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    Home » Recent Posts » Sweet Treats

    Hot Cocoa Mix for Rich, Creamy Hot Chocolate in Minutes

    Published: Feb 18, 2021 · Updated: Aug 31, 2022 by Katy McAvoy

    I love when you share my recipes!

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    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe
    Hot Cocoa Mix

    Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I make a small commission.


    Keep this easy, four ingredient hot cocoa mix 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 packet of Swiss Miss in water, but the thick, rich hot chocolate you get with real sugar and 100% cocoa powder. The kind that tastes a little decadent and a lot like a treat. This recipe makes exactly that - just add hot milk.

    Hot Chocolate Mix

    The best hot chocolate mixes are homemade with pantry ingredients, including 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! 

    True chocolate lovers know that the best hot cocoa mix is a combination of cocoa powder and real sugars. There’s no substitute for the strong chocolate flavor that comes from real chocolate.

    Want more of a 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! 

    Ingredients

    Ingredients for hot cocoa mix.
    • Brown sugar
    • White sugar
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder
    • Vanilla extract

    How to Make Hot Cocoa Mix

    In a small dish, combine white sugar and vanilla. 

    Mix with a fork until vanilla is evenly incorporated into the sugar. The mixture will resemble sand. 

    Vanilla and sugar mixed together

    In a medium bowl, add vanilla/sugar mixture, brown sugar, and cocoa.

    All ingredients for hot chocolate mix in one bowl.

    Whisk until everything is well combined and no lumps remain. 

    Hot Chocolate Mix whisked together

    Store covered in a cool, dry place until ready to use. Hot Cocoa Mix will keep for 6-9 months.

    To Make Hot Chocolate

    Whisk 2 tablespoon of hot cocoa mix into 8 oz hot milk until the sugars are dissolved.

    1 tablespoon of hot cocoa mix

    Top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream and enjoy! 

    Hot Chocolate

    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 hot 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.

    Make it a 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 mason jar, and add a fun bow. Then write "Add 2 tablespoon 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)!

    A mug of hot chocolate topped with lots of mini marshmallows.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What kind of milk should I use?

    I make my hot chocolate with dairy milk, but any kind of milk can be used with this mix, including soy milk, oat milk, almond 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. 

    Can I use this hot cocoa mix with hot water?

    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.

    How long does hot cocoa mix keep?

    This mix will keep for 6-9 months in a sealed container stored in a cool, dark place (like your panty or a cupboard).

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    Print the Recipe

    Print

    Hot Cocoa Mix

    Hot Chocolate Mix
    Print Recipe
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    Keep this easy, four ingredient hot cocoa mix 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. 

    • Author: Katy McAvoy
    • Prep Time: 5 min
    • Cook Time: 0 min
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
    • Category: Dessert
    • Method: Mixing
    • Cuisine: American

    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 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. 

    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. 

    Store covered in a cool, dry place until ready to use. 

    To Make Hot Chocolate: Whisk 2 tablespoon of hot cocoa mix into 8 oz hot milk until the sugars are dissolved. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream and enjoy! 

    Equipment

    Image of Pint Mason Jar

    Pint Mason Jar

    Buy Now →
    Image of Medium Bowl

    Medium Bowl

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    Keywords: hot cocoa mix, hot chocolate, marshmallows, winter drinks, diy gifts, milk, non dairy, hot cocoa

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag me @katymcavoy on Instagram! I can’t wait to see what you made!

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    I love when you share my recipes!

    • 148

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com. Since 2017, she's been crafting easy-to-make cocktails and delicious meals, along with sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

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    Katy McAvoy

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that a couple hours of meal prep pays off for days. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

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