Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe (Use with any Milk)
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Keep this easy, four ingredient hot cocoa mix recipe in your pantry, and you’ll be sipping a warm mug of rich hot chocolate within minutes of coming in from a chilly, snowy day.
Is there any better than a hot, decadent drink on a cold winter day? There’s a good six months in Michigan – especially the winter months – when I crave hot chocolate.
And not just milk with some chocolate syrup in it or a store-bought packet mixed with water, but the thick, rich hot chocolate you get with real sugar and 100% cocoa powder. The kind that tastes a little bit decadent and a lot like a treat. This recipe makes exactly that – a treat, just add hot milk.
The best hot chocolate mixes are homemade with pantry ingredients, including real chocolate. (There’s no substitute for the strong chocolate flavor that comes from real chocolate.) They’ll beat out the single-serve packet hot chocolate powder full of artificial flavor you get at the grocery stores any day!
This hot cocoa mix stirs deliciously into ANY kind of milk (including soy milk, oat milk, and almond milk). If you’re using dairy milk, whole milk will give you a richer cup of hot chocolate, but nonfat milk works well too.
Because this recipe is made without dairy-based powdered milk, it’s perfect for your non-dairy/dairy free friends. It’s also naturally gluten-free!
Looking for something a little different? Try my peppermint hot cocoa mix! It’s perfect for the holidays and beyond!
Ingredients
- Brown sugar – Add sweetness and a depth of flavor to the hot cocoa mix.
- White sugar – Your basic sweetness for this mix.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – Choose your favorite, just make sure it’s unsweetened. Dark cocoa powders will get a richer, deeper chocolate flavor.
- Vanilla extract – Use 100% vanilla extract. Nothing artificial.
Want More Dark Chocolate Flavor? Increase the amount of cocoa powder in this recipe by 1-2 teaspoons. You can also decrease how much sugar is in the recipe to make it taste less milk chocolate and more dark chocolate. Making your own hot chocolate mix lets you adjust the recipe to your personal preferences and let your taste buds guide you!
How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
In a medium dish, combine white sugar and vanilla.
Mix until vanilla is evenly incorporated into the sugar.
Add brown sugar and cocoa to the vanilla/sugar mixture.
Whisk until everything is well combined and no lumps remain.
Store in a glass, covered container in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
Hot Cocoa Mix will keep in the pantry in an airtight container for 6-9 months.
To Make Homemade Hot Chocolate
Whisk 2 tablespoons of hot cocoa mix into 8 ounces of your favorite hot milk until the sugars are dissolved.
Top with marshmallows or whipped cream and enjoy!
Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small dish, combine white sugar and vanilla.¼ cup white sugar, 2 tsp vanilla extract
- Mix with a fork until vanilla is evenly incorporated into the sugar. The mixture will resemble sand.
- In a medium bowl, add vanilla/sugar mixture, brown sugar, and cocoa. Whisk until everything is well combined and no lumps remain.½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Store covered in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
To Make Hot Chocolate:
- Whisk 2 Tbsp of hot cocoa mix into 8 oz hot milk until the sugars are dissolved. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream and enjoy!
Equipment
Frequently Asked Questions
I make my hot chocolate with dairy milk or almond milk, but any kind of milk can be used with this mix, including soy milk, oat milk, or rice milk. If you’re going to be using a milk that’s already been sweetened, reduce the brown sugar in the hot cocoa mix to ⅓ cup.
No. You MUST use some kind of milk when making hot chocolate with this mix because there is no powdered milk or dry milk powder in it. Do not use this hot cocoa mix with just hot water. It will not taste good.
This mix will keep for 6-9 months in a sealed container stored in a cool, dark place (like your panty or a cupboard).
Recipe Tips
- Make sure your milk is hot enough to dissolve the sugars. The milk doesn’t have to be scalding, but you do need to make sure the hot milk you’re using is warm enough to melt and dissolve the sugars in the hot cocoa mix.
- This mix makes a great, easy gift! Package the cocoa mix in a mason jar, with a pretty ribbon, and attach a note telling the recipient to stir this hot chocolate mix into their favorite hot milk.
- Change it up with simple syrups! Stir in homemade raspberry syrup, peppermint syrup, vanilla syrup, or cinnamon syrup to give your hot cocoa a unique twist!
Make a DIY Hot Chocolate Gift
This hot chocolate recipe makes the quickest, easiest DIY gift ever! You probably have all of the ingredients for this hot cocoa mix in your pantry right now.
Just mix up a batch, pour it into a pint mason jar, and add a fun bow or ribbon. Then write “Add 2 tablespoons to 1 cup hot milk” on a tag and attach it to a jar. You now have a delicious hostess gift (or teacher appreciation present or colleague thank you gift)!
Or download my Hot Cocoa Gift Tag Canva template. (Requires a free Canva account to use.)
Ways to Package Your Hot Cocoa Mix
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This is really good and so easy to have on hand. I will keep a jar in the cupboard all winter.
Yay! It’ll keep all winter when stored in the pantry.