Easy Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix (2024)

Save money by making your own homemade hot cocoa mix! It’s just as delicious, if not better than any store-bought cocoa mix, and it’s simple to make in bulk.

At my house, a steaming mug of hot cocoa with marshmallows is a common after-dinner treat. It’s especially lovely when I’m cozied up on the couch watching TV or reading a book.

Hot Chocolate Bombs are fun, and I love making hot chocolate in the slow cooker for parties, but for everyday sipping I always have a batch of this homemade hot cocoa mix in the pantry, ready to mix up with hot water.

Homemade hot cocoa really can’t get any easier!

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

The biggest benefit to making your own hot cocoa mix is the cost savings. When you buy packets of mix from the store, you could be paying up to a dollar per serving, which is crazy when you see how much cocoa powder, sugar, and powdered milk actually cost.

Aside from the financial bit, you’ll also love that you have complete control over all of the ingredients added to the mix. This recipe doesn’t have any unnecessary preservatives or chemicals, just common, easy-to-find ingredients.

You can even make adjustments to the recipe to make this homemade cocoa mix perfect for you and your family. I’ll give you some tips on that in a bit!

Ingredients In Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Here is everything you need to make this DIY hot chocolate drink mix powder:

• Cocoa Powder: Of course, you can’t make hot cocoa without cocoa powder! Buy good quality unsweetened cocoa powder. The better your cocoa powder, the richer your hot chocolate will be.
• Powdered Milk: To make a cocoa mix that becomes nice and creamy by just adding water, powdered milk is the key ingredient. Look for this near the evaporated milk in the grocery store.
• Powdered Sugar: I like using powdered sugar rather than granulated sugar because it dissolves so quickly.
• Corn Starch: This ingredient serves two important purposes. First, cornstarch prevents caking, so your mix won’t get clumpy in storage. Second, the cornstarch will help to thicken the hot cocoa giving it a rich and silky texture.
• Salt: Salt enhances the flavor of chocolate, and a little bit goes a long way here.

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

How To Make Hot Cocoa Mix

1. Mix the Ingredients! It’s really that simple. Add the cocoa powder, powdered milk, sugar, salt, and cornstarch to a bowl. Use a whisk to combine the ingredients very well.
2. Adjust if Needed: Taste the hot cocoa mix and make sure that you like the way it tastes. Add more sugar, cocoa, or salt if you think it needs it.

To Make Hot Cocoa With Homemade Mix

1. Add the Mix to a Mug: You can use 3 or 4 tablespoons of the homemade mix, depending on how sweet you like your hot cocoa.
2. Add Boiling Water: Pour about 1 cup of hot water over the powdered mix in the mug. Stir well until your cocoa is smooth and without any lumps. Serve with whipped cream or marshmallows if you like!

Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe Tips

• You might need to sift. If any of your ingredients seem clumpy, it will be helpful to sift them before mixing to get a very smooth, well-mixed final product.
• Substitute for powdered milk. If you can’t find powdered milk, or if you want to make this recipe dairy-free, you can use unflavored non-dairy creamer powder in place of the milk. I’ve also seen this made with powdered coconut milk.
• Substitute for powdered sugar. Regular granulated sugar will work in this recipe too! You just need to stir the hot cocoa a bit longer to get it to fully dissolve. I haven’t tested it, but you should be able to use any 1:1 sugar-free sweetener in this recipe as well. If you like, mix the ingredients in your food processor to further break down the sugar granules.
• Cornstarch is technically optional. The cocoa will taste just fine without it, but with it, your hot chocolate will have a divine thick, rich, and creamy texture.
• Make hot cocoa gifts! This recipe makes enough to fill up 2 medium jars (8 servings each) or 4 smaller ones. Wrap the jars with holiday ribbons, add a cute tag, and you have super simple and inexpensive gifts!

Storing Tips

Once mixed, keep your homemade hot cocoa mix in a well-sealed, airtight container.

In the pantry, hot cocoa mix can last up to 6 months.

For longer storage, keep it in the freezer! You may find that it clumps up a bit stored this way, but you should be able to whisk it back to smooth after it’s thawed.

Homemade Hot Cocoa Variations

This recipe makes a tasty, but basic, hot cocoa mix. You might want to get a bit fancier, so here are some fun ideas:

• Peppermint Hot Cocoa: Add a few tablespoons of finely ground candy canes to the mix.
• Mocha: Replace some of the cocoa with instant coffee to get a creamy cafe mocha fix.
• Mexican Hot Cocoa: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper and a teaspoon of cinnamon.

You can always add flavorings and mix-ins to your mug too, rather than adding them to the entire batch. A few drops of vanilla extract, some shaved dark chocolate, or a candy cane stirrer can all make a cup of hot cocoa extra special.

Desserts that Go Perfectly With Hot Cocoa

Try some of these festive sweet treats that are made to be enjoyed when it’s cold outside!

• Classic Italian Butter Cookies
• Eggnog Bread
• Croissant Bread Pudding
• Gingerbread Cake
• Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls

Use this quick and easy recipe to make a big batch of your own Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix very soon! You’ll love everything about it, from the flavor to the grocery bill savings. Pin this recipe, or share it with your friends who love a good DIY recipe.

Remember, hot cocoa mix makes amazing Christmas gifts too!