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Hi Bold Bakers!
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE: This homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe is just what you need to get you through these cold winter months!
- SO easy to make: 4 simple ingredients and one mixing bowl is really all you need.
- Better than storebought: There is nothing wrong with Swiss Miss, but this homemade version uses quality ingredients, which results in a richer and chocolatier flavor. It is also inexpensive to make !
- Great holiday gift: Everyone loves a thoughtful gift! Make this hot chocolate mix, add some Homemade Chocolate Truffles (hot chocolate bombs) and give them out as holiday gift packages!
I cherished making hot chocolate as a kid, blissfully unaware that I could create my own unique blend. The comforting ritual of grabbing a jar of store-bought hot cocoa mix was a familiar one, yet I soon discovered that true magic lies in homemade concoctions. Now, blending cocoa and sugar has become a cherished tradition for me, transforming ordinary moments into warm, nostalgic treats.
For the best results with your homemade hot chocolate powder, be sure to simmer the mixture in a pot on the stove. This activates the cornstarch and thickens your hot chocolate, creating that rich texture we all love. If you heat the milk separately and pour it over the powder in your mug, you might miss out on that delightful thickness!
Bold Bakers Loved This!
“I just made this and it is soooooo good, I don’t think I’ve ever had hot chocolate this creamy before no matter where I’ve bought it or what Restaurant I’ve had it in” – Fiona
“My 10 y.o. made this recipe to fill ornament gifts. Simple recipe for a delicious mix, and she could do the whole project herself” – Kathryn
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 11/23/2024, to include substitutes of key ingredients of Hot Chocolate Mix, serving ideas, make-ahead and storage instructions, and Pro Chef Tips.
Table of Contents
- What is Hot Chocolate Mix?
- Tools for Hot Chocolate Mix
- Key Ingredients for Hot Chocolate Mix
- How to Make Hot Chocolate Mix
- Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
- Serving Ideas
- Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
- What is the Shelf Life of Hot Chocolate Mix?
- FAQs
- More Homemade Festive Drinks Recipe
What is Hot Chocolate Mix?
Hot Chocolate Mix is a blend of powdered ingredients to make Hot Chocolate or hot cocoa.
- It typically includes cocoa powder, sugar, powdered milk, and sometimes cornstarch.
- The mix is designed to be easily combined with hot water or milk to create a quick and convenient cup of hot chocolate.
- Some variations may also include additional flavors such as vanilla, cinnamon, or even coconuts.
Tools for Hot Chocolate Mix
Key Ingredients for Hot Chocolate Mix
Dry milk powder
- Dry milk powder is fresh milk that has had almost all of its liquid removed through evaporation.
- It adds a rich and creamy texture, contributing to a silkier mouthfeel compared to the one without it.
- It provides storage convenience and simplifies the process by requiring hot milk or water.
- Substitutes:
- Plant based dry “milk” powder: Dry soy milk powder is a great substitute here although it might be hard to find. Try ordering it online.
- Vegan protein powder: Use your favorite dairy free protein powder here. Just make sure it is unflavored or vanilla flavor, and that it dissolves in hot liquids.
Granulated sugar
- Sugar sweetens Hot Chocolate Mix, balancing the bitterness from cocoa powder.
- Moreover, sugar dissolves easily in hot liquids, giving it a smoother texture.
- Substitutes:
- Sugar Replacement: Check out my Sugar Substitute Chart for a sugar free hot chocolate mix.
Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Unsweetened cocoa powder is the primary source of chocolate flavor. It imparts a rich and intense chocolate taste to the beverage.
- Its deep, brown hue adds to the visual appeal.
- Using unsweetened cocoa powder gives you greater control over the sweetness level of your hot chocolate.
- Substitutes:
- Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder: This term refers to cacao powder that has been neutralized with an alkaline solution and therefore is less acidic. It has a milder flavor but will work well here.
Cornstarch
- Cornstarch is a thickening agent, helping create a velvety hot chocolate.
- In addition, cornstarch also absorbs moisture, preventing Hot Chocolate Mix from clumping. It Serves the same purpose as in Homemade Powdered Sugar.
How to Make Hot Chocolate Mix
Make The Cocoa Mix
- Sieve: Place a sieve over a large bowl and sieve together all of the ingredients.
- Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Make a Mug of Hot Chocolate
- Mix: In a small pot, add 2 Tablespoons of the homemade cocoa mix for every cup of milk (240ml) and stir.
- Heat up: Bring this mixture to a simmer stirring constantly and pour into a mug. Enjoy with marshmallows.
Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
- Use whole milk powder for a richer taste, creamier texture, and more nutrients.
- A small pinch of salt can enhance the overall flavor of hot chocolate, balancing sweetness and enhancing the chocolatey notes.
- Add your favorite spices to turn it into Mexican hot chocolate.
- If you plan to make a big batch and give it out in mason jars as gifts, make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Add 1 Tablespoon of this hot cocoa mix to your coffee for a homemade mocha.
Serving Ideas
- Pairing: Serve your hot chocolate with these treats or your favorite cookies for a delightful and comforting snack:
- Toppings: Elevate your homemade hot chocolate by topping it with:
- Frozen Whipped Cream
- Homemade Marshmallow Recipe with 3 Amazing Flavors
- Chocolate shavings
- Flavorings: Add your favorite flavorsto make this Holiday drink unique.
- Stir your hot cocoa using my Peppermint Candy Spoons to get a lovely hint of mint.
- Spice it up with a sprinkling of cinnamon, nutmeg or even cayenne pepper if you feel adventurous.
- Try adding Vanilla Extract, Almond Extract, or Homemade Simple Syrups like vanilla, peppermint, or caramel.
