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Need an easy recipe that yields great hot chocolate just like the store-bought mixes? Then this is for you!
Easy Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe
But on to today’s Hot Chocolate mix. You can make this one and leave in your pantry for the next time everyone is craving some hot chocolate!
Did you know that most store-bought mixes are full of fillers and junk like artificial flavors? Yuck!
I knew there had to be a better way, so I decided to make one! I already have my favorite traditional hot chocolate recipe. It’s warm, creamy and everything you’d ever want in a hot cocoa (there’s even a dairy-free version if you need it).
As much as I love that recipe, I wanted a version that I could make in bulk once and always have on hand when the kids need a cup of cocoa after playing outside in the cold.
This mix is that recipe! It’s healthier than store-bought, can cater to individual tastes and food intolerances and it’s much more cost-conscious as well. A total win.
And just wait until you taste it.
How It’s Made
When you see how easy it is to make your own hot chocolate mix, you’ll wonder why you’ve been buying store-bought mixes all these years. I know I do!
But making it at home, couldn’t be easier. All you need is a food processor and a couple of pantry essentials.
Simply mix all the ingredients in your processor until thoroughly combined. If you don’t happen to have a food processor, that’s okay! You can do the same in a large bowl, just make sure that all the ingredients are mixed together completely.
Store your hot chocolate mix in an air tight jar or zip bags for safe keeping until you’re ready to use it.
Hot Chocolate Mix Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need the following:
- Cocoa powder
- Powdered sugar
- Powdered milk (or non-dairy milk)
- Salt
- Cornstarch
The cornstarch is added to help prevent caking, so it can be omitted if desired.
You can also add 1 cup of chocolate or white chocolate chips to the mix. Sometimes, I’ll add them whole and other times I’ll chop them up in the food processor with everything else.
I’ve found that melty-hot chocolate chips make the perfect addition to a steaming cup of cocoa.
And speaking of additions, we’ve tried this recipe a bunch of different ways and each one is more delicious than the last!
Flavor add-ins
Start with the basics… and then twist it up until you find the perfect combination. Each of these favor mix-ins are to be added to the cup of prepared cocoa. Not the mix.
Here are a few of my favorites:
- Homemade Jumbo Marshmallows
- Whipped cream
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (for the truly brave!)
- Sprinkles of shaved chocolate
- Sprinkles of crushed peppermint or candy cane
- A shot of espresso, added before the hot water (for mom)
This makes a great gift too – just pack some in a jar or air-tight container and top with some homemade marshmallows, chocolate chips, or crushed peppermint candy. What a nice treat to say “Thanks!” or even “Just because.”
DIY Hot Cocoa Mix
This homemade Hot Chocolate Mix recipe is the perfect addition to your pantry! Rich, creamy cocoa that you can make ahead & store for when you need it.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 5 mins
- Yield: 11 1x
- Category: Drinks
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 cup cocoa powder (Dutch-process preferred)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 1/2 cups powdered milk (or non-dairy milk)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch (optional*)
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl or food processor, and mix well.
- Store in an air tight container
For serving:
- Put 1/3 to 1/2 cup of the mix into a mug, and fill to 1 cup with hot water. Mix well.
Notes
- If you prefer using fresh milk, leave the powdered milk out of the mix. Add 3 tablespoons of the powdered mixture to the mug, and fill to 1 cup with hot milk.
- Recipe slightly adapted from Alton Brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 123
- Sugar: 24.3g
- Sodium: 131.mg
- Fat: 1.1g
- Saturated Fat: 0.6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1.1mg
- Fiber: 2.3g
- Protein: 3.3g
- Cholesterol: 1.1mg
Keywords: hot chocolate mix, hot cocoa, homemade hot chocolate,
Could I omit the powdered milk and just use milk when we go to use the mix? Thanks!
This was a really good recipe great for a stay at home dad
★★★★★
Awesome! Glad you liked it!
I was looking for a recipe just like this. Wanted simple cocoa mix and then just add hot water. Thanks!!!
★★★★★
Hope you enjoy it, June!
Funny (or not)…I was just searching hot cocoa mix recipes and it turns out this is exactly the same as Alton Brown’s recipe from food network. C’mon girl, at least use a disclaimer.
He was given credit in the recipe (last sentence)in the notes section.
I don’t understand the people that complain on these recipes, heaven help us if two recipes for the same drink are similar. Oh my goodness, it’s plagiarism. Come on people. You have way too much time on your hands. If you don’t like the recipe then go to another website. Just leave other people alone. This is seriously ridiculous.
Thanks McKenzie. But it was sourced, in the recipe as needed and not plagiarized.
Yum! I’ve been looking for AGES for a homemade cocoa mix that we liked and that called for hot water rather than hot milk to use it. This is perfect. 1/3 c. in a mug plus 8 oz. of hot water (using my Keurig!) works perfectly. Stir and done. Cheaper than the hot cocoa k-cups, and no artificial sweetener like they contain. Thank you so much!
★★★★★
Delicious and very chocolatey! I used the Dutch process cocoa as recommended, and I used whole milk powder (as opposed to nonfat) which made it so creamy. It is easy to add a little extra sugar or cocoa powder to customize it to your tastes – I had a leftover bit of dark baking chocolate, so I grated it with a Microplane and added it to make the cocoa extra dark. :)
★★★★★
Yum. Delicious. Thanks for the great recipe :)
★★★★★
Blecch. I much prefer the Safeway brand. There isn’t much taste to this. Glad I made only half a batch to start.
★
what kind of chocolate did you use? did you modify the recipe correctly since you made half of it? because it’s very chocolatey and sweet.
Where do I get powdered sugar?
It is available at grocery stores near the granulated sugar.
Powdered milk is usually near baking supplies too, often with the condensed and evaporated milk. Non-dairy can be found at specialty groceries and online.
Tina, do you live in Canada? Powdered sugar is called icing sugar here… does that help?