Adventures of Mel

Quick and Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

homemade hot chocolate mix in a large glass jar on a red tablecloth

Written by

Mel Lockcuff

in

, , ,

How to make the best homemade hot chocolate mix. Easy recipe, perfect for gifts in a jar. Makes a rich and creamy hot cocoa that’ll warm you right up.

Homemade hot chocolate mix makes the creamiest cup of hot chocolate, the perfect warm beverage to cozy up with on a cold winter day. Made with only 4 ingredients, it’s also simple and easy to make. And it makes the best hot chocolate cookies!

homemade hot chocolate mix in a jar with a spoon this recipe

My middle child, Jaden, and I share a love for homemade hot cocoa. I think it started when he was around preschool age, and I’d mix him up some hot chocolate in his festive little snowman cup.

Ever since, we’ve loved coming in together out of the cold to a teapot full of hot water, a warm mug of homemade hot chocolate, and a handful of mini marshmallows.

Don’t get me wrong… We enjoy our store bought mix. One of our favorites has always been Swiss Miss.

But I really wanted to try making our own hot cocoa mix, so I did a little research and came up with my own recipe for a homemade hot cocoa mix.

Another one of my favorites throughout the winter months, and especially around Christmas, is this homemade hot chocolate with chocolate chips. Only 3 ingredients, and it’s so creamy delicious!

hot chocolate mix recipe in cracker jar and made into homemade hot chocolate with mini marshmallows in Disney Bambi mug

WHERE CAN I FIND THE ACTUAL RECIPE CARD?

If you’d rather skip all of my tips, important info for this recipe, and similar recipe ideas – and get straight to the recipe – just scroll down to the bottom, where you’ll find a printable recipe card.

[mv_video doNotAutoplayNorOptimizePlacement=”false” jsonLd=”true” key=”u9abtl4gqayami6q1wkf” sticky=”false” thumbnail=”https://mediavine-res.cloudinary.com/v1572903701/aynzktwa93pakmoxre1p.jpg” title=”Quick and Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix” volume=”100″]

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

Keep in mind, all of the ingredient amounts you’ll need are in the printable recipe card below.

KITCHEN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT YOU’LL NEED:

Large Mixing Bowl

Whisk

Cupcake Scoop – Makes it super easy to scoop the mix into a jar or container.

Airtight Container or Jar

Cute Coffee Mugs

Homemade hot chocolate mix also makes great Mason jar gifts. Grab a pretty Mason jar, fill it with your mix, and maybe add a few mini marshmallow bits for even more yumminess.

Add a pretty gift tag (with mixing instructions) or a holiday recipe card, and a ribbon or bow, and you’ve got a meaningful homemade gift in a jar your recipient will really enjoy.

HOW TO MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE MIX FROM SCRATCH

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder to help remove any lumps. 
  2. Add in the dry milk powder.
  3. Then add the coffee creamer, and whisk everything together ’til mixed well.
  4. Add your homemade hot chocolate mix to an airtight container or jar for storage.
steps for how to make hot chocolate mix from scratch in Pioneer Woman jadeite mixing bowl
  1. To mix up a cup of homemade hot chocolate, add 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix to your favorite mug.
  2. Add 8 ounces hot water to the mix in the mug.
  3. Stir everything together well.
  4. Add mini marshmallows or peppermint whipped cream to top it off. You can also add candy canes to make it even more festive.
adding homemade hot cocoa mix with water and mini marshmallows to Disney Bambi mug

CAN I USE A CHOCOLATE DRINK MIX INSTEAD OF COCOA POWDER?

No, I wouldn’t recommend doing this, because if you do, you’ll be adding extra sugar and other ingredients to your hot chocolate mix. It will not turn out the way it should and will probably be way too sweet.

homemade hot chocolate with mini marshmallows and a spoon in a Disney Bambi mug

IS HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE MIX GLUTEN-FREE?

It really depends on the ingredients you use.

Dry milk can have wheat or the possibility of contamination with wheat. So, you really need to look for a specifically gluten-free instant dry milk powder if you need gluten-free.

Also, watch your cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and coffee creamer to be sure they don’t have any cross-contamination.

hot cocoa mix made into homemade hot cocoa in mug with spoon and mini marshmallows

MORE FESTIVE BEVERAGE RECIPES:

You’ll find even more holiday recipe inspiration on my ultimate list of Christmas recipe ideas.

GET THE PRINTABLE HOT CHOCOLATE MIX RECIPE

If you love this homemade hot cocoa mix as much as I do, please write a 5 star review, and help me share the recipe on Facebook and Pinterest!

quick and easy hot chocolate mix recipe

CRAVING MORE DELICIOUS RECIPES? Subscribe to my newsletter, and follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram for all the latest updates!

