The Best Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe - 5 ingredients
This hot cocoa mix is a cherished bedtime treat in our home, especially as the cool, crisp air of fall wraps around the farm. There's something comforting about a warm mug in hand as the evening winds down. Bonus points if you drizzle this Homemade Caramel Sauce on top, or add in this from scratch chocolate drizzle recipe for extra richness.
Over time, I've perfected the easiest recipe, one that fits perfectly into our kitchen. We used to rely on store-bought mixes like Swiss Miss, but after taking a closer look at the ingredients, I realized it wasn't the best fit for our whole-foods-focused home.
A Quick Look at This Easy Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe
⏱️ Prep Time: 5 minutes
? Flavor: Rich chocolate with a smooth, creamy finish
? Texture: Silky mix that dissolves beautifully in hot milk or water
? Batch Size: Makes a large jar-perfect for winter sipping or gifting
✨ Skill Level: Simple pantry-staple recipe anyone can make
?? Best Part: Only 5 ingredients and no powdered milk needed
❄️ Make-Ahead Friendly: Stays fresh up to 6 months in an airtight container
☕ Serving Ratio: 2 tablespoons mix per 8 oz cup
While there are healthier options on the market, they often come with a hefty price tag. Then it hit me, hot cocoa is really just sugar and cocoa at its core. How hard could it be to make my own mix? Now it's a nightly ritual: the kids cozy up with a warm cup after dinner, often with a classic chocolate chunk biscotti to dip in hot chocolate on the side.
☕️ Spoiler, it's not complicated to make at all. It's the perfect addition to those hot cocoa bars during the holiday season, or something to sip while working on a cozy craft like this dried orange garland.
Ingredient You'll Need
You likely already have everything on hand, but here's a closer look at what you'll need for the best homemade hot cocoa mix:
- Powdered sugar - Helps the mix dissolve smoothly and adds light sweetness.
- Granulated sugar - Balances the cocoa with extra richness. Adjust to taste.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder - Use natural or Dutch-process; (This is my go-to favorite organic cocoa powder) for its deep chocolate flavor.
- Cornstarch - Just a touch makes the finished drink velvety smooth.
- Salt - A pinch brings out the chocolate flavor.
- Optional: Vanilla powder - Adds a soft, round finish to each cup. I use Madagascar Vanilla powder and love the subtle flavor it adds.
If you want to make your own marshmallows, I have a simple marshmallow recipe to try. And if you want something else made with rich chocolate, you've got to try your hand at this Simple French Silk Pie.
? Tip: Want to turn it into a milk-based version? You can add 1 cup of powdered milk to the mix. It's easy to adapt for your pantry.
Why This is the Best Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
This mix is a great way to have a cup of hot chocolate on hand without needing to rely on store-bought mixes that often contain unnecessary additives. You can make a large batch of this cocoa mix and use it throughout the winter season or even give it as holiday gifts! Package it in a mason jar with a cute label and some instructions, add in a side of these Cranberry Icebox Cookies and it becomes a thoughtful, homemade present.
How to Make Your Own Homemade Cocoa Mix
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Use a fine mesh sieve for the powdered sugar and cocoa powder to prevent lumps in mix.
- For an extra bonus, add in some mini chocolate chips! To make it a smooth mix, try using a blender or food processor to incorporate the chocolate chips evenly. My kids love this fun touch that I add from time to time. You could even use peppermint bark chips for a fun flavor change up!
- Store your mix in a sealed airtight container or mason jar to keep it fresh. It's important to store it in a cool, dry place to prevent clumping over time and to maintain its rich chocolate flavor. (If you go through its as fast as us though, that's never a problem!)
? For 1 Cup of Hot Chocolate (8oz): Add 2 heaping tablespoons of the mix to a coffee cup, and fill it with water, milk, or a combination of both for a rich chocolate flavor. This homemade hot chocolate recipe is versatile and easy, making it our favorite recipe for cozy evenings. | BONUS: Try this Mulled Wassail Recipe next!
