Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Published: December 28, 2024 • Modified: July 21, 2025 1 Comment »

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Ditch store-bought and make this homemade hot cocoa mix instead. It’s quick, easy, and made with just a handful of ingredients. When ready, add hot milk or water for the most delicious hot chocolate!

Here’s Why You’ll Love It
Grab These Ingredients
Try These Other Variations
How To Make Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
FAQ
More Drinks To Try

It’s that time of year where a steaming cup of hot cocoa is a comforting ritual– whether it’s an after dinner treat, warming up from a day of fun in the snow, or curling up on the couch with a good book or movie. If you’re ready to take your hot cocoa experience to the next level, skip the store-bough mix and make this hot cocoa mix.

Here’s Why You’ll Love It

Flavorful and delicious, lightyears better than store-bought!
QUICK– it comes together in just 5 minutes
Much cheaper than store-bought saving you money
You have complete control over the ingredients
Makes a wonderful gift for friends and family

Grab These Ingredients

Cocoa Powder: There’s no hot cocoa without this! You can use either unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch-processed cocoa powder. The better quality cocoa powder, the richer the hot cocoa will be.
Sugar: I recommend using powdered sugar as it dissolves easily, though you can use granulated sugar in a pinch. You may have to stir a bit more if using granulated sugar for it to dissolve.
Cornstarch: Seems like an odd ingredient for this, but it’s an important one! Adding cornstarch helps give it a smooth, creamy texture and acts as a thickener preventing the cocoa powder from settling to the bottom. It’s a neutral flavor that helps enhance the richness of the hot cocoa.
Chocolate Chips: Adding chocolate chips helps create a thicker, more enhanced hot cocoa. I recommend using mini chocolate chips as they dissolve easily when the hot milk or water is added.
Marshmallows: Grab those homemade marshmallows or store-bought– mini work best if you’re making individual jars.
Powdered Milk: If you’re not familiar with powdered milk, it’s evaporated milk that has a longer shelf life. It’s also called milk powder, dry milk, or dried milk. You can also use unflavored non-dairy creamer powder or powdered coconut milk.
Salt: Enhances the chocolate flavor and balances out the sweetness.

Try These Other Variations

While this recipe is delicious, it’s a base hot cocoa mix. If you want other flavors, you can add them to your mix (just need to be dry) or to each mug as you make it! Here are some favorites:

Peppermint: Add 2-3 Tablespoons of finely ground candy canes.
Mocha: Replace 2-4 Tablespoons of cocoa powder with instant coffee.
Mexican: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and a teaspoon of cinnamon.

How To Make Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

For a large batch: Add the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, powdered milk, cornstarch, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together to combine. Then, gently stir in the chocolate chips and marshmallows. (This makes 3 cups of hot cocoa mix powder, which is about 12 cups of hot cocoa.)
For individual batch (or gifts): Grab 2 airtight containers, like a mason jar, and add 1/4 cup cocoa powder to each. Then, add 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar, 3/4 powdered milk, 2 Tablespoons cornstarch, and a pinch of salt to each jar. Then, top each off with 1/4 cup chocolate chips and 1/4 cup marshmallows. (This makes 1 1/2 cups of hot cocoa mix powder in each jar, which is about 6 cups of hot cocoa. Feel free to make smaller batches if gifting.)

hot cocoa mix in a jar topped with marshmallows.

FAQ

Can you substitute hot cocoa mix for cocoa powder?

No, you can’t– they are not the same. Hot cocoa mix includes cocoa powder but it also includes other ingredients like sugar, powdered milk, cornstarch, and salt. For some recipes it can also have chocolate chips and marshmallows too.

Can hot cocoa mix go bad?

Yes, most hot cocoa mixes are good for up to 1 year depending on the ingredients used.

What’s the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa mix?

Hot cocoa mix is usually made with cocoa powder and powdered milk (with a few other ingredients) which you then add hot water or milk. Hot chocolate is much richer and made with chopped chocolate that is melted with milk or heavy cream.

More Drinks To Try

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