This is quite possibly the easiest and cheapest and best option for Chocolate Milk. I am talking BEST chocolate milk I have had. Granted, I have only ever had the stuff from the grocery store. But its WAAAAYYYYY better than that. 🙂 If you want to have the powder on hand to make a glass of chocolate milk whenever you crave one, be sure to check out my Chocolate Milk Powder or Chocolate Syrup recipe.
Homemade Chocolate Milk
Not only is it only four ingredients, but you can customize the ingredients to fit your diet!
- milk
- cocoa powder
- confectioners sugar
- vanilla
I like to use whole milk, good quality cocoa powder, organic confectioners sugar, and the best quality vanilla I can find. As I mentioned, these are also really fantastic alternatives to this recipe should you want to store ready-made powder ➡️ Chocolate Milk Powder or make your own Chocolate Syrup.
How to Make Chocolate Milk
There are a few easy ways to make homemade chocolate milk. The recipe below utilizes a blender, but you could also just stir the ingredients by hand. Another method would be to add all the ingredients to a jar that you have a lid for. Add ingredients, place lid on top, and then shake shake shake!
Is Chocolate Milk Good for You?
This is a loaded question, really. Chocolate milk has the same benefits of unsweetened milk, including calcium, vitamin D, and potassium (just to name a few). However, the added sugar is what makes chocolate milk more of a dessert to have once in a while than a drink to have every day. It contains up to two times the sugar of unsweetened cow’s milk.
Is Chocolate Milk Healthy for Kids?
Just like with adults, children should drink chocolate milk in moderation. One glass of chocolate milk is more than half the recommended daily sugar intake for kids. So, it’s a great treat, just like going out for ice cream, but a treat that kids and adults should enjoy once in a while.
How to Make Chocolate Milk for Your Diet
Want all organic? Simply choose organic ingredients! Need dairy-free? Try almond milk. Want gluten free? Try raw sugar, natural dark cocoa powder (not cocoa mixes), and pure vanilla extract. If you want sugar free try replacing the sugar with liquid Stevia. Here is a great post from Deliciously Organic that can help you determine what works best for you!
You could also use lower-fat milk when you make chocolate milk. Another healthier option would be to make your own milk with chocolate syrup so you know exactly how much chocolate you are adding. Any way you pour it, chocolate milk is definitely a refreshing treat that can be enjoyed when the craving hits!
What else can you add to Homemade Chocolate Milk?
Some folks like to add a little cinnamon (I tried this and didn’t like it) or nutmeg. Others have added about a tablespoon of butter to the blender while mixing.
Want it thicker? Try adding a teaspoon for cornstarch before blending.
Make it a Chocolate Milkshake by adding vanilla ice cream!
Looking for More of the Best Chocolate Milk Recipes?
As mentioned earlier, making your own chocolate milk is probably your best bet when it comes to making it fit your nutritional needs. My homemade chocolate syrup recipe can be added to milk in your desired amount. The same goes for my chocolate milk powder. With no preservatives, you know exactly what is going in the powder and you can tweak it as you see fit.
Homemade Chocolate Milk
Ingredients
- 3 cups milk, we prefer whole
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons confectioners sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Pour milk into blender. Add in cocoa, confectioners' sugar, and vanilla. Blend all ingredients until fully incorporated, about 30 seconds.
- Serve and enjoy!
- This will last about one week covered in the fridge. (Or the life of the milk)
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
UPDATE:
I made another version of Homemade Chocolate Milk that utilizes homemade chocolate syrup. This is a richer version, should you want an extra chocolate punch!
Mmmm….I love me some chocolate milk!!! Plain milk, no thank you. Can’t wait to try this…with a piece of cake, of course! 😉
this looks amazing! my kids love chocolate milk, but the store “stuff” has too much sugar, and my homemade has never been all that good. I am going to give this a go:)
Can’t wait to try- thanks for sharing!! And beautiful photos!
Truthfully, I’m not a cold chocolate milk drinker. But this recipe could just change that, I do believe!!
Nicest Chocolate Milk ever! I’ve been feeling really rubbish for the past few days since I hurt my neck, and this has cheered me right up.
Thank you very much :).
Hope you feel better soon… so sorry your neck is hurting. That is no fun! 🙁
I love the photo with the spoon standing up. Its so pretty! I love how adaptable this recipe is too. Homemade is always so much better! 🙂
these photos could be the next ad for chocolate milk! 4 ingredients – my kind of recipe!
Have you ever done this for hot chocolate? Also very awesome. I through a hot chocolate party once, and I made hot chocolate from scratch, using the recipe on the back of the cocoa container and oh, yum.
I wanted to mention that your thoughts on raw maple syrup aren’t exactly correct. It is a sugar alternative, in that it’s not white refined, and being natural, is probably better for you. All things in moderation, of course. However, maple syrup is a very simple sugar for your body to break down, and definitely does cause a blood sugar spike. In fact, for those with diabetes (my 7 year old is a type 1), syrup is one of the things one might keep on hand to deal with low blood sugars. A spoonful or two (depending on size of person, etc), will bring blood sugar right back up.
I know, I’m being critical of a small point, but it’s because I think about sugar and carbs and food all day for my kid, so it’s always at the front of my mind. I peruse your blog now and again, and have enjoyed it much. Thank you for putting these great recipes out there!
(and I use syrup all the time in things I need sweetened, where appropriate. I prefer the natural product. So I’m not saying don’t use it or don’t suggest it. Just pointing out it’ll spike blood sugar in people, diabetes or not 🙂
Great! Thanks!
Made this and then heated it up, it was so good. Perfect Chocolate Milk or Hot Chocolate.
Lovely photos and great recipe. Good to know you can have the ease of powered chocolate milk mix without any of the chemicals. I’m sure your kids love this!