Make delicious mugs of hot chocolate at home with this homemade hot chocolate mix recipe. Made with real grated chocolate in the cocoa mix this is thick, creamy, and delicious.
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One of our family's favorite drinks in winter is, of course, hot chocolate, and in summer its frozen chocolate drinks. We like our chocolate drinks thick and creamy. In summer I make a jug of hot chocolate and leave it in the fridge so the kids can have it when it's cold or when they feel the need. Personally, I'd rather they drink some good homemade chocolate drink compared to those frizzy sweet drinks.
About this chocolate mix
We like our hot chocolate thick and creamy so I add real chocolate and just a little cornstarch in the mix. This thickens the hot cocoa making it extra luxurious. Just like you do when you make eggless vanilla pastry cream - not as thick as that but you get the idea.
I love to grate some chocolate for extra dusting and dress the rim sometimes too. It just makes it a little extra special. As a kid, my mom used more milk powder in her cocoa mix - that way all she did was add water to make the hot chocolate.
Use it as a base for making hot chocolate drinks in winter, frozen chocolate drinks in summer, or other cool chocolate drinks.
For a vegan version of this hot chocolate mix recipe using almond or soy-based milk. You can also use coconut milk but take note that coconut milk will also have a coconut flavor.
Personally, I love the combination of coconut and chocolate but do make sure the person you serve it to appreciates the combination of coconut and chocolate.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Cocoa Powder - I use unsweetened dutch processed cocoa powder. It's just regular cocoa powder we use for standard baking, nothing fancy.
- Powdered Sugar - also called confectioners or icing sugar that has been processed with cornstarch or potato starch to prevent caking.
- Cornflour - this is what helps us achieve that thick luscious creamy and velvety texture. The more cornstarch you add the thicker the hot chocolate will become. I highly recommend you do not add any more than the recommended amount here as you want this to be a pouring hot chocolate consistency, not vanilla pastry cream consistency.
- Grated Chocolate - While it's not absolutely necessary and you can omit it? I highly recommend you don't omit it. Real chocolate had cocoa butter which adds richness, flavor, and sheen to our finished hot chocolate. Having said that we all know that real chocolate has to be good quality chocolate - no less!! A good quality chocolate will shine thru and give you that gorgeous velvet-like texture so I highly recommend using good eating chocolate.
- Spices - This can be omitted or switched depending on your preference or season. For example, in fall I love to add pumpkin spice, cinnamon and nutmeg. But, in summer I omit the spices and add vanilla to the milk
Step by step instructions
The chocolate mix
- Grate the chocolate with a fine grater or use a food processor.
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl - powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk powder, grated chocolate, cornstarch, and spices.Tip- A whisk works best to combine dry ingredients
- Store it in an airtight container such as a glass jar for up to 6 months.
Single serving
- Bring one cup milk to a boil in a saucepan or microwave-safe mugTip - I used dairy milk but almond, or soy milk is delicious too
- Add 2 tbsp chocolate mix to the milk – stir well to dissolve
- Return the saucepan back to heat or microwave at 30 seconds intervals
- Bring the milk to boil. This activates the cornstarch in the chocolate mix and makes the hot chocolate thick and creamy.
- Top with more grated chocolate or marshmallows.
Frequently asked questions
This hot cocoa mix if stored properly in an airtight container can keep for about 6 months. To keep it longer I highly recommend not adding the milk powder to the mix.
It is very important to keep the hot cocoa mix in an airtight container away from moisture. Any moisture from the spoon or humidity from the air, when kept open for long, will cause the powders to cake up.
A hot cocoa mix does have cocoa that can be used for baking but it also has other ingredients like sugar and milk powder. So unless your recipe takes that extra sugar and milk powder into account I would not recommend it.
Also, just cocoa powder will give a more rich chocolate taste to your baked goods than a hot chocolate mix.
Yes, using liquors in hot chocolate is very common and tastes delicious. Try a splash of brandy, some cognac, or even Irish whiskey. I love adding baileys to my hot chocolate
Milk of course. Milk makes it more rich and creamy. You can use any milk, dairy, almond, soy or coconut milk.
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Printable Recipe
Hot Chocolate Mix with real chocolate
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Ingredients
Hot Chocolate Mix
- 2 cups (240 g) Powdered sugar
- 1 cup (85 g) Cocoa powder
- 1 cup (240 ml) Milk Powder
- 3 oz (85 g) Grated semi sweet chocolate I use 60%
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
Spices (optional)
- ½ tsp Pumpkin spice
- ½ tsp Cinnamon spice
- ½ tsp Nutmeg fresh grated
Instructions
Hot chocolate mix
- Grate the chocolate with a fine grater or use a food processor.
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl - powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk powder, grated chocolate, cornstarch, and spices. Tip- A whisk works best to combine dry ingredients
- Store it in an airtight container such as a glass jar for up to 6 months.
Single serving
- Bring one cup milk to a boil in a saucepan or microwave-safe mug Tip - I used dairy milk but almond, or soy milk is delicious too
- Add 2 tbsp chocolate mix to the milk – stir well to dissolve
- Bring the milk to boil. This activates the cornstarch in the chocolate mix and makes the hot chocolate thick and creamy.
- Top with more grated chocolate or marshmallows.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
Susan
I used swerve powdered sugar and it’s delicious!! Actually addictive ♥️
Veena Azmanov
Thank you Susan.
Tracie
Could this be used in cocoa bombs???
Veena Azmanov
Tracie. If your bombs recipe uses cocoa mix then yes!
ChapelHillBetsy
This recipe sounds wonderful and I will be making it soon. But we will be doing a Hot Chocolate Bar with our kids and grand kids - outside and very social distanced - this weekend, and our nurse daughter-in-law would like us to serve the hot chocolate in our 40 cup coffee urn. I'm not sure how this recipe would work that way. Any suggestions? Or do you have a recipe that would lend itself better to serving that way?
Veena Azmanov
Hey Betsy. That is an interesting idea. I have not tried serving hot chocolate in a coffee urn.
Though I would make the hot chocolate first, so there are no lumps and it thickens up nicely. Then pour it in the urn to keep it hot and serve.
Merry Christmas to you and yours