Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe

Hot Cocoa Mix is one of those things I didn’t think I needed to make from scratch until I actually tried it. And now? I make giant batches every December and give them away in jars because apparently I’ve become that person.

So here’s how this started—I was at Target last year buying those Swiss Miss packets (no shame, they’re fine) and saw the ingredient list. Corn syrup solids? Hydrogenated coconut oil? A bunch of stuff I couldn’t pronounce? And I thought… I bet I could make this better at home.

Spoiler: I can. And it’s stupidly easy.

The first batch I made was too sweet. Like, cavity-inducing sweet. My husband took one sip and made that face where he’s trying to be nice but also can’t hide his thoughts. “It’s… very sweet, babe.” Thanks, David. Very helpful.

Version 2.0 is what I’m sharing here, and it’s the one that made my neighbor Sarah ask for the recipe after I gave her a jar for Christmas. She texted me two days later: “I’ve made this three times already. What did you do to me?”

Why This Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe Actually Works :

Look, I’m gonna be honest—homemade hot cocoa mix recipe versions can be hit or miss. I’ve tried some that were grainy, some that didn’t dissolve properly, and one that tasted weirdly chemical-y (how? it was homemade! still confused about that one).

This recipe works because:

• The cocoa powder to sugar ratio is balanced (not too sweet, not too bitter)
• It dissolves smoothly in hot milk or water
• You can customize it (more on that later)
• It actually tastes like real chocolate, not chocolate-flavored sadness

And here’s the thing—this hot cocoa mix recipe no dry milk version exists because I hate powdered milk. Always have. The texture is weird and it tastes… off? So this version uses just cocoa, sugar, and salt. That’s it. You add the milk when you make the actual drink.

Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe Homemade :

Ingredients:

• 2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (I use Hershey’s or Ghirardelli)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt (yes, really—it brings out the chocolate flavor)
• Optional: 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (they melt into your drink and it’s magical)

That’s it. Three ingredients. Four if you count the chocolate chips, which I absolutely do because they make it SO much better.

Shopping note: Don’t cheap out on the cocoa powder. The quality matters. That dollar store cocoa I tried once tasted like sadness and regret. Spend the extra two bucks on decent stuff.

How to Make Hot Cocoa Mix DIY Style :

Step 1: Mix Everything

Put cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and salt in a big bowl. Whisk it together until it’s completely combined and there are no lumps.

And I mean REALLY whisk it. I thought I had mixed it enough once and there were clumps of cocoa powder at the bottom that didn’t mix in until cup #3. Not ideal when you’re giving jars as gifts.

If you’re adding mini chocolate chips, stir them in at the end.

Step 2: That’s Literally It

You’re done. I told you it was easy.

Store it in an airtight container or divide it into jars for gifting. I use mason jars because they look cute and I can tie a ribbon around them and suddenly I’m a crafty person.

Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar :

Okay so the hot cocoa mix in a jar christmas gift situation is WHERE IT’S AT. I made like 15 of these last year and gave them to teachers, neighbors, the mail carrier, my dentist… everyone got hot cocoa.

Here’s how I do it:

Supplies you need:

• Mason jars (I use quart-size or pint-size depending on how much I like the person—kidding, mostly)
• Cute labels or tags
• Ribbon or twine
• Optional: candy canes, mini marshmallows, or cookies to attach

The process:

1. Fill jar with hot cocoa mix (about 2-3 cups per quart jar)
2. If you’re fancy, layer it with marshmallows on top
3. Add a label with instructions (I’ll share those in a sec)
4. Tie with ribbon, maybe add a candy cane to the side
5. Feel like Martha Stewart for approximately 3 minutes

The hot cocoa mix in a jar recipe is literally just the same mix, but the presentation makes it feel special. And people LOVE getting these. My sister-in-law said it was her favorite gift last year and I spent like $2 on supplies. Win.

Instructions for the Jar Label :

This is what I write on the gift tags:

“Add 3 tablespoons mix to 1 cup hot milk (or water, but milk is better). Stir well. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows. Enjoy!”

Simple. Clear. To the point. I printed like 50 of these on my printer and cut them out while watching TV.

Hot Cocoa Mix Gift Ideas :

Some variations I’ve done for the hot cocoa mix gift theme:

The Peppermint Version:
Add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract to the mix OR crush up candy canes and add those. The crushed candy cane method is messier but looks prettier in jars.

The Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate:
Add 1 tablespoon cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper to the base recipe. This one is for adventurous people only. My mom hated it. My husband loved it. Very divisive.

The White Chocolate Version:
Skip the cocoa powder entirely (I know, I know) and use 3 cups white chocolate chips ground in a food processor + 1 cup powdered sugar. It’s different but really good.

The Mocha Version:
Add 1/2 cup instant espresso powder to the base recipe. For coffee lovers. Which is me. I make this for myself constantly.

Hot Cocoa Mix Cookies Recipe :

So this is random but I accidentally discovered you can use this mix to make cookies. I was making chocolate cookies one night and realized I was out of cocoa powder but had a jar of this mix sitting on the counter.

Used 1 cup of the hot cocoa mix in place of cocoa powder in my usual cookie recipe (just reduced the sugar since the mix already has sugar). They turned out AMAZING. Soft, chocolatey, with a hint of salt that made them taste sophisticated.

The hot cocoa mix cookies recipe isn’t an exact science but basically: use the mix anywhere you’d use cocoa powder + sugar, adjust other ingredients accordingly, hope for the best. That’s my cooking motto in general honestly.

Hot Cocoa Mixes: How to Customize

The base recipe is great but here are additions I’ve tried:

Things that work:

• Mini marshmallows stirred into the mix
• Vanilla powder (1 tablespoon)
• Cinnamon (1-2 teaspoons)
• A tiny bit of espresso powder for depth
• Crushed peppermint candies

Things that didn’t work:

• Full-size marshmallows (they don’t fit in jars nicely and look weird)
• Too much salt (made it taste like ocean water—gross)
• Nutella (I tried to make Nutella hot cocoa mix and it just… seized up and got weird)

Storage and Shelf Life :

This mix lasts for MONTHS in an airtight container. Like, 6+ months easily. The cocoa powder and powdered sugar are both stable ingredients.

Just keep it dry. If moisture gets in, it’ll clump up and be annoying to use. I learned this after leaving a jar on the counter next to the stove where steam from pasta water made it all lumpy. Rookie mistake.

I usually make a huge batch in early December and it lasts through February at my house. Would last longer if my daughter didn’t drink it every single day after school.

Making the Actual Hot Cocoa :

To make one cup of hot cocoa using this mix:

1. Heat 1 cup of milk (dairy or non-dairy, both work) until steaming but not boiling
2. Add 3 tablespoons of the mix
3. Whisk or stir really well until dissolved
4. Top with whatever makes you happy (marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed cookies, a shot of peppermint schnapps if you’re an adult having a day)

I use milk because it’s creamier and more indulgent. Water works too but it’s… sadder? Less rich. My husband uses water sometimes when he’s being “health conscious” and I judge him silently.

Why I Keep Making This Instead of Buying Packets :

Cost-wise, this is WAY cheaper than buying those fancy hot cocoa packets. A batch costs maybe $5-6 and makes like 20+ cups of hot cocoa. Those Williams-Sonoma packets are like $2 per serving.

Plus I know exactly what’s in it. No weird preservatives or artificial flavors. Just cocoa, sugar, and salt. Well, and chocolate chips if I’m feeling fancy.

And honestly? It tastes better. Not even being biased here. The chocolate flavor is richer and more real. My daughter’s friend came over and asked if we “ordered fancy hot chocolate from a coffee shop.” Nope, just mom’s jar of mix from the pantry.

Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe Gift Mason Jars: Final Tips

If you’re making these for gifts:

• Start early. Don’t try to make 20 jars on December 23rd like I did last year. Learn from my chaos.
• Buy jars in bulk online—they’re cheaper than craft stores
• Print labels at home or just use tags with twine (the handwritten look is charming anyway)
• Make extra for yourself because you’ll want to keep some
• Don’t feel bad about giving “simple” gifts. People genuinely love homemade food gifts.

Actually, you know what? The hot cocoa mix gift is one of those rare things that feels fancy but is actually super easy. It’s like… minimal effort, maximum impact. My kind of project.

Anyway, if you make this, tag me or let me know! I’m always curious if people add their own twists. Also if you make the cookies with the mix, PLEASE tell me because I want to know I’m not the only one doing weird experimental baking at 10pm.

Now I want hot cocoa. Obviously. ☕🍫