In a small saucepan, whisk together cocoa powder, sugar, and a splash of milk until you have a smooth paste. No lumps, no drama.
Pour in the rest of the milk, place over medium heat, and stir constantly. You don’t want it to scorch, and you definitely don’t want to bonk it with a wooden spoon—keep it friendly and steady.
When the mixture starts to simmer, add butter or coconut oil and the pinch of salt. Stir until melted and shiny. If you’re feeling fancy, add chocolate chips and let them melt in for extra gloss.
Remove from heat, stir in vanilla extract, and let it sit for a minute to thicken a bit. If it’s too thin, return to low heat for a moment—no panic, you’ve got this.
Pour into a heatproof container and let cool slightly before serving. It will thicken as it cools, so don’t rush the process.
