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 it's frozen chocolate drinks. We like our chocolate drinks thick and creamy so this chocolate mix is a must-have in my pantry so I can mix a batch any time. 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 drinks compared to those frizzy sweet drinks.
About this chocolate mix
- This is the best hot chocolate drink you will make. Better than any hot cocoa mix you can pick from any grocery stores
- 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 hot 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.
- This also makes the perfect holiday gift to family and friends during Christmas. Just fill a mason jar and tie a pretty bow with a gift tag on the lid!
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 sugar or icing sugar that has been processed with cornstarch or potato starch to prevent caking.
- Dry milk powder - please use whole milk powder for the best flavor. Since it is a dry mix it does stay well in the cocoa powder.
- 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!! 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
Homemade hot cocoa mix recipe
The chocolate mix
- Grate the chocolate with a fine grater or use a food processor.
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl - powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk powder, grated chocolate, cornstarch, and spices.
Pro 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
Pro tip - I used dairy milk but almond, or soy milk is delicious too - Add 2 tablespoon 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 a boil. This activates the cornstarch in the chocolate mix and makes the hot chocolate thick and creamy.
- Top with more grated chocolate or marshmallows.
Variations
- Holiday hot cocoa - During the holiday season add some crushed peppermint extract, candy cane over the hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.
- Chocolate chips - I've used a grated chocolate bar but you can also use semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips.
- White chocolate - If you like white chocolate throw in some white chocolate chips for some added sweet chocolate flavor.
- Sweet or unsweet - Of course, I have used unsweetened cocoa powder but you can use sweetened cocoa powder to make the drink sweeter.
- Cinnamon - Add a sprinkle of cinnamon powder and garnish with cinnamon sticks to celebrate fall.
- Maple hot chocolate - for a healthy hot chocolate reduce or omit the powdered sugar and use honey or maple syrup as sweeteners.
- Mexican hot chocolate - of course, a sprinkle of cayenne pepper makes the perfect addition to chocolate.
- Dairy-Free or vegan - You can make it with dairy milk of course but you can also make it dairy-free and vegan such as almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk.
- You can also make a few variations of hot chocolate recipes like Kahlua Chocolate Milkshake, Homemade Mocha Frappuccino as well Frozen Hot Chocolate Drink, Christmas chocolate eggnog with it.
More chocolate recipes
- Frozen Hot Chocolate Drink
- Chocolate Chip Cranberry Cookies
- Recipe for Chocolate Babka
- Rugelach Chocolate Rolls - Chocolate Rugelach Cookies
- Chocolate Cinnamon Rolls
- Coffee Chocolate Cake or Flourless Chocolate Cake Recipe
- See all chocolate desserts, chocolate cake
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 tablespoon Cornstarch
Spices (optional)
- ½ teaspoon Pumpkin spice
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon spice
- ½ teaspoon 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. Pro 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 of milk to a boil in a saucepan or microwave-safe mug. Add 2 tablespoon chocolate mix to the milk – stir well to dissolvePro tip - I used dairy milk but almond, or soy milk is delicious too
- 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
Kathy Hunter
It’s sounds great
Can you make it sugar free?
Veena Azmanov
Yes Kathy - omit the sugar and add honey when you are preparing the drink.
Vaishali Gandhi
When adding in the mix to milk ....the grated chocolate does not melt...it creates lumps instead
What is the reason for this?
Veena Azmanov
Chocolate always melts in hot milk Vaishali. The thinner you grate or chop chocolate the quicker it will melt.
Alyssa
Hi! What is the purpose of the milk powder if you are adding real milk as well? Does it make it richer?
Veena Azmanov
Yes, it makes it richer but it also has more thickening agents.
Jen B
Thank you for this recipe. My mum had a hospital stay a year ago and she loved having hot chocolate while she was there, I gave her this today as an "anniversary" gift and she made a cup straight away and loved it! Can I ask, how much extra milk powder should I add if I want to make the hot choc with just water?
Veena Azmanov
You can add up to 1 cup extra milk powder but take note it will be more milky and less chocolate. You can also add 1/2 cup more cocoa powder if you want to make it less sweet. Happy you are enjoying this recipe. Thanks for the feedback.