Need an easy recipe that yields great hot cocoa just like the store-bought packets? Then this is the hot cocoa mix recipe for you!
Whether you decide to make single packets like these or a big jar of it like I show you in the video; this post will show you how and how much to use for a great cup of hot cocoa!
Easy Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe
But on to today’s Hot Chocolate mix. You can make this one and leave it 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 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 to Make Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
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.
- Combine and process
Mix all the ingredients in your processor and process until thoroughly combined. It should be a smooth, fine powder. - Store
Store your hot chocolate mix in an air-tight jar or zip bag for safekeeping until you’re ready to use it.
You can also prepare this in a large bowl, just make sure that all the ingredients are mixed together completely. As always, you’ll find the exact measurements in the recipe card below.
Hot Cocoa Mix Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll need the following:
- Cocoa powder: because you can’t have hot cocoa without this ingredient.
- Powdered sugar: easily dissolves and thickens the consistency.
- Powdered milk: makes it creamy.
- Salt: enhances the cocoa and sugar.
- Cornstarch: prevents caking, but can be omitted if desired.
Want to spruce up your cup of cocoa? Add 1 cup of chocolate or white chocolate chips to the mix. Sometimes, I’ll add them whole or 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! Scroll down to the printable recipe card to see this recipe come together from mix to mug in this quick recipe video!
How to Keep Hot Cocoa Mix from Getting Clumpy
A teaspoon or two of cornstarch is the trick to prevent cocoa from clumping. You can certainly, go without it, but if you’re making a large batch to store future uses, it really helps the mixture to remain a fine powder.
What Type of Cocoa Powder is Best for Hot Cocoa
For this recipe, you’ll want to stick with unsweetened cocoa powder. Dutch-processed cocoa powder can have a flatter flavor and usually requires you to add more powdered milk and sugar.
It’s best to save Dutch-processed cocoa powder for recipes like my Homemade Oreos.
How to Make this Hot Cocoa Mix Dairy Free
You can substitute powdered milk for dairy-free powdered milk, such as soy milk powder in this recipe. You’ll simply keep the same quantities and follow the recipe. You can find dairy-free milk powder on Amazon.
Hot Cocoa Mix Flavor add-ins
Start with the basics… and then twist it up until you find the perfect combination. Each of these favor mix-ins is 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
Ingredients
- 1 cup cocoa powder, Dutch-process preferred
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 ½ 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 ⅓ to ½ cup of the mix into a mug, and fill to 1 cup with hot water. Mix well.
See How It’s Made
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.
Sherry
Came out sooper
Thx
Sherry
Addicted to this
Thx
Sherry
Tried it & awesome
Thx
Patricia Jurman
Sounds delicious, but pretty high carb. Do you think I could use Stevia instead of powdered sugar? Enjoy all your recipes.
Shannon
Why the salt? Is it necessary?
MOMables-Laura
It enhances the flavor of the cocoa powder and sugar.
Tracey Hunter
I would like to make a smores version of this, but I need your advice if I could add chocolate and peanut butter chips to this recipe. And could I add Graham cracker crumbs too? I have enjoyed your recipe but my grandkids think I should make the other too.
Tracy
Does it taste like a dunkaccino ?
MOMables - Laura
I’m not sure since there’s no coffee in it. You could mix it with hot coffee and make your own.
Brandi Beagle
Could I omit the powdered milk and just use milk when we go to use the mix? Thanks!
Es
What’s the cornstarch for? Would it taste very differently without it? Why is that optional?
MOMables-Laura
The cornstarch makes the cocoa a bit thicker and creamier tasting, but isn’t necessary.
John
This was a really good recipe great for a stay at home dad
Emilie Hebert
Awesome! Glad you liked it!
June
I was looking for a recipe just like this. Wanted simple cocoa mix and then just add hot water. Thanks!!!
Emilie Hebert
Hope you enjoy it, June!
Sandra MacKenzie
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.
MOMables
He was given credit in the recipe (last sentence)in the notes section.
Mckenzie Caudill
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.
MOMables
Thanks McKenzie. But it was sourced, in the recipe as needed and not plagiarized.
Sarah
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!
Caitlin
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. :)
Lara
Yum. Delicious. Thanks for the great recipe :)
Elyn
Blecch. I much prefer the Safeway brand. There isn’t much taste to this. Glad I made only half a batch to start.
MOMables
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.
Tina
Where do I get powdered sugar?
Kendra Peterson
It is available at grocery stores near the granulated sugar.
CandyC
Love it! Lots of flavor and richness!
MOMables-Laura
Thank you, Candy!
Kendra Peterson
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.
Elyn
Tina, do you live in Canada? Powdered sugar is called icing sugar here… does that help?