Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

This big batch of homemade hot cocoa mix lets you be prepared to whip up a warm mug of decadent hot cocoa whenever the craving calls. Simply stir together cocoa powder, confectioners’ sugar, milk powder and a touch of salt, then seal it in a jar. Now you can enjoy quality hot cocoa in an instant during your next snow day or Christmas movie marathon.

Once you’ve prepared a cup, treat it as you would any hot cocoa. Dollop the drink with whipped cream, or make a mini marshmallow mountain. Drizzle chocolate syrup on top, or scatter on crushed candy canes. For those 21 and older, spike it with a shot of Kahlua or Irish cream. ‘Tis the season!

Ingredients for Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

• Nonfat dry milk powder: If you’ve never worked with dry milk powder, it’s essentially milk that has been evaporated to dryness. You can usually find it in the baking aisle of most grocery stores, or you can buy it online. Homemade hot cocoa mix with powdered milk will yield a creamier, tastier beverage.
• Confectioners’ sugar: Also known as powdered sugar, confectioners’ sugar has a consistency that is perfect for this homemade hot cocoa mix recipe. It will intersperse with the milk powder and cocoa powder better than heavy granulated sugar, which could fall to the bottom of the mix over time.
• Baking cocoa: Since baking cocoa is such a star and standout ingredient in this recipe, you’ll want to buy the best cocoa powder for a high-quality flavor. Look for a deeply hued cocoa—it will have the richest, most complex taste.
• Salt: We’ve included just enough salt to make the natural flavors from the baking cocoa pop.

Directions

Step 1: Sift the powders

Using a clean and dry fine mesh sieve, sift the nonfat dry milk powder, confectioners’ sugar and cocoa powder together into an airtight container. Stir in the salt.

Editor’s Tip: It may be tempting to skip sifting, but it helps remove any clumps (which I find pretty prevalent in these powders) and allows the powders to intersperse seamlessly.

Step 2: Seal and store

Seal the top on the airtight container and store it in a cool, dry place, like a pantry or a cabinet.

Step 3: Prepare hot cocoa

To prepare a mug of delicious hot cocoa, dissolve 5 tablespoons mix into 1 cup boiling water. Stir them together very well to combine.

Ellie Crowley for Taste of Home

Recipe Variations

Before adding any of these inclusions to your entire hot cocoa mix homemade batch, test each one in a single prepared mug of hot cocoa. That way, you can see if you like it and you’ll know how much to add to your mix.

• Add some spice: For a Mexican hot chocolate riff, add cinnamon and a touch of chili or cayenne powder.
• Caffeinate it: Who else loves a morning mocha? Stir in instant coffee granules and savor the delicious start to your day.
• Make it even more chocolaty: Deepen the luxurious chocolate flavor and add some mini chocolate chips to the mix. The chips will melt right into the boiling water when you prepare a cup.

How to Store Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Store the homemade hot cocoa mix in a glass jar with a tight seal, like a Mason jar. Store the jar in a cool, dry place away from any humidity.

How long does this homemade hot cocoa mix last?

When stored properly, this homemade hot cocoa mix recipe should last up to a year. It will lose some of its cocoa potency over time, though. Whenever I store a homemade ingredient in my pantry, I like to write the date it was prepared on a piece of tape, then stick the tape onto the jar. This helps me keep track of its freshness.

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Tips

Ellie Crowley for Taste of Home

How many cups of hot cocoa does this mix make?

This homemade hot cocoa mix with powdered milk yields 16 servings of hot cocoa. The recipe equates to 5 cups of hot cocoa mix, and each prepared mug of hot cocoa uses 5 tablespoons of mix.

Can I add milk instead of water to prepare the hot cocoa mix?

Absolutely! Instead of 1 cup boiling water, dissolve 5 tablespoons homemade hot cocoa mix into 1 cup very hot whole milk, 2% milk, skim milk or one of your favorite nondairy milk alternatives.

What is the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate?

The difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate is the type of chocolate used to make it. Hot cocoa uses cocoa powder, whereas hot chocolate will melt real chocolate into the base.