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.
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. Another favorite is hot chocolate with chocolate chips; it's so rich and creamy.
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.
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:
Cupcake Scoop – Makes it super easy to scoop the mix into a jar or container.
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
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder to help remove any lumps.
- Add in the dry milk powder.
- Then add the coffee creamer, and whisk everything together ’til mixed well.
- Add your homemade hot chocolate mix to an airtight container or jar for storage.
- 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 to the mix in the mug.
- Stir everything together well.
- Add mini marshmallows or peppermint whipped cream to top it off. You can also add candy canes to make it even more festive.
Serve with your favorite holiday candy, like this amazing buckeye recipe, for an especially festive treat.
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.
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.
MORE FESTIVE BEVERAGE RECIPES:
- Easy Orange Sherbet Punch
- Homemade Raspberry Hot Chocolate
- Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Party Drink with a Touch of Tangerine
- Easy Slow Cooker Mulled Cider
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!
You can find my original recipe for hot chocolate mix over at Adventures of Mel!
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Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Equipment
- The Pioneer Woman Timeless Beauty Ribbed Glass Bowl
- Wilton Scoop-It Batter Spoons, Set of 3
- Anchor Hocking 1-Gallon Cracker Jar with Brushed Aluminum Lid, Set of 4, Clear Glass
Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder*
- 3 cups instant dry milk powder**
- 1/2 cup French Vanilla coffee creamer
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and cocoa powder to help remove any lumps.
- Add in the dry milk powder.
- Then add the coffee creamer, and whisk everything together 'til mixed well.
- Add your homemade hot chocolate mix to an airtight container or jar for storage.
- 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 to the mix in the mug.*
- Stir everything together well.
- Add mini marshmallows or peppermint whipped cream to top it off.
Could you use Vanilla protein powder in stead of creamer?
I can’t see why not, although I don’t think it would taste as good. Hey, it’s worth a try!
Not understanding how 7 cups of ingredients, total, produces 24 servings at 1/2 cup mix per serving ???
You’re right, Zee. I have some sort of miscalculating/misprint there. Thank You for pointing that out! I’ll have it fixed in no time at all…This recipe should make about 14 servings.
Do I have to use the dry creamer?
Yes, it has to by a dry creamer. This recipe is for dry hot chocolate mix, like Swiss Miss from the store. So it has to be dry.
Why do you use French Vanilla creamer instead of plain creamer?
Good question, Debbie. I prefer the flavor of French Vanilla creamer. Feel free to use whichever flavor you like best!
Can I place dehydrated mini marshmallows in the jar with the mix or should I keep them separate?
Donna, I recommend keeping those separate.