If you've been searching for the easiest, tastiest homemade hot chocolate mix, you're in the right place! This simple DIY recipe creates a smooth, chocolatey, café-quality drink with just a handful of ingredients. It stores well, makes a perfect holiday gift and can be customized with fun flavors like crushed candy canes or turned into a delicious mocha!
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Looking for more chocolate recipes? You have to try my candy cane chocolate bark or my milk chocolate almond bark, both are perfect for the holidays. Serve the best hot cocoa with a side of peanut butter blossom cookies, spiced ginger cookies, whipped shortbread cookies or hot chocolate cookies for a deliciously festive treat!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Making hot chocolate powder at home is so much better than store-bought!
- It is shelf-stable for months and, if stored properly, will keep for up to six months.
- Quick to make a big batch of hot chocolate mix. It only takes about 5 minutes to measure and sift the dry mix together.
- This recipe is easily customizable with flavor add-ins and dairy-free options!
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Hot Chocolate Mix Ingredients
- Whole Milk Powder - Whole milk powder makes the hot cocoa creamy. Avoid using skim milk powder.
- Cocoa Powder - Use Dutch process cocoa powder for the most intense, chocolatly flavor.
- Cornstarch - This is optional, but it helps slightly thicken the hot chocolate and is recommended to use.
- Vanilla Sugar - Vanilla sugar is a completely optional add-in.
- Milk - To make the hot chocolate, any kind of milk will work. We use whole milk or eggnog!
A full list of ingredients with exact quantities can be found on the recipe card below.
Flavor Variations, Toppings and Add-Ins
- Make Hot Chocolate Cookies - Use this hot chocolate mix to make my delicious hot chocolate cookies with toasted marshmallows!
- Maple Vanilla Syrup - Add some homemade maple vanilla coffee syrup to the prepared hot chocolate for an extra special treat!
- Toppings - Optional toppings include whipped cream, crushed candy canes, and mini marshmallows.
- Vanilla Sugar - Add one package (9 grams) of vanilla sugar.
- Dairy-Free Option - For a dairy-free hot chocolate powder, use coconut milk powder instead of whole milk powder and use vegan chocolate chips. To make the chocolate milk, use any dairy-free milk you prefer.
- Adult Version - Add 1oz of your favorite cream liqueur to each mug before adding the prepared hot cocoa.
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate - Add a teeny tiny splash of peppermint extract to the hot chocolate while you are preparing it (be careful, a little goes a long way).
- Make It A Mocha - To make the best mocha, add in 1-2 shots of espresso to the prepared hot chocolate. Or for a more classic version, mix half a mug of coffee with half a mug of prepared hot chocolate.
How To Make Hot Chocolate Mix
Step 1
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, sift together the whole milk powder, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch.
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Step 2
Add in the granulated sugar and chocolate chips and stir to combine.
Step 3
That's it! The hot chocolate mix is ready to use or store!
Turning The Mix Into Hot Chocolate
To turn the homemade hot chocolate mix into hot chocolate, in a saucepan, add the milk, water and ⅓ cup of dry mix. Heat until the chocolate chips are melted and the hot chocolate is warm. Top with optional toppings and serve!
Expert Tips
- When preparing the hot chocolate, avoid letting it come to a boil. Keep it at a simmer until the powder is dissolved and the chocolate chips are melted.
- Blend the hot chocolate mix in a food processor for an ultra-fine and smooth powder.
- Use high-quality Dutch process cocoa powder for the richest flavor.
- Serve this homemade hot chocolate with a plate of chocolate pastries for dipping! Yum!
Storage Tips
Store hot chocolate powder mix in an airtight container, mason jar or ziplock bag and keep in a cool, dry place for 3-6 months.
Gift this hot chocolate mix in cute mason jars, with a ribbon and candy cane for the holidays!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you will need to use powdered milk in this recipe. I highly recommend using whole milk powder so the hot chocolate is creamy. You can find whole milk powder at Bulk Barn, Costco and some grocery stores.
If you use skim milk powder, prepare the hot chocolate with 2 cups of milk and no water to avoid it being too watery.
Cocoa powder absorbs moisture. To prevent clumping, sift the ingredients together and add cornstarch.
Stored properly, it will last 3-6 months. Store the powder in an airtight container, and keep it in a cool, dry place.
The base recipe contains powdered milk, but you can replace it with coconut milk powder for a dairy-free version. Also, omit the chocolate chips or use vegan, plant-based chocolate chips instead of regular ones, which contain dairy.
To make one mug of hot chocolate, use ½ cup of milk, ½ cup of water and 2.5 Tablespoons of hot chocolate powder.
More Holiday Drink Recipes
This hot chocolate powder is a part of our 12 Days of Christmas Series - Season 1. Don't miss Day 1: Caramel Filled Bear Claw Cookies! 🎄
If you made this Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating, a 💬 comment and share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
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Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Hot Chocolate Dry Mix
- ½ cup Whole Milk Powder
- ¼ cup Powdered Sugar
- ¼ cup Granulated Sugar
- 2 Tablespoons Dutch Process Cocoa Powder
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- ½ cup Milk Chocolate Chips
To Make Hot Chocolate From The Dry Mix
- 1 cup Milk of choice
- 1 cup Water
- ⅓ cup Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
- Whip Cream Topping optional
- Mini Marshmallows optional
- Irish Cream optional
Instructions
- In a large bowl, sift together the powdered milk, powdered sugar, granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Store homemade hot chocolate mix in a mason jar, ziplock bag or airtight container. Keep in a dark, dry place and use within 6 months.
To Make Hot Chocolate
- In a medium-sized saucepan, add the milk, water, and hot chocolate mix. Whisk to combine and bring the hot chocolate to a simmer. Heat until the chocolate chips have melted, about 1-2 minutes and serve. Top with marshmallows, whipped cream or Irish cream liqueur.
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Notes
- Use whole milk powder to make the hot chocolate mix creamy. Skim milk powder will make it watery.
- Dutch process cocoa powder will give this hot chocolate the richest, most intense flavor.
- For preparing the hot chocolate, any kind of milk can be used, even eggnog! Just avoid heating the eggnog too much, as it can change the texture.
- To make this hot chocolate mix dairy-free, use coconut milk powder instead of whole milk powder and vegan chocolate chips. When preparing the hot chocolate, use plant or soy milk.
- Each ⅓ cup of hot chocolate powder will make 2-3 mugs of hot chocolate, depending on the size of your mugs.
- Do not let the hot chocolate come to a boil while preparing it, as this can cause the milk to separate.
- Turn it into a mocha by adding 1-2 shots of espresso to the prepared hot chocolate, or do half hot coffee, half hot chocolate.
- Store hot chocolate powder in an airtight container, in a cool, dry place for 3-6 months
- The nutrition information reflects one prepared batch of ⅓ cup dry mix, 1 cup milk, and 1 cup water.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Jessica says
This homemade hot chocolate powder has been a long-loved recipe in our family. It has been posted on my site for a long time now, and I gave it a big overhaul with new photos and ideas. I hope you love it!