Variations and Tips
- If you want to go back to using powdered milk, you can easily add nonfat dry milk powder or whole milk powder to this recipe, add one cup, keep the other ingredient amounts the same.
- For a richer taste, use natural cocoa powder or even dark chocolate shavings.
- This recipe makes a big batch, so you'll have plenty on hand for the season.
- To make a hot chocolate bar, set up a slow cooker with the hot cocoa mix in a ratio of 2 cups of hot cocoa mix to a gallon of hot water or other liquid such as milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cornstarch adds a little body and creaminess to the drink. Without it, hot cocoa can taste thin, almost like chocolate-flavored water. A small spoonful makes each sip smoother and more like the cozy mugs you'd get from a café. I get this cornstarch brand.
Yes! Dutch-process cocoa will give you a smoother, more mellow flavor, while natural cocoa has a slightly sharper bite. Both work beautifully in this mix-just use what you enjoy most or have on hand. It's the same cocoa powder I use in my homemade chocolate pudding.
Stored in a sealed jar or airtight container in a cool, dry place, this mix will stay fresh for up to 6 months. Just make sure no steam or moisture gets in, and it will be ready whenever the craving hits.
Yes, you can. For a richer cup, try the version that includes dry milk powder, then all you'll need to add is hot water. If you're skipping the milk powder, I recommend using milk or a half-and-half mix of milk and water for the best flavor and creamy texture.
Start with 2 tablespoons per 8 oz of hot liquid. If you like an extra chocolatey mug, use 3 tablespoons. Everyone in our house has their "perfect ratio," so do
Yes, stored in a sealed jar with a little label, it makes a perfect gift and stays fresh up to 6 months.
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 2 Tablespoons Cornstarch
- ⅛ teaspoon teaspoon of salt
Instructions
- Combine ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, sift together the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and cornstarch through a fine-mesh sieve to break up any clumps. Then whisk in the granulated sugar and salt until everything is evenly blended. Taking a minute to sift makes a big difference-it helps the mix dissolve smoothly in hot liquid without any lumps.
- Optional step for texture: For an extra-fine powder, pulse the mix in a food processor or blender for 30-60 seconds. This helps the sugars and cocoa fully incorporate and gives you that café-style cocoa texture.
- Store properly: Transfer the finished mix into an airtight container or mason jar. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from moisture or steam. When stored correctly, it will stay fresh for up to 6 months.
- Make a cup: Add 2 tablespoons of mix to 8 oz of hot milk, hot water, or a combination of both. Stir until the powder is fully dissolved. For a richer flavor, use 3 tablespoons per cup or all milk instead of water.
- Serve and enjoy: Top with marshmallows, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce for an extra special treat.
I’ve made this hot cocoa mix more times than I can count, and it’s truly the best! It’s rich and chocolatey without being too sweet, and I love that it’s made from simple pantry staples. The cornstarch gives it that perfect creamy texture, and I usually mix mine with half milk, half water for the coziest cup. My kids always ask for a mug after dinner once the temperatures start to drop. It’s become such a comforting little tradition on our homestead. If you haven’t tried making your own mix before, this one will spoil you for the store-bought kind forever.
Umm yes! This is the one! I have tried several ones and this is the best. We grew up on Swiss miss and this to me is the closest. We use half water and half whole milk to make it even creamier.
That sounds AMAZING! Yum! I need to add more milk to mine. So glad you love it!
I needed a last minute christmas gift for my family and although I burned my tongue testing the final product in hot milk, it's absolutely delicious and a super easy thing to make (plus, I added more cocoa powder for a darker flavour). Love it ?
Besides the tongue part I'm glad it all worked out for you! And I love that you added extra cocoa. I like mine super rich too!
May be a silly question but is the cocoa powder the unsweetened or like nestle quik
It's baking cocoa, so the unsweetened version. No Nestle Quick here! 😉
What does the cornstarch do?!
It's what gives it that creamy taste! It thickens it a bit. You can definitely tell a difference when it's not used! 🙂
Can you use Tapioca starch instead of cornstarch?
In theory it should work! I'd give it a try! 🙂