Enter my tiny kitchen with me for a moment, and I promise to tell you a story. Easy Hot Cocoa Brownies on a cold winter night, large snowflakes drifting down, and the smell of chocolate in the air. This is how this Easy Hot Cocoa Brownies recipe was born. This is more than dessert – it’s a warm hug in every bite! These brownies are rich and fudgy, with the classic flavors of hot cocoa. They are perfect on a cold day to warm your soul, or simply to bring a smile to your face when you need a little pick-me-up.
What I love about these brownies is how easy they are to make. You don’t have to be a professional baker to make a batch of these beauties. All you need are a few pantry staples and a love of chocolate, and you can make this delicious dessert that can easily rival anything from an upscale bakery. The secret: a little dash of instant hot cocoa mix! This gives it that creamy, slightly malty taste like the hot cocoa we drank growing up. It’s like drinking a steaming mug of cocoa, all while indulging in a decadent brownie.
Ever found yourself in the mood for something sweet but wanted it to be just a little more special? These Easy Hot Cocoa Brownies are exactly what you’re looking for! These brownies are perfect for holiday parties, birthday celebrations, or just because it’s Tuesday. I mean, who can say no to a warm gooey brownie straight out of the oven? Whether it’s a special occasion with family or friends, or savoring one all alone, I can guarantee that these brownies will not disappoint.
The first time I made these brownies was for my husband. He prides himself as a chocolate expert, and I’ll admit, he was skeptical at first. “Hot cocoa in brownies? For real?” But after one bite, he absolutely loved them. Now we make these brownies for movie nights, potlucks, and even breakfast (why not?). These brownies are now a regular occurrence in our home, and I know they will be in yours as well!
So throw on your apron, preheat your oven and prepare to bake something amazing. These Easy Hot Cocoa Brownies are more than a recipe, they are a life experience. They serve as a reminder that often times the basic, simplest things in life tend to bring the most joy.
Why You Must Try These Easy Hot Cocoa Brownies
Let’s get right into it: these brownies are a game changer. Here are some reasons why they’re worth every bite :
- Hot Cocoa (a.) Superpower : A small amount of hot cocoa mix gives these brownies a very unique, creamy texture with a hint of malted flavor, and is what sets these brownies apart from general brownie recipes.
- Fudgy : These brownies are thick, gooey (in the best way), and extremely chocolatey – basically all of the qualities of a great brownie.
- Fast and Simple : These brownies have little prep time and use minimal and basic ingredients, meaning you can have these brownies made and baked in 30 to 40 minutes.
- Versatile : Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or enjoy at room temperature with your choice of coffee or tea.
I’m telling you, I guarantee that once you try these, you will never eat a regular brownie again.
How These Brownies Became A Family Favorite
I can remember the first time I decided to make these brownies for my little family. It was a snowy winter weekend, and we were feeling the sweet tooth cravings. I decided to experiment with a recipe that combined our love for hot cocoa and brownies. The result? Pure magic.
My husband, who’s usually more of a savory guy, couldn’t stop raving about them. “These are the best brownies I’ve ever had,” he said between bites. Even my picky toddler who doesn’t like chocolate dessert asked for “more, mommy” ( expanding her tiny corresponding paws for another piece)
Since that day, these brownies have become a favorite in our house! They are the first to be made when I bake for friends, and the continuous go to treat for a little indulgence. We have even made these brownies a part of our holidays.
Why These Easy Hot Cocoa Brownies
What makes these brownies good? Let me share with you why :
- Hot Cocoa Mix : The secret ingredient that takes these cakes a creamy, malty goodness.
- Melted Chocolate : Without chocolate everything would be sad
- Butter : It’s butter for crying out loud 😉
- Eggs : Essential for that fudgy goodness
- Flour and Sugar : The two essential ingredients for every brownie
Starting off with the Easy Hot Cocoa Brownies
- Don’t overmix : Make sure you don’t overmix the batter; this can result in tougher brownies! For best results, you might want to mix until just combined.
- Use room-temperature eggs : When eggs are at room temperature, they mix easier and you won’t have any clumps of unmixed egg.
- Add marshmallows : To get that hot cocoa vibe, add mini marshmallows right on top.
Substitutions and Variations
Want these to be a little different? Here are a couple of ideas :
- Gluten free : Use a gluten free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
- Dairy free : Use dairy free chocolate chips and a plant-based butter instead.
- Add nuts : For some extra texture, add chopped walnuts or pecans.
Make a Healthier Version
Want to make the brownies a little healthier? Here are some substitutes :
- low-fat : Use applesauce or plain Greek yogurt instead of the butter.
- low sugar : Use a sugar substitute like Stevia or Monk fruit instead of sugar.
- whole grain : Use whole wheat flour by substituting half of the flour with whole wheat flour.
Conclusion
That’s it! The Easy Hot Cocoa Brownies are a warm, gooey, chocolaty treat that will likely become a favourite go-to recipe in your house. We would love to hear how your brownies turned out and check out some of our other Recipes for even more delicious ideas.
Easy Hot Cocoa Brownies
Description
Indulge in the ultimate comfort dessert with Hot Cocoa Brownies. Rich, fudgy brownies infused with the cozy flavors of hot cocoa, topped with a velvety chocolate ganache. A delightful treat to warm your soul on a chilly day.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Remove from heat and whisk in the sugar and cocoa powder until smooth. Let the mixture cool slightly, then beat in the eggs and vanilla extract.
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In a separate bowl, combine the flour, hot cocoa mix, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.
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Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread it evenly. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Let the brownies cool before cutting into squares and serving.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 10
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 4516.42kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 280.33g432%
- Saturated Fat 168.16g841%
- Cholesterol 1056.55mg353%
- Sodium 1691.36mg71%
- Potassium 2313.17mg67%
- Total Carbohydrate 499.8g167%
- Dietary Fiber 40.75g163%
- Sugars 384.14g
- Protein 51.54g104%
- Vitamin A 6573.53 IU
- Calcium 373.08 mg
- Iron 26.3 mg
- Vitamin D 6.41 mcg
- Vitamin E 7.98 mg
- Vitamin K 30.74 mcg
- Thiamin 0.67 mg
- Riboflavin 1.37 mg
- Niacin 6.79 mg
- Vitamin B6 0.43 mg
- Folate 212.32 mcg
- Vitamin B12 2.04 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 3.51 mg
- Phosphorus 1347.65 mg
- Magnesium 666.66 mg
- Zinc 11.64 mg
- Selenium 95.23 mcg
- Copper 4.88 mg
- Manganese 5.3 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
