Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Quick, easy and delicious, this is the best homemade hot cocoa mix you’ll ever try! It’s especially perfect for holiday gift giving!

Use this homemade hot cocoa mix to make some classic hot cocoa topped with whipped cream, or change it up with some Peppermint Hot Cocoa!

Better Than Store Bought!

Hot cocoa is one of my favorite things to sip on during the holiday season. When the snow starts falling I always start craving it! But I haven’t really found a store-bought cocoa that I really love. They’re all good, but are often expensive and full of all sorts of preservatives.

So this year I thought I’d make my own cocoa mix using a few pantry staples along with one or two secret ingredients. The results? The BEST homemade hot cocoa mix I’ve ever had!

Ingredient Tips:

• Milk Powder: I prefer using whole milk powder but often times nonfat is easier to find. Whole is slightly more rich and creamy while nonfat is a little more on the bitter side.
• White Chocolate: Not only does it helps sweeten things up (along with the powdered sugar), it also makes this cocoa extra smooth and creamy. Make sure you buy white chocolate, not vanilla chips… there’s a difference!
• Cocoa Powder: Probably the second most important ingredient! I prefer unsweetened dark or Dutch cocoa but natural works too if you prefer more of a milk chocolate flavor. And like I always say, use quality ingredients (especially cocoa), because you can definitely taste it in this recipe!
• Pure Vanilla Powder: That’s my secret ingredient! It’s what makes this recipe taste 10x better than any other recipe out there. Nielsen-Massey makes one that I love, and I use it in place of vanilla extract in dry mixes and baked goods. It’s worth the extra money, I promise! (It can also be found in the bulk spice section of stores that carry bulk foods) If you happen to have ground vanilla bean you can definitely use that too, I know I’ve used it in recipes and it’s excellent!

Making Hot Cocoa Mix

MIX + PUREE. Once you have your ingredients measured out, mix them together in a large bowl and then puree them in batches until the mix is nice and smooth (basically until the white chocolate is finely ground). That’s it!

To use, mix ¼ cup of the mix with 1 cup of warm water or milk. 

Store it in an airtight container for up to 6 months and enjoy at your leisure! As long as the hot chocolate remains dry, it should stay good. The older it gets the more the chocolate taste fades. But this is a great thing to keep in your food storage!

Whether you’re making a batch of this cocoa for your family or for holiday gifts, everyone is going to love it! If you’re feeling extra fancy you can buy those dehydrated marshmallows and mix those in, or package up some fluffy homemade marshmallows for people to add in later. I hope you’ll give this quick and easy recipe a try! 

Enjoy & happy holidays!

For more drink recipes, check out:

• Peppermint Hot Cocoa
• Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa
• Quick & Easy Horchata

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe

A warm mug of cocoa makes everything better. This Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix is creamy, easy to make, and the best companion for cold days and holiday nights.

4.80 from 25 votes

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Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Total Time: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 24 servings

Calories: 173kcal

Author: Andrea

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Ingredients

• ▢ 3 cup dry milk powder - nonfat or whole
• ▢ 2 cup powdered sugar
• ▢ 1 1/2 cup special dark cocoa powder - or Dutch process*
• ▢ 1 1/2 cup white chocolate chips - OR chunks**
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ 2 tsp pure vanilla powder***
• ▢ 1 cup dehydrated marshmallows - mini

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Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl, whisk together all ingredients. Working in 2–3 batches, pulse the ingredients in a food processor until the chocolate is finely ground. Add mini dehydrated marshmallows if desired, and stir to combine.
• To prepare the hot cocoa, put ¼ cup to ⅓ cup of the mix in a large mug and stir in 1 cup of hot water or milk.

VIDEO

NOTES

-Whole milk powder gives this cocoa a richer, creamier flavor.

-Add ground candy canes for a peppermint hot cocoa twist!

-If substituting ground vanilla bean for pure vanilla powder, use 1 tsp. Vanilla powder is available in bulk food sections and specialty stores like Sur La Table and Williams-Sonoma.

*High-quality cocoa powder is always the better choice. It delivers superior flavor compared to cheaper options. Natural cocoa powder can be used instead of dark or Dutch-process for a lighter, milk chocolate flavor.

**I prefer Ghirardelli white chocolate baking bars, chopped into chunks, for the best taste and texture.

***Nielsen-Massey is my go-to vanilla powder. It’s available at well-stocked grocery stores, specialty food shops, and online. It truly enhances the cocoa’s flavor and works well in dry mixes and baked goods.

STORE Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix in an airtight container, like a mason jar or sealed bag, in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.

Avoid exposure to moisture to keep it fresh and clump-free. If you want to freeze it, portion the mix into freezer-safe bags or containers. Thaw at room temperature before using.

 

Nutrition

Serving: 24serving | Calories: 173kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 5mg | Sodium: 142mg | Potassium: 383mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 330IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 218mg | Iron: 1mg