With all of these cold winter days, it's nice to be able to mix up a cup of hot chocolate in a jiffy! This easy homemade hot cocoa mix also makes a fantastic last minute Christmas gift idea.
If you love chocolate, you'll want to check out these recipes for French hot chocolate and Starbucks peppermint mocha.
Quick Look at the Recipe
- ⏲️ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- ⏲️ Total Time: 10 minutes
- 🍽️ Yield: 7 cups
- 🥕 Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Gluten Free (can be made Dairy Free)
- ⚡ Calories: 160 calories per serving (based on nutrition facts in recipe card)
- 🍫 5 Ingredients: powdered milk, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt.
- 🥣 Method: Hand Mixed
- ⌛ Time-Saving Hack: Sift all the ingredients together into a bowl to combine them quicker and to remove lumps.
- 🔪 Equipment: large mixing bowl, whisk, and metal sieve.
- ⭐ Expert Tip: Use whole milk powder for a creamier hot chocolate.
- ☕ Flavor: This hot chocolate mix has a wonderful chocolate flavor with a creamy mouthfeel. It's perfect with marshmallows and a candy cane!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Makes a Large Batch: This recipe makes 7 cups of hot chocolate mix, which is enough to make about 56 eight-ounce cups of hot chocolate!
- Perfect for Gift Giving: Simply seal the mix in glass jars, add a gift tag with a festive ribbon, and give as cute gifts to family and friends.
- Shelf Stable for 3+ Months: This hot chocolate mix will keep in an airtight container for at least 3-6 months. Enjoy it anytime during the cold weather season!
Featured Comment
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I can't wait to try this, it looks so yummy and easy to make."
- Connie
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Ingredients
This hot chocolate mix recipe can't get any simpler! All you need is 4 basic ingredients to get started.
- Powdered Milk: This makes the hot chocolate creamier, especially if it's made only with hot water and no milk.
- Sugar: This counteracts the bitter cocoa and sweetens the drink. I've only tested this recipe with granulated white sugar, but you're welcome to try other sweeteners if you prefer.
- Cocoa Powder: Be sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder, not a drink mix, for the best flavor.
- Cornstarch: Technically, this is optional, but helps the drink have a thicker consistency.
See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Hot Chocolate Mix
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. (image 1)
- Everything should be smooth and fluffy. (image 2)
- Whisk until all the ingredients are well mixed. This step is crucial; you don't want pockets of unmixed ingredients. (image 3)
- If you're packaging this for gifts, put 1 cup of powder into glass mason jars. (image 4)
- Top with mini marshmallows. (image 5)
- 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. (image 6)
How do you make hot chocolate with a mix?
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.
Recipe FAQs
No, technically hot chocolate and hot cocoa are different. Hot chocolate is usually made from melted chocolate and milk, while hot cocoa is made from cocoa powder and sugar. However, many people use the terms interchangeably.
Mix 3 tablespoons of sugar with 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, then add 1 cup of boiling water and stir until dissolved. Or add ¼ cup of this hot chocolate mix to 1 cup of hot water or milk and stir.
Add marshmallows, candy canes, or chocolate or caramel syrup. Add a tablespoon of chocolate chips to the hot cocoa and stir until they're melted. Add espresso powder for a mocha version, or a pinch of cinnamon and cayenne for Mexican hot chocolate.
Hot chocolate mix definitely tastes better when made with whole milk rather than with water. It's really creamy that way! You can also use heavy cream or half and half too if you want the most creamy hot chocolate.
Serving Hot Chocolate Mix
If you're looking for other other hot drinks to enjoy, try our recipes for French hot chocolate, French press coffee, moka pot coffee, and pour over coffee.
Expert Tips
- Sift to remove any pesky lumps.
- 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 our free printable gift tags for your gift jars.
- Store in jars or airtight containers for up to 6 months.
Other Hot Drinks You'll Love
Recipe
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Ingredients
- 3 cups powdered whole milk or nonfat milk
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 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 1½ 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. See Notes for a printable gift tag.
Video
Notes
- Sift to remove any pesky lumps.
- 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 our free printable gift tags for your gift jars.
- Store in jars or airtight containers for up to 6 months.
Nutrition
Serving sizes and nutritional information are only an estimate and may vary from your results.
Lorraine. Burt
Hey Emma, my daughter in love is highly celiac. I'm always cautious with new ideas for her. Can I use your Hot Choc in a Jar idea as is with her? lorraine
Emma Fajcz
That sounds lovely, Lorraine! Yes, this recipe is gluten free and safe for celiacs. However, be sure that all the ingredients are gluten free and have not been cross-contaminated (especially the corn starch). I hope she enjoys the hot chocolate mix!
Connie
I can’t wait to try this, it looks so yummy and easy to make
Emma
Thank you, Connie! Let us know once you give it a try!