Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

You probably don’t know this about me (and likely don’t care) but I’ll tell you anyhow. I grew up in Colorado and on snowy days there was nothing like coming back inside after being half frozen from building snow castles and equally half roasting from your snow suit to a nice, piping hot mug of hot cocoa.

side view of homemade hot chocolate with whipped cream and peppermint


 

Although I haven’t done this in ages, I did want to bring the joy of a marshmallow stuffed cup of hot chocolate to my kiddos and didn’t have a tin of hot cocoa mix, so you can guess the rest of this story.

I made my own. After a few tweaks, we had it right. And the trick? The secret? Powdered and granulated sugar.

homemade hot chocolate mix in a mason jar

Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe Ingredients

It is very basically and like most store bought spice blends and mixes, you likely have all the ingredients in your pantry. Mix up a large batch of this save it for a snowy day… or your ice cream in July.

how to make hot chocolate mix in a mixing bowl
  • Powdered Milk– Also known as instant dry milk, it is dehydrated milk.
  • Powdered Sugar– like confectioners sugar.
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder– if you use sweetened, omit the granulated sugar.
  • Granulated Sugar- this is your regular run-of-the mill sugar. Yes, there are two types of sugar.

If you want to make your mix super fine like the store bought stuff, place it in a food processor and give it a few pulses.

How to make Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Making this mix is super simple, but I do highly suggest sifting it to get just the right consistency. This helps it dissolve without clumps.

  1. Sift together the powdered milk, powdered sugar and cocoa powder.
  2. Then, whisk or stir in the granulated sugar.
  3. Store it in an air tight container in a cool, dry place.

How to use this Hot Chocolate Powder Recipe

To make hot chocolate using the mix, stir 1/3 cup of the dry hot chocolate mix with 1 cup of hot milk or water and stir until dissolved.

Top with mini marshmallow, chocolate chips, chocolate marshmallows or even stir sticks and whipped cream. Sometimes I even add a scoop of ice cream.

Can you make Hot Chocolate with water?

This hot chocolate mix can be made with water, especially since the mix contains dry milk. But if you want to make it ultra rich, use hot or warm milk. This can be regular milk, 2%, skim or even alternative milks like oat milk, almond milk or soy milk.

Is Hot Chocolate better with milk or water?

This is a personal preference, but I prefer mine with milk.

Hot Chocolate Mix Variations

Peppermint Hot Chocolate– Swirl a candy cane or add 1 drop of peppermint extract to water or milk.

overhead of two mugs of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and peppermint

Boozy Hot Chocolate – Always a favorite! Spiked hot chocolate is best with chocolate or coffee liqueur, whipped cream vodka or marshmallow vodka, Bailey’s Irish Cream or Peppermint Schnapps.

Almond Hot Chocolate– Add a drop of almond extract to hot milk or water.

Hazelnut Hot Chocolate – Same thing, add a drop of hazelnut extract.

Hot Chocolate Bombs– Fill these hollow chocolate orbs with hot chocolate mix and marshmallows! Make an excellent gift.

Flavored Coffee Creamer- Another quick and easy way to get a flavored cup of cocoa is to add a tablespoon of flavored coffee creamer.

Whipped Hot Chocolate This one just uses regular mix, but with heavy cream and makes it frothy and thick!

close up of whipped hot chocolate
Whipped Hot Chocolate

Homemade Hot Chocolate mix serving suggestions

Perfect for making a hot chocolate bar, you you can place each in a little bowl and allow your guests to build their own creation!

homemade hot chocolate on a platter

How to store and gift DIY Hot Chocolate

Store dry mix in a cool and dry place for up to 6 months. It is best in an airtight container or jar.

Homemade hot chocolate mix is great as a gift. Purchase cute glass jars or mason jars at your local craft store and then attach a hand written note with instructions on how to make the hot chocolate.

close up of homemade hot chocolate with peppermint whipped cream

Other Cold Weather Beverages

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Hot Buttered Rum

Are you looking for a hot cocktail that’s perfect for the colder weather heading our way? Hot Buttered Rum can be prepared right in your own home with ingredients you can grab from the kitchen.
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straight on shot of two mugs of white hot chocolate

Homemade White Hot Chocolate Recipe

Homemade White Hot Chocolate is the perfect drink for warming up on cold days. White chocolate hot chocolate is delicious, quick and easy to make! 
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close up of whipped hot chocolate

Whipped Hot Chocolate

Remember that dalgona whipped coffee trend? Well say hello to your newest obsession: this EASY Whipped Hot Chocolate recipe!
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homemade hot chocolate mix for pinterest
two white mugs of hot chocolate

Hot Chocolate Powder Recipe

4.37 from 33 votes
Easy homemade hot chocolate mix. Just add hot milk or water, stir and top with your favorite toppings. Great as a gift!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 10

Ingredients

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, sift together the dry milk, powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa.
  • Mix in the regular sugar by hand.
  • Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place to up to 3 months.
    dry hot chocolate mix in a mason jar
  • To make hot chocolate, combine 1/3 cup dry hot chocolate mix with 1 cup hot milk or water, stir well until dissolved. Add desired toppings and add-ins.
  • If you've tried this recipe, please come back and leave us a comment or rating!

Notes

Nutritional Values are for Hot Chocolate made with whole milk. 

Nutrition

Calories: 317 kcal, Carbohydrates: 50 g, Protein: 11 g, Fat: 11 g, Saturated Fat: 6 g, Cholesterol: 29 mg, Sodium: 128 mg, Potassium: 518 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 45 g, Vitamin A: 474 IU, Calcium: 342 mg, Iron: 1 mg
Author: Jessica Formicola
Calories: 317
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: homemade hot chocolate mix, hot cocoa mix
Did you make this recipe?I’d love to see your recipes – snap a picture and mention @savoryexperiments or tag #savoryexperiments!
creamy homemade hot cocoa
Jessica Formicola in her ktichen

About the Author

Chef Jessica Anne Formicola

Jessica the mom, wife and chef behind Savory Experiments. You might see her on the Emmy- nominated TV show Plate It! or on bookshelves as a cookbook author. Jessica is a Le Cordon Bleu certified recipe developer and regularly contributed to Parade, Better Homes & Gardens, The Daily Meal, Mashed and more!

Read More About Jessica

4.37 from 33 votes (25 ratings without comment)

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