With all of these cold winter days, it's nice to be able to mix up a cup of hot chocolate in a jiffy! With this easy homemade powder, you can definitely do that. It also makes a fantastic last minute Christmas gift idea for your neighbors, the mailman, and UPS delivery people.

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Questions

What's in hot chocolate mix?

It's just unsweetened cocoa powder and sugar mixed together. Adding salt gives more flavor, and cornstarch helps thicken the drink a little.

Is cocoa powder and hot chocolate mix the same?

No, they aren't the same. Cocoa powder is powdered cocoa beans, while the mix is cocoa powder mixed with sugar and other ingredients. You can't substitute them for each other in baking because they taste quite different.

How much mix do you need for 1 cup of water?

With this recipe, stir 2 tablespoons of powder with 1 cup of boiling water. For a creamier texture, you can use ½ cup whole milk and ½ cup of boiling water.

Does it expire?

Since it's made from dry ingredients, it shouldn't spoil, but it will get stale eventually. It should keep for months, as long as it is sealed in an airtight container and kept in a cool, dry place. It's a good idea to label and date your mix. If it looks, smells, or tastes bad, just throw it out.

Do you need powdered milk to make it?

Technically, you don't need powdered milk. I recommend using the powdered milk to increase the creaminess and improve the flavor. However, if you don't have powdered milk, this recipe will still work.

How do you make the best instant hot chocolate?

It's important to use the best quality ingredients you can find. Use top-quality cocoa powder like Ghirardelli and whole milk powder.

How to Make Hot Chocolate Mix Taste Better

Marshmallows. Mini ones are best. Try the flavored ones for a twist!
Candy canes. Use full size or mini candy canes. If you add them while the drink is hot, the candy cane will dissolve and add a wonderful peppermint flavor.
Syrups. Stir in a little chocolate or caramel syrup for a yummy flavor.
Double chocolate. Stir a tablespoon of chocolate chips into your drink until melted and smooth.
Espresso. Add 1 tablespoon of espresso powder to the whole batch of dry mix to add a hint of coffee, or stir some into your individual mug.
Mocha. Mix 2 tablespoons powder with 1 cup of coffee and a splash of milk to get a delicious mocha drink.
Mexican. Add a pinch of cinnamon and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper for an Aztec flair.

Ideas for a Hot Chocolate Bar

Serving hot chocolate for a crowd? Let each guest mix up their own and customize it how they like.

Have a crock pot of hot chocolate with a ladle.
Have mugs and spoons ready for stirring.
Have a pitcher of whole milk.
Put garnishes in bowls or jars. Some ideas are mini marshmallows, candy canes, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or caramel sauce.
Have the assembly instructions printed on a piece of paper so guests know how to make their own cocoa.

How to Make

Gather the ingredients. You'll need powdered milk, cocoa power, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and a touch of salt.

Sift all the ingredients into a mixing bowl to remove any lumps. You might need to use a spoon to push the last bits of powdered milk through the strainer.

Here's what the ingredients look like after you sift the ingredients.

Whisk until all the ingredients are well mixed. This step is crucial; you don't want pockets of unmixed ingredients.

If you're packaging this for gifts, put 1 cup of powder into glass mason jars.

Top with mini marshmallows.

Screw on the jar lid and tie a ribbon around it. If you want, you can punch a hole in the wrapper of a mini candy cane and tie it on the ribbon. Be sure to include our free printable gift tags that have the instructions for mixing up the hot chocolate.

There's two ways that you can make hot chocolate: low fat version and creamy version.

For the low fat version, stir together ¼ cup mix with 2 cups boiling water. For the creamy version, stir ¼ cup mix with 1 cup boiling water and 1 cup whole milk. Be sure to stir the cocoa until the powder is dissolved.

Don't forget to add the mini marshmallows on top and the mini candy cane! Enjoy.

Pro Tips

Sift to remove any pesky lumps.
Add a teaspoon of espresso powder to add a hint of coffee.
Want extra creaminess? Use whole milk powder instead of nonfat milk powder.
Layer the ingredients in jars to make a pretty and tasty gift to family and friends.
Use my free printable gift tags for your gift jars.
Store in jars or airtight containers for up to 6 months.

Recommended Tools

Set of 4 Strainers: get perfectly smooth powder with these mesh sieves.
Set of 3 Whisks: you'll be whisking up a storm with these sturdy whisks!
Glass Mason Jars: these pretty jars are perfect for giving this as gifts.
Mini Marshmallows: this is our favorite topping for hot chocolate.

Other Chocolate Drinks

The pleasure of a 5-star review would be greatly appreciated.

Recipe

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

5 from 1 reviews

Author: Emma
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 7 cups 1x

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Description

This quick and easy hot chocolate mix in a jar makes a great Christmas gift! You can mix up just one serving of this creamy hot chocolate in minutes, and enjoy it with marshmallows and a candy cane. Now you can satisfy your hot cocoa craving anytime this winter!

Ingredients

Scale

3 cups powdered whole milk or nonfat milk (285g)
3 cups granulated sugar (600g)
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (86g)
2 tablespoons cornstarch (16g)
½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

Making the Powder

Sift all the ingredients into a large bowl. You might need to push the last bits of the powdered milk through the sieve with a spoon.
Whisk until blended, making sure that there are no streaks of unmixed ingredients.
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct light for up to 6 months.

Making the Hot Chocolate

Low-Fat Version: Stir ¼ cup mix with 2 cups of boiling water until dissolved, then add a splash of milk, a candy cane, and ½ cup of mini marshmallows. Enjoy while hot.
Creamy Version: Stir ¼ cup mix with 1 cup of boiling water and 1 cup of whole milk until dissolved, then add a candy cane and ½ cup of mini marshmallows. Enjoy while hot.
Crock Pot Version: Stir 1 ½ cups mix with 6 cups of boiling water and 6 cups of milk. Pour into a crockpot and turn to the low setting. Once the hot chocolate is hot enough for your liking, turn the heat to warm. Stir well before serving.

Giving as Gifts

To make into gift jars, pour 1 cup of the powder into a 12-ounce jar. Add a thin layer of dark chocolate chips, then fill the rest of the jar with marshmallows.
Screw on a lid. Punch a hole in the wrapper of a mini candy cane and thread it on a ribbon, then tie it in a bow around the jar. Include a gift tag on the jar with directions. Here's my free printable tags.

Notes

Sift to remove any lumps.
Want a coffee flavor? Add a teaspoon of espresso powder.
Want extra creaminess? Use whole milk powder instead of nonfat milk powder.
Giving these as gifts? Layer the ingredients in jars and use my free printable tags to make a pretty gift.
It will keep for 6 months sealed in an airtight jar or container.

Category: Drinks
Method: Mixed
Cuisine: American

Keywords: easy homemade hot chocolate mix, hot chocolate mix in a jar