Make your own homemade hot cocoa mix with 6 simple ingredients and keep it on hand for months! It’s perfect for gift-giving or for enjoying a delicious cup of hot cocoa anytime you want!

Hot cocoa mix in a small glass jar with a wooden spoon.

Making a homemade mix to always keep on hand is so easy to do with just a few simple ingredients. It lasts for months when stored in a canister or jar, and is a cost-effective way to enjoy hot chocolate throughout the season. Forget buying those little packages of hot cocoa from the store and control what you put in yours!

It’s more economical to make your own, too. This mix makes 48 servings. That’s a lot of little envelopes!

About this hot cocoa mix

A hot cup of cocoa embodies everything warm and cozy this time of year whether it’s wool socks and crackling fires, or coming in from the cold after a day spent playing in the snow. There is nothing better than warming up with a delicious and rich cup of hot cocoa! Try gingerbread hot chocolate or pumpkin spice hot chocolate for something extra festive! Or for a decadent sip, try salted caramel hot chocolate or spiked hot chocolate.

This recipe is made with powdered milk, cocoa powder, white chocolate and milk chocolate bars, sugar, and coffee creamer but it’s flexible enough that you can decide how you make yours.

Let the kids in on this fun easy recipe and have your whole family loving hot cocoa as well. Grab a few marshmallows and pretzels and make an adorable marshmallow snowman topper to go along with it. It makes for great weekend fun! It’s also a great addition to a hot cocoa charcuterie board!

Pair this hot cocoa with some hot cocoa pancakes for a truly festive winter breakfast!

Overhead view of hot chocolate in a white mug.

What you need

  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – This is the type of cocoa used for baking. Ghirardelli is a great brand but use any cocoa powder you like.
  • Confectioner’s Sugar – Also known as powdered sugar. This type of sugar is perfect because it dissolves quickly and is nice and smooth.
  • White Chocolate Bar – Make sure it is finely chopped so it melts easily. The white chocolate adds a delicious sweet flavor. If you love white chocolate, try our white chocolate pancakes.
  • Milk Chocolate Bar – When melted, it gives your hot cocoa chocolatey richness.
  • Powdered Coffee Creamer & Powdered Milk – Both ingredients lighten up the deep chocolate flavor by making the cocoa so nice and creamy. If you buy a flavored version of coffee creamer, it’ll add another flavor to your hot chocolate.

TIP: To get the chocolate bars finely chopped, use a grater. A food processor works too, just make sure you gently pulse it though; if you process it too long, the heat will melt it.

Overhead view of ingredients needed for recipe.

How to make it

Add powdered milk, confectioner’s sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, white chocolate, milk chocolate, and powdered coffee creamer to a large mixing bowl.

Ingredients in a bowl, not yet mixed.

Mix until combined.

Hot cocoa mix in a mixing bowl.

Store hot cocoa mix in a tightly sealed container.

Cocoa Mix in a jar.

When ready to make a cup of hot cocoa, add 2 tablespoons of mix into a hot cup of milk.

Stir mix into the hot milk until blended. Serve and enjoy.

Cocoa mix in a mug.

FAQs

Is hot cocoa mix the same as hot chocolate mix?

Would you believe it’s not? Hot cocoa is what you would call a combination of powdered cocoa, sugar, milk, etc. Hot chocolate is meant to consist of pure chocolate melted with sugar, milk, etc. The difference is so slight that people tend to use the terms loosely. This recipe is a combination of both, so call it whatever you want!

Does hot chocolate have a lot of sugar?

The kind you buy in the store will usually contain a lot of sugar. The great thing about making your own means you can adjust the recipe and control how much sugar you want to add. This recipe uses white chocolate and milk chocolate which already has sugar in it. If you want to add a little less confectioner’s sugar to account for that, you can.

What is the best kind of cocoa powder for hot chocolate?

You can get a really good quality cocoa powder if you want. It may depend on what you’re using it for, whether to serve at a holiday party or to give as a gift. If you’re going that route, check out your local boutique chocolate shops or health food stores. It also depends on whether you’re looking for organic, fair trade, etc. There are no rules for making your own hot cocoa mix; it depends on what your tastes are and what your budget is. In a nutshell, use what you like!

How to make this mix your own

  • For a deeper chocolate flavor, replace the white chocolate with more milk chocolate or even dark chocolate.
  • Add crushed candy cane to the mix for a peppermint hot cocoa mix.
  • Play around with flavored coffee creamers. Cinnamon, vanilla, hazelnut are all delicious!
  • Add a dash of cayenne powder into the mix for a spicy surprise.
  • Toss a few mini marshmallows into the mix. That way, they’re already there.
  • Top with homemade whipped cream and chocolate syrup! Or, for a caramel twist, try caramel syrup.

Storage Suggestions

This hot cocoa mix will remain fresh for up to 3 months when stored properly in an airtight container or mason jar. No need to refrigerate.

Hot cocoa mix in small glass jar with a little wooden spoon.

Get the Recipe: Hot Cocoa Mix

Make your own homemade hot cocoa mix with 6 simple ingredients and keep it on hand for months! It’s perfect for gift-giving or for enjoying a delicious cup of hot cocoa anytime you want!
5 from 2 rating

Ingredients

  • 2 cups powdered milk
  • 2 cups confectioner's sugar (powdered sugar)
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Ghirardelli is great!)
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped white chocolate bar
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped milk chocolate bar
  • 1/4 cup powdered coffee creamer

Instructions

  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together powdered milk, confectioner's sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, white chocolate, milk chocolate, and powdered coffee creamer.
  • Store hot cocoa mix in a tightly sealed container.
  • When ready to make a cup of hot cocoa, add 2 tablespoons of mix into a hot cup of milk.
  • Stir mix into the hot milk until blended together. Serve and enjoy.

Notes

  • Nutrition information is only for dry mix and does not include milk used to make cocoa.
  • Can easily halve recipe if desired.
  • To make a cup of hot cocoa- add 1 cup of hot milk to a mug, add in 2 large tablespoons of hot cocoa mix, and stir until dissolved.
  • Storage: Store in an air tight container or a mason jar for up to 3 months.
Serving: 2tablespoons, Calories: 49kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 3g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 6mg, Sodium: 22mg, Potassium: 109mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 55IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 55mg, Iron: 1mg