There’s nothing cozier than a steaming cup of hot chocolate, especially during the colder months. With this homemade hot chocolate mix recipe, you’ll have a delicious, easy-to-make treat ready whenever the craving hits. Plus, we’ll guide you on creating the perfect hot chocolate bar for your next gathering.
I had been hearing that Grandma Rita (see here for when I made a fun snack of white chocolate peanut covered grapes with her) had the best recipe for hot chocolate. I had heard that it was a homemade hot chocolate mix where all one had to do was add water and one would have hot cocoa in minutes.
Well, I just had to try it out. I mean, who hasn’t had one of those little packets of hot chocolate only to be left unimpressed because it was a little weak and flavorless, am I right? So with a little skepticism I made the recipe and tried it, ummm yeah, it was amazing! Rich and chocolatey and perfect, this homemade chocolate is definitely a recipe to make.
Why You’ll Love This Hot Chocolate Mix
- Simple Ingredients: Made with only 4 ingredients, instant dry milk, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt, this mix is as straightforward as it gets.
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, add flavors, or even make it dairy-free to suit your taste.
- Perfect for Gifting: Package it in a cute jar for a thoughtful, homemade gift.
- Versatile: Use it for traditional hot chocolate, mochas, or even as a dessert topping.
What’s cool about this recipe is that it uses dry milk (I had never even known dry milk was a thing – it was sold in the baking aisle of the grocery store by the evaporated milk) so when mixed with water it has a really nice creamy consistency-not watery.
Customizations
- Rich and Creamy: Use whole milk or half-and-half when preparing.
- Spiced: Add a pinch of nutmeg, cayenne, or cardamom for a unique twist.
- Dairy-Free: Substitute powdered milk with coconut milk powder and use almond or oat milk when serving.
- Decadent: Stir in chocolate chips or crushed candy canes before sealing the mix.
As I was enjoying my cup of hot chocolate I thought of all the fun toppings that one could put on hot cocoa and the idea of a hot chocolate bar was born. I shared how to make a mimosa bar, so I just couldn’t resist putting this one together. Customizable bars are always so fun, especially around the holidays, everyone can make unique flavor combinations.
For a hot cocoa bar you want a combination of toppings and mix-ins, here is what I all included:
- 1 canister of hot chocolate mix (I store it in a Santa canister, like this one)
- A small bowl filled with mini marshmallow bits (I got these ones, they were dried mini marshmallows and were super popular!)
- A small bowl filled with mini chocolate chips
- A small bowl filled with chopped up peppermint bark (I used 1 bar of Ghirardelli limited edition peppermint bar, it was so good that I’m going to buy a bag of squares.)
- Fresh whipped cream (or a can of whipping cream)
- A glass bottle filled with caramel sauce (I buy bulk flip cap bottles like these and then use them for syrups and dressings throughout the year)
- A glass bottle filled with chocolate syrup
- Green and red colored straws (like these red and these green ones)
- A little something for the adults – peppermint schnapps and baileys
- And of course you need mugs and hot water
What would you put in your hot chocolate? Here are some different flavor combination ideas:
- Caramel hot chocolate – hot cocoa mix, water, whipped cream, caramel sauce
- Triple chocolate hot chocolate – hot cocoa mix, water, mini chocolate chips, whipped cream, mini marshmallows, chocolate syrup
- Minty hot chocolate – hot cocoa mix, water, whipped cream, mini marshmallows, peppermint bark bits (for adults add some schnapps)
- Baileys hot chocolate – hot cocoa mix, water, a dash of baileys, mini marshmallows
- Everything hot chocolate – hot cocoa mix, water, whipped cream, mini marshmallows, mini chocolate chips, chocolate syrup and caramel syrup
Other recipes you might enjoy:
Hot Chocolate Recipe {and how to set up a hot chocolate bar}
Ingredients
- 2 cups instant dry milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder unsweetened
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients in a large bowl and stir.
- Store in an air tight canister or in a ziplock bag.
- Add 1⁄4 cup of this mixture to 1 cup of boiling water.
