batter Up Babes

Girl Trips Batter Up Babes
Spots are limited — click to learn more →

Acanthus Florist shopfront in Almonte, Ontario

Explore Small Towns in Ontario

Discover charming main streets, waterfalls, antiques, and festivals across Ontario’s most beautiful small towns.

Start Exploring

Categories

Here’s where else you can find me:

Girl Trips Logo What She Said Logo

What’s New

North Star Louisbourg Is the Maritime Dream and Yes, You’re Invited

Gen X woman smiling in a Pro Roe t-shirt, done being angry and choosing joy instead

Fuck It. I’m Done.

a feature image for an article about extinction of experience where a woman is experiencing pure joy in a hot air balloon

Extinction of Experience, The Slow Erosion of Real Life!

Enjoying your time in Pleasantville?

From travel tips to personal stories, Life in Pleasantville is powered by caffeine and curiosity. If this post hit home, made you laugh, or helped plan your next trip, please consider buying me a coffee to keep it going.

Buy Me a Coffee

Connect With Me Online

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Threads
  • TikTok

Inspiration

“Every day is another chance to get stronger, to eat better, to live healthier, and to be the best version of you.”

Recent Posts

Gen X woman smiling in a Pro Roe t-shirt, done being angry and choosing joy instead
a feature image for an article about extinction of experience where a woman is experiencing pure joy in a hot air balloon
Girls Gone Mild group wearing matching navy hoodies on snowy Crystal Beach Ontario in winter
Spy Rock overlooking Westport

Copyright © 2026 · Life In Pleasantville · All Rights Reserved