Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Make a big batch of homemade hot chocolate mix to have on hand in the pantry this winter! Just add hot water or milk for a creamy cup of hot cocoa. It’s also perfect for gifting!

Take your homemade hot chocolate recipe up a notch with fluffy homemade marshmallows, too.

Why You’ll Love This Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Living in the Northeast, hot cocoa is one of my favorite ways to warm up in the wintertime. If you’re ready to skip store-bought hot chocolate this season, try this easy homemade version instead! This homemade hot chocolate mix is:

• Easy. Making a batch of homemade hot cocoa mix is quick and easy with the help of your blender. All it takes is 3 simple ingredients!
• Creamy. Add hot milk or water, and this hot chocolate is rich, creamy, and chocolatey, but not too sweet. There’s always an opportunity to sweeten it up with marshmallows!
• Perfect for gifting. Homemade hot chocolate mix makes an easy gift throughout the winter months and holiday season. Spread the warmth!

What Is Hot Chocolate Mix Made Of?

You need only 3 ingredients to make the best homemade hot chocolate mix. Below are some notes, with the full recipe amounts and details available in the recipe card after the post.

• Sugar – I use the Turbinado sugar from Sugar in the Raw. Turbinado sugar is less refined than white sugar with a more subtle sweetness. Light or regular brown sugar is a good substitute if needed.
• Salt – Including salt in a hot cocoa mix might sound a bit odd, but trust me! Salt is great for enhancing the flavor.
• Cocoa Powder – I recommend unsweetened cocoa powder. You can use natural or Dutch-processed cocoa. The better quality cocoa powder you use, the better the flavor will be. 

How to Make Hot Chocolate Mix

To make hot chocolate mix, you’ll need a blender or food processor, plus an airtight jar for storage. 

• Blitz the sugar. Add your turbinado sugar and salt to a blender, and pulse until you reach a fine powder.
• Add the cocoa. Next, add your cocoa powder and blend again. Transfer the finished hot chocolate mix to a mason jar (or another airtight container). It’s ready to use!
• Make hot chocolate. For a creamy cup of homemade hot chocolate, stir 1 heaping tablespoon of hot chocolate mix into a mug of hot milk or water.

Tips for Success 

Homemade hot chocolate is about as foolproof as it gets! You’ll never go back to store-bought again. Here are some quick tips to remember:

• Blend the ingredients well. Pulsing the sugar to a fine consistency, similar to the consistency of the cocoa powder, is the goal. This way, the mix dissolves more easily when it’s combined with warm milk or hot water.
• If you don’t have a blender or food processor, I recommend swapping the turbinado sugar in this recipe for powdered sugar (a.k.a. confectioner’s sugar) instead. Simply whisk the mix together by hand. Be sure to sift the sugar and other ingredients before you combine them, to break up any lumps.
• Give it as a gift. I love gifting this hot chocolate mix in lidded jars along with a small whisk and a bag of mini marshmallows. It makes a nice gift for teachers, friends, and family. So cute!

Variation Ideas

If you love hot chocolate as much as we do in our house, you’re going to love finding new ways to adapt this homemade mix for every occasion. Here are some easy hot chocolate variations to try:

• Dehydrated marshmallows. Add dehydrated mini marshmallows to the dry mix, just like the kind you’d find in store-bought hot chocolate mix!
• Cinnamon. Add 3 teaspoons of cinnamon to the dry cocoa mix. Also, try my homemade pumpkin spice hot chocolate!
• Mexican hot chocolate. To make a Mexican hot chocolate mix, add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch or two of cayenne pepper along with the cocoa powder.
• Boozy. Add a splash of Bailey’s Irish Cream, whiskey, or brandy to your hot chocolate for a boozy treat.
• Whipped cream. In place of marshmallows, garnish mugs of hot chocolate with a swirl of whipped cream.
• Mocha. Stir a tablespoon of hot chocolate mix into your morning coffee for a delicious homemade mocha.
• Peppermint. Stir your hot drink with a peppermint stick for a holiday twist!
• Unicorn. Try my unicorn hot chocolate recipe for a fun, colorful variation.

How to Store Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

To keep this homemade hot chocolate mix fresh, make sure to store it in an airtight, lidded jar or container. Keep it in a cool and dry location, like the pantry. Properly stored, this mix will keep for up to 6 months.

More Hot Chocolate Recipes

• Hot Chocolate Cookies
• Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake
• Hot Chocolate Fudge
• Hot Chocolate Rice Krispie Treats

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