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

How to make the best homemade hot chocolate mix. Easy recipe, perfect for gifts in a jar. Makes a rich and creamy hot cocoa that'll warm you right up.

  • Scoop
  • 1-Gallon Jar
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 cups instant dry milk powder
  • 1/2 cup French Vanilla coffee creamer

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder to remove any lumps. 

  2. Mix in the dry milk powder.

  3. Then add the coffee creamer, and whisk everything together ’til mixed well.

  4. Add the homemade hot chocolate mix to an airtight container or large jar with lid for storage.

  5. To mix up a cup of homemade hot chocolate, add 1/2 cup hot chocolate mix to your favorite mug. Add 8 ounces hot water. Stir everything together well. Top it off with mini marshmallows or whipped cream.

*Do not substitue a chocolate drink mix for unsweetened cocoa powder. If you do, you’ll be adding extra sugar and other ingredients to your hot chocolate mix. It will not turn out the way it should and will probably be way too sweet.

**Dry milk can have wheat or the possibility of contamination with wheat. So, if you need a gluten-free option, you really need to look for a specifically gluten-free instant dry milk powder. Also, watch your cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and coffee creamer to be sure they don’t have any cross-contamination.

6. You can add warm milk instead of hot water. With the milk powder, I find that it’s creamy enough, so I simply add hot water to my mix and stir it up.

Beverage, Drinks
American
homemade hot chocolate, homemade hot chocolate mix, homemade hot cocoa, homemade hot cocoa mix, hot chocolate mix in a jar, hot chocolate mix recipe, hot cocoa mix, hot cocoa mix in a jar, how to make hot chocolate mix from scratch

Comments

20 responses to “Quick and Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix”

  1. Arlene

    Great idea !!! Thank You

    Reply
    1. Mel Lockcuff

      Thanks, Arlene!

      Reply
  2. Julie

    I made it and I don’t want to be critical, but I added a Package of choc pudding mix and a 1/2 cup of coffeemate dry creamer and I liked it better. Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Mel Lockcuff

      No problem, Julie. Thanks for the feedback!

      Reply
  3. Sue

    Don’t understand what the cross contamination concern is

    Reply
    1. Mel Lockcuff

      Sue, the cross-contamination is only relevant if gluten is a concern. This recipe can be made gluten free by using gluten free ingredients, but it is important to check the labels, as some of the ingredients may either be processed in a factory with other wheat products, or they may even contain wheat without my knowledge. Just a few tips to those with gluten allergies. I hope this helps!

      Reply
  4. Gloria

    Can’t wait to try

    Reply
    1. Mel Lockcuff

      Sounds great, Gloria!

      Reply
  5. Deborah Tuck

    I have just made this and can only get 13 1/2 cup servings from this recipe instead of the 24 shown. Should it be 1/4 cup mix per serving?

    Reply
    1. Mel Lockcuff

      Deborah, it’s 1/2 cup mix per serving. That’s odd, as I usually get 24 servings out of it.

      Reply
    2. Shawna

      I agree. The dry ingredients added together (2 c, 1.5 c, 3 c, and .5c) only total 7 cups. I got 13 servings out of it myself.

      Reply
      1. Mel Lockcuff

        Shawna, I’ll be sure to look into it.

        Reply
    3. Gina Howren

      Since the dry ingredients = 7 cups; the closest to 23 servings would be 21 servings of 1/3 cup each!! Idk where 23 comes from! 🤷🏻‍♀️
      I am planning to set up a hot chocolate bar at my husband’s office and intend to use this mix with some add-ins!! I am excited to try it!!

      Reply
  6. Delaney

    Am I able to substitute whole milk for dry skim milk?

    Reply
    1. Mel Lockcuff

      That would work great, Delaney. I would simply leave the dry milk out, substituting the milk in place of the water that the recipe calls for.

      Reply
  7. Laurie

    I just mixed some up for my Christmas boxes (cookies, appetizers, cocoa with personalized mugs, gifts, etc.) for my adult ‘kids’ and their families. We are doing a “Covid Christmas Eve” via Facebook Messenger Online. The boxes will be delivered on the 23rd with goodies for our celebration.

    Back to the cocoa. I used a ‘super food creamer’ which is mostly coconut (vegan, no gmo, gluten free). It tastes delicious!!!!! Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  8. Sharon Twichell

    Being the crazy year, that 2020 has been, and along withm tighter than normal purse strings. Gifts are going to be a tad different. I have decided on all homemade. Your cocoa is going to be one of those gifts. I love the look of cocoa in a jar and hopefully, others will, too!

    Thanks for posting!

    Reply
    1. Mel Lockcuff

      Thank you, Sharon! That’s a great idea.

      Reply
  9. Kimberly

    It seemed to need extra powdered sugar to be sweet enough.

    Reply
    1. Mel Lockcuff

      Kimberly, thank you for sharing!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More posts