Notes
Nutrition
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linda says
I must say this was very helpful and easy to understand.
Rose W says
About five years ago, I made this as a Christmas gift in a canister for a dear friend of mine. He said it was the best hot chocolate mix he’s ever had and because of it, it has become an annual gift that he looks forward to and frankly expects every year. Two years ago, I lost the recipe and didn’t realize it was yours. He eventually showed me the recipe I included the first year I gave it to him and when I realized it was yours, now I have it every year. A double batch is ready and waiting for him. The year he didn’t get it, I can’t even begin to tell you how much pouted and sad he was. That said, I have now started making it in a sugar free version. I make it with an artificial sweetener, erythritol, without the dry milk and I add that to some hot almond milk for a delicious sugar-free hot chocolate treat. So there you have it, the perfect Christmas present for some.
Sweetphi says
This is the best comment ever! Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to come back and share this story. I am so so happy you found this recipe again!!
Bailie Pinion says
What do you use to keep your water hot? Doing this for my sisters baby shower! Thanks
Sweetphi says
Love that you’re doing it for a baby shower!! I keep water hot in an electric water heater I actually have two because my family is big hot water drinkers, and for hot cocoa parties 🙂
Rose says
I made this and it’s wonderful. Thanks
Sweetphi says
You’re so welcome! Thanks for letting me know how you liked it – I always make a few batches in the winter to have on hand for when guests come over.
Little Cooking Tips says
Yummy yummy yummy! Panos really can’t wait to try this one out! He’s obsessed with anything chocolate!:)
This hot chocolate is perfect for any cold winter afternoon, isn’t it?
Are those sweet guys your dad and sister in the pics? 🙂
Thank you for another delicious recipe!
xoxo
Sweetphi says
Hot chocolate is such a delicious treat in the cold winter, and this hot cocoa mix is amazing to keep on hand. In the pictures are my sisters-in-law, they all live very close and are so great with photos, I love making recipes over at my parents in laws house when everyone is there 🙂
Jess says
Any thoughts on making this hot chocolate mix with Splenda or some other sugar free sweetener? My dad & mother-in-law are both diabetics, but I think this would be a neat Christmas gift if I can make it sugar-free!
Sweetphi says
Good question! I have never tried it, but I would say you can definitely substitute sweetener for the sugar, just follow the conversions provided by the manufacturer 🙂 I’d love to know how it turns out for you.
Jess says
Update for you – I used Splenda for baking that measures the same as sugar. I used just shy of a cup of it (maybe a tablespoon or so less than a cup) and then increased the cocoa by approximately a tablespoon or two to cut the fake-sweet taste a bit. I’m not a fan of artificial sweeteners, but I tried a test mug before I gifted the mix, and it was pretty tasty! (Though in the future I will make the real sugar kind for myself;) My dad & my MIL both seemed to appreciate the homemade mix! Thanks for the recipe!
Sweetphi says
Thank you SO MUCH for coming back and letting me know how it turned out with Splenda, I’m sure this will be much appreciated by someone looking if substitutions work in the future 🙂
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
My husband and I always said that if we had of gotten married in winter then we would have had a hot choocolate bar. This one looks amazing.
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much! I totally didn’t know the concepts of different food and drink ‘bars’ when we got married, otherwise I totally would have had a hot chocolate bar – warm weather or not lol! 😉
Shawnna says
I love hot chocolate!! With marshmallows on top!! yummy!!
Sweetphi says
That’s my favorite too Shawnna! Just a cup of hot chocolate brimming with marshmallows- yum!
cheri says
Hi Phi, I am making this later tonight as I have all the ingredients, such a great recipe and fabulous idea!
Sweetphi says
YAY! I’d love to know what you think! I made a batch to bring to work and we’ve been enjoying it there for the past week 🙂
Jess @ What Jessica Baked Next says
I love homemade hot chocolate! These look delicious – love the different flavours ideas. Also, such a brilliant idea to set up a hot chocolate bar! 🙂
Sweetphi says
Thank you so much Jess. I absolutely loved trying everyone’s flavor combinations and finding which one was my favorite 🙂