How to Make Hot Chocolate Mix

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Enjoy the hot cocoa of your dreams with this quick and easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix. It only uses 4 ingredients, and it can be customized with all your favorite hot cocoa flavors!

The Best Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

During the winter, it’s so important to have a stash of hot cocoa mix on standby. You could go out and buy some at the store, or you could whip some up at home in seconds! This simple guide will show you how to become a master hot chocolatier.

It all starts with a combination of 4 simple ingredients, and then you can customize your hot cocoa from there! There are so many different flavors you can make, from peppermint hot chocolate to mocha hot cocoa. Or you could stick to the basics and cozy up with some classic hot chocolate topped with melty mini marshmallows.

Why I Love This Recipe

Homemade hot chocolate mix makes a lovely gift. It’s an inexpensive option that has all the charm of a homemade present, and it can be adapted to suit any holiday or occasion. When you make someone cookies, they can enjoy them for about a week, but hot cocoa mix will stay good all year long!

A jar filled with hot chocolate mix on top of a black and white marble counter

What You’ll Need

When combined, the ingredients below produce a rich and creamy hot chocolate that’s not too bitter or too sweet. You can always adjust the amount of sugar if you’d like to tweak the sweetness level.

  • Dry Milk Powder: Nonfat or whole milk – your call!
  • Cocoa Powder: Use natural and unsweetened cocoa powder. This way, you have complete control over the amount of sugar added.
  • Sugar: Since this recipe calls for unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar is a must. I use granulated sugar and much prefer it to powdered sugar.
  • Salt: A small pinch of salt will enhance the chocolate flavor big-time.

How to Make Hot Chocolate Mix

This might be the easiest recipe in the whole wide world! You just have to mix everything up in a bowl.

  • Combine Ingredients: Whisk all of the ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl.
  • Store: Store the mix in an airtight container or jar.
  • Make Hot Chocolate: When you’re ready to make a cup of hot cocoa, mix 2-3 tablespoons of the hot chocolate mix with 8 ounces of hot water or milk in a mug. Serve with mini marshmallows or other toppings of choice.
Hot milk being poured into a cup containing homemade hot cocoa mix

Tips for Success

Before you combine any ingredients, take a look at these quick tips and suggestions. They’ll guide you toward your ideal hot cocoa!

  • For Maximum Creaminess: Go for whole milk powder rather than nonfat milk powder if you like a creamier hot cocoa. Because it contains fat, whole milk powder will naturally add a little more creaminess.
  • Don’t Add Extra Chocolate: I tried adding chopped chocolate to the mix and wasn’t crazy about it. Even when chopped quite small, it didn’t melt super well, nor did it seem to add much additional flavor.
  • Use Granulated Sugar: I encourage you to stick with regular granulated sugar. Powdered sugar won’t provide the same amount of sweetness.
  • Don’t Omit the Salt: Please don’t forget the salt! Salt can so easily be overlooked, but it really does enhance the flavor of everything – even hot chocolate.
A serving of hot cocoa in a glass mug with melting mini marshmallows on top

Hot Cocoa Variations

Need a specific kind of hot cocoa to satisfy your craving? I’ve got you covered!

  • Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Adding crushed peppermint to your hot chocolate mix makes it look and taste more festive! The bits of mint will melt in the hot cocoa and infuse it with peppermint flavor.
  • Spiced Hot Cocoa: I often like to add some warm spices to my hot chocolate, especially during the fall. You can use cinnamon, clove, nutmeg or a combination!
  • Drinking Chocolate: If you want to make a richer, more intense drinking chocolate rather than classic hot cocoa, simply replace about half of the sugar with unsweetened cocoa powder.
  • Mexican Hot Chocolate: A lot of people prefer a certain amount of spiciness in their hot cocoa. If this applies to you, go ahead and add in some cayenne pepper to taste.
  • Mocha Hot Cocoa: Feel free to toss in a scoop of espresso powder if you’d like a mocha flavored hot chocolate. Use decaf espresso powder if desired.
  • Spiked: I’m a big fan of some Irish cream in my hot chocolate for a fun twist. You could even try some Kahlua.
A glass mug full of homemade hot cocoa with peppermint candies in a bowl beside it

Serving Suggestions

When it’s time to serve your hot cocoa, you probably want to spruce it up with a quick topping or two. Here are some ideas besides the classic mini marshmallows!

  • Add Whipped Cream: When it comes to classic hot chocolate toppings, whipped cream is also at the top of the list. And it’s super easy to make yourself! You can keep it traditional or throw together this Baileys Chocolate Whipped Cream for added flavor.
  • Top with Salted Caramel: I’m a huge sucker for the rich, sweet and salty flavor combination of salted caramel hot cocoa. Drizzle some Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce over your drink to try it!
  • Set Up a Hot Chocolate Bar: For more fun serving ideas, be sure to check out my Hot Chocolate Bar Fiesta! If you’re going to make hot chocolate, why not throw a whole party for it?
Print
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A serving of hot cocoa in a glass mug with melting mini marshmallows on top
Recipe

How to Make Hot Chocolate Mix

  • Author: Lindsay
  • Prep Time: 2 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 minutes
  • Yield: 20
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Bowl
  • Cuisine: American

Description

Enjoy the hot cocoa of your dreams with this quick and easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix. It only uses 4 ingredients, and it can be customized with all your favorite hot cocoa flavors!


Ingredients

  • 2 cups (184g) dry milk powder, nonfat or whole milk
  • 3/4 cup (85g) natural unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup (155g) sugar
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Whisk all of the ingredients together in a medium sized bowl.
  • Store in an airtight container.
  • When ready to serve, mix 2-3 tablespoons of hot chocolate mix with 8 oz hot water or milk in a mug.
  • Serve with marshmallows or other toppings.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size:
  • Calories: 41
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 17.1 mg
  • Fat: 0.4 g
  • Carbohydrates: 9.6 g
  • Protein: 1.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 0.4 mg

Categories

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5 Comments
  1. Debbie Olson

    Very good, even made with Allulose. . . though I’m sure it would be better with real sugar! Used the Nido whole powdered milk, probably tastier than non-fat milk. Thanks for the recipe!






  2. Amanda Smith

    I forgot to add that I will be trying this one to compare, as I usually have regular sugar, and don’t always have powdered sugar handy! Thank you Lindsay for coming up with this!






  3. Amanda Smith

    To start with, I have not tried this specific recipe, but have one similar. Lol
    My recipe uses 2 cups of powdered sugar, 2 1/2 cups powdered milk, 1 cup cocoa, 1 tsp salt, 2 tsp cornstarch, and 2 tsp vanilla powder.
    I definitely see the difference in sugar amounts when using powdered!! 😲
    I love to use Auguson Farms Morning Moos milk powder in this. It tastes the most like regular hot chocolate to me. Haha
    Also, adding the vanilla powder gives it more flavor, and I don’t have to worry about adding the liquid vanilla to every cup I make. 🤪
    I’m not sure why the cornstarch (anti caking?)…






Lindsay
About Lindsay

I'm a wife and a mom to twin boys and a baby girl! And I've got a serious sweets addiction! Bring on the treats!

Scripture I’m Loving

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29