Make Ahead and Storage Instructions
Make-Ahead:
- Prepare The Mixture: Mix all your dry ingredients and keep the mixture in your pantry ready to be added to your hot milk anytime.
Storage:
- Room Temperature: Store your homemade hot cocoa mix in an airtight container in a cool, dark place, away from moisture and heat, to maintain freshness and prevent clumping.
- Refrigeration: Once you have combined your hot cocoa mix and liquid of choice, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: I do not recommend freezing this homemade hot cocoa mix recipe.
What is the Shelf Life of Hot Chocolate Mix?
It stays fresh for up to 12 months. But monitor for changes in flavor or texture.
FAQs
Is hot chocolate mix the same as cocoa powder?
No, Hot Chocolate Mix is different from cocoa powder.
- Hot chocolate mix usually contains cocoa powder but may also include sugar, milk powder, and other ingredients.
- In comparison, cocoa powder usually does not contain anything else.
Do You Make Hot Chocolate With Water or Milk?
For a creamy mug of hot chocolate, my preference would be to use milk instead of water to make your hot chocolate. However, there is dried milk in the mix so if you do use water it will still be ‘milky’.
What can I use instead of milk or water to make hot chocolate from this Hot Chocolate Mix?
You can also use almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, cashew milk, or other dairy or dairy-free milk of your choice.
Can I make a dairy-free hot chocolate mix?
Yes, you can make a dairy-free hot chocolate mix by using non-dairy milk powder or omitting milk powder altogether.
Is this Hot Chocolate Mix gluten-free?
Yes, this is a gluten-free mix recipe.
Can I make a sugar-free hot chocolate mix?
Yes, you can make a sugar-free hot chocolate mix by using a sugar-free substitute from my Sugar Substitute Chart.
Can I Use Hot Chocolate Powder Instead of Cocoa Powder?
Great question! NO, no you can not!
Do you know how I know that you were thinking of doing that? because when I was young I used to use hot chocolate powder in my baking when I had used all of my mum’s cocoa powder. Although hot chocolate powder does contain cocoa powder it also has extra sugar and other ingredients that you just don’t want in your baked goods.
Can I use Dutch-processed cocoa powder in this Hot Chocolate Mix?
Yes, you can use Dutch-processed cocoa powder but keep in mind:
- Dutch-processed cocoa powder is milder so not to adjust the quantity of sugar in your hot chocolate mix to ensure the right level of sweetness.
- Its darker color can be visually appealing, but if you prefer a lighter color, you might want to adjust the ratio of cocoa powder in this Hot Chocolate Mix.
More Homemade Festive Drinks Recipe
- Homemade Starbucks Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
- Rompope (Mexican Egg Nog)
- The Creamiest Homemade Egg Nog
- Homemade Starbucks Peppermint Mocha
- Homemade White Hot Chocolate
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recipe was improved and updated on 11/23/2024, to include substitutes of key ingredients of Hot Chocolate Mix, serving ideas, make-ahead and storage instructions, and Pro Chef Tips.
Try These Recipes!
Watch The Recipe Video!
How to Make Hot Chocolate Mix
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (7 ½ oz/212 g) dry milk powder
- ½ cup (4 oz/115 g) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (2 oz/57 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Sieve all the ingredients into a bowl.
- Keep in an air-tight container indefinitely.
To Make a Mug of Hot Chocolate
- Add 3 tablespoons of the Hot Chocolate mix to 8 oz milk or water into a saucepan and stir. Simmer on medium/low heat for 2 minutes until smooth and slightly thickened.
- Pour into a mug and serve with homemade marshmallows or Frozen Whipped Cream
Recipe Notes
- Use whole milk powder for a richer taste, creamier texture, and more nutrients.
- A small pinch of salt can enhance the overall flavor of hot chocolate, balancing sweetness and enhancing the chocolatey notes.
- Add your favorite spices to turn it into Mexican hot chocolate.
- If you plan to make a big batch and give it out in mason jars as gifts, make sure the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Add 1 Tablespoon of this hot cocoa mix to your coffee for a homemade mocha.
General question here… What is the corn Starch for?
Could I make it in the microwave instead of a saucepan?
My daughter and I mixed this in our coffee. We added a splash of half and half and a little bit of sugar. It was very yummy.
Hi Gemma, I just made this and it is soooooo good, I don’t think I’ve ever had hot chocolate this creamy before no matter where I’ve bought it or what Restaraunt I’ve had it in, I actually used coconut dried milk powder as my sons girlfriend is vegan and I can give her some now as well, I made mine with full fat milk and not water and they can make theirs with plant based milk so that way everyone’s happy, now all I’ve got to do is find a recipe somewhere for vegan marshmallows ????, thanks again Gemma your… Read more »
Hi – I’ve been advised to “avoid dairy”. I use almond milk and sometimes an oat beverage. Also I have to watch my sugars, being diabetic. Can I modify your recipe somehow?
Can you use stevia in place of sugar for those of us who are diabetics?
oh sounds yummy! I am going to make some tonight. I am going to go ahead and add dehydrated marshmallows too for the full hot cocoa mix experience 🙂
My 10 y.o. made this recipe to fill ornament gifts. Simple recipe for a delicious mix, and she could do the whole project herself!
I found it was way too much milk powder for the amount of cocoa and sugar. Topped my jar up with both after making first batch of hot chocolate.
lovely gift idea, I used grocery store brand chocolate & it isn’t very rich, so I would use a more flavorful brand next time. Also, it needs hot milk, hot water is just way too watery. Half hot water half milk is ok. Overall I think it could be good with better ingredients and some fun additions like crushed peppermints or dehydrated marshmallows. I did use a sugar substitute, a monkfruit blend, in the same amount & the sweetness was right on. I will fill hot cocoa bombs with this batch & I think it will be just right.