Homemade Chocolate Milk Recipe - Kids Eat in Color (2024)

If there is one drink that can make anyone feel nostalgic, it is chocolate milk. This healthy, homemade chocolate milk recipe will satisfy everyone’s taste buds.

Homemade chocolate milk recipe for families

There’s something about chocolate milk that brings back cherished childhood memories. One sip, and you’re a kid again. Now, by making this homemade chocolate milk, you can create new memories with your own kids.

A note about milk for kids: Milk from animals and high-calorie non-dairy milks can offer kids many nutrients, but we recommend that kids and toddlers have only 16 oz. of milk per day or less. That’s because if they have too much milk, they may not be hungry for other foods that offer other essential nutrients.

If you’re concerned your toddler is drinking too much milk, here are strategies that can help decrease your child’s milk intake.

Making your own chocolate milk at home

While grabbing a carton of chocolate milk from the grocery store is convenient, there are also benefits of making homemade chocolate milk. The main advantages of making your own milk are:

• Fewer added sugars
• Price

Related: Love making milk at home? Learn how to make strawberry milk with our easy recipe!

Added sugars

Many store-bought chocolate milks tend to have high amounts of added sugars and artificial sweeteners. Some options also include artificial flavors.

Of course sugar can be consumed however it makes sense for your family, but the amount of sugar your child eats is something to consider when planning your meal and snack schedule.

Price

While you can find store-bought chocolate milks that are low in added sugars, these options are usually expensive. If cost is a barrier to you, and if you do have the time, making this chocolate milk recipe can be a great option.

Homemade chocolate milk ingredients

• 1 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tsp. maple syrup
• 1 cup milk

Related: Got questions about raw milk for toddlers and kids? Read our answers.

Cocoa powder in chocolate milk

Unsweetened chocolate powder can be widely found in major stores. Be sure to check that cocoa is the only ingredient. Some versions contain other ingredients (like added sugars) that could affect the taste of your homemade milk.

For this chocolate milk recipe we are looking for a powder that is 100% cocoa.

Related: Once you’ve added cocoa powder to your pantry, be sure to try these delicious black bean chocolate muffins. They’re loaded with nutrients and kids will love the moist, cake-like texture.

Is cocoa good for kids?

We all know that cocoa is delicious in bread, brownies, candies, and of course milk.

But are there nutritional benefits of cocoa? Yes! Besides warming the hearts of many with its deliciousness, cocoa also holds nutritional benefits. Did you know that cocoa contains a flavonoid? Flavonoid is a phytochemical, and phytochemicals are great for protecting our cells. They also can help our cells live longer.

How to make homemade chocolate milk

1. In a blender, combine cocoa, maple syrup and milk.
2. Pour it into a jar and enjoy!

Tip: If you don’t have a blender, no problem. You can use a whisk.

You can easily get the cocoa powder to dissolve into the milk by stirring a small amount of milk into the dry powder first to create a paste-like mixture. Then, pour the paste into the remaining milk, add the maple syrup and stir well.

Take this chocolate milk recipe one step further

To enhance the flavor of your chocolate milk, you can try adding in spices.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is a delicious add-on to this chocolate milk recipe. Together with the maple syrup, it creates a very warm, nutty flavor. Sprinkle in just a dash and mix. Yum!

Vanilla extract

If you love vanilla, a dash of vanilla extract is fantastic here. Just remember, a little goes a long way.