Easy Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
on Jan 11, 2019, Updated Apr 19, 2024
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Easy homemade hot cocoa mix made with a few simple ingredients like powdered sugar, powdered milk, and cocoa powder that’s perfect to mix with hot water or milk for homemade hot chocolate.
Did you know that making your own hot cocoa mix is super easy and it only has 5 simple ingredients in it?! I love making homemade hot cocoa mix because it is so simple and budget-friendly. I also love that the ingredient list is short and familiar. Plus making hot cocoa mix like this and storing it in a reusable container really cuts down on waste that individual packets of hot cocoa mix can make. So no matter how you cut it, making DIY hot cocoa mix at home is a great option.
It’s a perfect treat after sledding and goes great with a batch of homemade microwave popcorn to go with it. We love that salty, crunchy popcorn snack with our smooth and sweet hot cocoa.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- With 5 ingredients, homemade hot cocoa mix is super easy to make and comes together in a few minutes.
- It’s more cost-effective than buying individual packets at the store.
- It makes a great gift, especially when paired with a couple enamel mugs and some toppings such as some mini marshmallows and peppermint sticks.
- Cuts down on the waste generated by individual packets of store-bought mix by storing it in a reusable container.
Tips and Tricks for Making Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix:
- Use a dutch-processed cocoa here to help make sure the cocoa isn’t bitter. The container will normally indicate if it’s dutch-processed, so just be on the lookout for it.
- This recipe makes a great gift when given in a pretty container or with a set of mugs.
- The salt balances the sweet and the cornstarch makes the texture smoother – don’t skip them.
- I’m obsessed with these Crow Canyon Home enamel mugs. I think you need some.
Flavor variations and serving ideas for your hot cocoa mix:
- Stir in a few chocolate chips (or a Hershey’s Kiss) into your cocoa while it’s hot to make it extra chocolatey.
- Use a candy cane to stir your hot chocolate for peppermint hot chocolate.
- Add a few marshmallows, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon to the top of your prepared hot cocoa to change things up.
- Use hot whole milk instead of water to make your hot cocoa extra creamy.
How do you make hot cocoa mix in a jar?
Simple! All you do is add the ingredients to a large bowl, stir, and then use a funnel or a small scoop to transfer the cocoa mix to a jar. You can use a mason jar with a screw-on lid or use a cute jar with a clamp down lid. Use whatever you have around the house!
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Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups of cocoa mix 1x
Description
Easy homemade hot cocoa mix made with a few simple ingredients like powdered sugar, powdered milk, and cocoa powder that’s perfect to mix with hot water or milk for homemade hot chocolate.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 1/2 cups powdered milk
- 1 cup cocoa
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to a large bowl and stir with a wire whisk to combine.
- Store in a large air-tight container in the pantry – it will keep for a long time.
- When ready to use, add 2 to 3 tablespoons of hot cocoa mix to 8 ounce of hot water or milk. Add more mix to taste. Stir well to combine.
Notes
- Use a dutch-processed cocoa here to help make sure the cocoa isn’t bitter.
- This recipe makes a great gift when given in a pretty container or with a set of mugs.
- The salt balances the sweet and the cornstarch makes the texture smoother – don’t skip them.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Category: drink
- Method: no bake
- Cuisine: American
Love chocolate? Here are a few other chocolate recipes that you might like:
- Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Double Chocolate Zucchini Bread
- Easy Chocolate Shortbread Cookies Recipe
- Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes
- Small Batch Double Chocolate Brownies
I hope you enjoy this mix to keep you warm and cozy this winter! Enjoy this recipe from my kitchen to yours!
I’ve made several recipes of homemade hot cocoa mix. Yours is by far the best. I was skeptical of the cornstarch but it added some body to the end result and no clumping. I added it to milk. Thank you. I’m using as Xmas gifts with homemade marshmallows and candy canes.
Do you use non-fat powdered milk or whole powdered milk?
Whole would be preferred but I can’t find it easily so I normally use the non-fat powdered milk. You’re free to use what you like or have on hand!
This cocoa comes out good but it is very sweet and I don’t think it works well for instant hot cocoa. The cornstarch end up sitting in the bottom of the cup.
I love this recipe; it’s so simple and delicious! My husband stays in hot chocolate mode from November through March, so it’s nice to have a huge batch of this always ready.
I was looking for a way to get away from the high fructose corn syrup and sucralose they are adding to my favorite brands. My kids love this! I am making a double batch next time.
So glad you liked it! I just made a batch this week too!