Homemade hot chocolate mix is an easy, cost-effective and delicious recipe that has just 6 ingredients and makes the perfect Christmas neighbor gift. It is rich, creamy and delicious, and is the perfect treat to sip all winter long!
This hot cocoa mix recipe is a favorite of ours- It's holiday happiness in a cup and you might just want to indulge in more than one cup at a time!
Use a frother or add a dollop of whipped cream for a truly decadent treat.
There is no better way to welcome winter than a cozy cup of hot cocoa. Filled with nostalgia, holiday memories and chocolatey goodness, its a joy that lasts year after year.
When we want a big pot of it on the stove to feed a crowd, we use this homemade hot chocolate recipe. But, when we want to have some for everyday, this powdered hot chocolate mix is the one we keep on hand!
We love making this homemade hot chocolate mix with Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins, or Meltaway Cinnamon Sugar Baked Doughnuts.
This homemade hot cocoa mix is a thick, chocolatey blended beverage that makes the most delicious drink for those cold nights, paired with snuggles on the couch and a good movie.
We also love packaging it and giving it to teachers, neighbors, and friends, along with some festive holiday mugs.
Why You’ll Love this Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
- It's so easy to make
- Perfect gifts for teachers, friends, and neighbors - makes enough for 3 pint-size jars
- Minimal Ingredients
- A delicious treat to last you all winter long
- Great festive holiday beverage
This is the best hot chocolate mix! Rich with flavor and packed with sweet chocolatey goodness, this is the perfect treat for the holiday season.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Ingredients
- Powdered Sugar
- Dried Milk- the quality of this ingredient is so important! Use the best you can find for the best flavor. We taste tested a bunch and ended up loving the nonfat signature select brand at Albertsons.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder- Dutch-processed is usually preferred, but our family liked the plain old Hershey's the best out of the ones we tested.
- Corn Starch- optional, but makes the hot chocolate mix slightly thicker and creamier.
- Sea Salt (fine)
- Chocolate Chips- mini chocolate chips. You can also use regular chocolate chips if you put your hot chocolate mix in the food processor to break them up a little.
- Vanilla Powder- optional. This is real powdered vanilla, not flavoring.
Recipe Variations
- Try these optional add-ins for a different flavor and texture- freeze dried marshmallows, candy canes, white chocolate chips, mint chips or a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Can use water or milk to make this recipe. Milk makes for a creamier and richer hot chocolate. We prefer water and then cooling it with a splash of milk or whipped cream.
- Most people prefer the taste of the dutch processed cocoa powder. It has less acidity and more flavor. Our family really likes the Hershey's cocoa, but we will continue to taste test other brands too.
- Dried Nonfat or whole milk works in this recipe - the taste will be a little different depending on fat content and quality of the ingredient. We taste tested a bunch and ended up loving the nonfat signature select brand at Albertsons.
- Always keep marshmallows on hand to top your hot chocolate, of course.
How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
- Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl.
- Transfer to an airtight container.
- To make a mug of hot chocolate: combine ½ cup mix with ¾ cup of hot milk or water, stir well until well-combined.
- Optional- top with whipped cream, marshmallows, crushed candy canes, etc.
The full printable recipe is below.
Tips
- Quality of ingredients matter - if you use poor quality ingredients, it will come through in the taste of the hot cocoa.
- An immersion blender or frother can help make a really frothy and delicious mug of hot chocolate.
- If you have the extra time, consider making your mix in a food processor with the best quality chocolate chips you can find. blend until chips are smaller pieces in the mix.
Christmas Neighbor Gift
We love giving this as a Christmas gift for friends and neighbors and they are so easy and fun to put together.
- Make hot chocolate mix and put it into airtight jars. This recipe makes enough for 3 pint-size jars.
- Find a basket and add the jar of hot chocolate mix, Christmas mugs, a bag of marshmallows, and candy canes. I also like to add gingerbread cookies.
- Optional- Tie each item with a festive Christmas ribbon or twine to make it feel extra special.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will this hot chocolate mix keep?
This homemade hot chocolate mix, if stored in an airtight container, can keep for up to 6 months. I suggest double checking the expiration date of your ingredients while making this mix for a more accurate date, and marking your container with permanent marker so you don't forget.
Why is my hot chocolate mix hard?
It is extremely important to properly place your cocoa mix into an airtight container away from moisture. Any moisture that gets in will cause your powder to cake up and become hard.
Is this hot chocolate better with milk or water?
We love it with water. Milk will make it more rich and creamy, but it is completely personal preference.
What is it used for?
- Perfect for gifting to teachers, friends and neighbors
- Prettiest neighbor gift for Christmas
- Great for cold morning/nights - compliments well to breakfast foods and late night treats
- Festive holiday beverage at social gatherings
- Perfect all winter long!
How to Store
Room Temperature- If stored properly, this hot cocoa mix will store well for up to 6 months, or up until the nearest expiration date of the ingredients.
Freezer- This mix can be stored in the freezer even longer. Allow mix to come to room temperature before making to avoid making your hot chocolate too cool.
Check Out These Delicious Holiday Treat Recipes
Christmas Peppermint Crispy Rice Treats- Perfect for parties, neighbor gifts, bake sales, and anything Christmasy, these gooey, soft, lightly peppermint flavored crispy rice treats only take a few minutes and are perfect for the holidays.
Peppermint Bark Pretzels - Make the season merry with peppermint bark pretzels! A fun twist on the classic recipe, this Christmas candy has sweet and salty layers of flavor, is easy to throw together and perfect to give as neighbor gifts for the holiday!
Candy Cane Cookies - Christmas Candy cane cookies are a delicious holiday dessert with nostalgic shape and classic festive colors. Made from our best sugar cookie dough recipe, these are a family favorite that we enjoy making all season long.
If you make this recipe, please rate it below- and I would love to see! Tag me on Instagram @ellaclaireblog
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Make delicious mugs of hot chocolate at home with this homemade hot chocolate mix recipe. Rich and packed with flavor and chocolatey goodness, its a treat that never gets old! This makes enough for 3 pint-size jars.
Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups dried milk *
- 1¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon vanilla powder Optional (this is real vanilla, not flavoring)
Instructions
Hot Chocolate Mix
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Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl.
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Transfer to an airtight container.
To Make a Mug of Hot Chocolate
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To make a mug of hot chocolate: combine ½ cup mix with ¾ cup of hot milk or water, stir well until well-combined.
Recipe Notes
Notes:
- We taste tested a bunch of dried milks in this recipe and ended up loving the nonfat signature select brand at Albertsons. Whole or nonfat dried milks both work in this recipe.
- If you find this recipe too rich, slightly decrease the amount of cocoa and half the chocolate chips.
- Use the best quality chocolate chips that you can find. It makes a big difference.
- Dutch processed cocoa powder is usually preferred, but our family loves the Hershey's one in this recipe.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix by Ella Claire & Co. | Easy Butter Mints by Handmade Farmhouse | White Chocolate Puff Corn by Inspired by Charm
Favorite Easy Christmas Cookies by French Country Cottage | Marshmallow Hot Cocoa Stirrer by Zevy Joy
Sally
This is a delicious hot cocoa recipe! My son and I had a lot of fun making it and we can’t wait to enjoy it with family over Christmas. Thank you!