BEST Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe
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.
One of our family’s favorite drinks in winter is hot chocolate, and in summer, it’s frozen chocolate drinks. Also, we like our chocolate drinks thick and creamy, so this chocolate mix is a must-have in my pantry. So that I can mix a batch at any time. And 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 they need it. I’d rather they drink some good homemade chocolate drinks than those frizzy, sweet ones.
Why you’ll love this chocolate mix
- This is the best hot chocolate drink you can make. It’s better than any hot cocoa mix you can pick from any grocery store.
- Moreover, 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 sometimes dress the rim, too. It just makes it a little extra special. As a kid, my mom used more milk powder in her cocoa mix – that way, she only added 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, use almond or soy-based milk. You can also use coconut milk, but take note that coconut milk will also have a coconut flavor.
- This also makes the perfect holiday gift for 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 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 more than the recommended amount here as you want this to be a pouring hot chocolate consistency, not a vanilla pastry cream consistency.
- Grated Chocolate – While it’s unnecessary, can you omit it? I highly recommend you don’t omit it. Real chocolate had cocoa butter, adding 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 through and give you that gorgeous velvet-like texture, so I highly recommend good-eating chocolate.
- Spices – This can be omitted or switched depending on your preference or season. For example, I love adding pumpkin spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg in the fall. But, in summer, I omit the spices and add vanilla to the milk.
Step-by-step: 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 hot chocolate
- Bring one cup of 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 tbsp chocolate mix to the milk – stir well to dissolve.
- Return the saucepan to heat or microwave at 30-second intervals.
- Bring the milk to a boil. This activates the cornstarch in the chocolate mix, making the hot chocolate thick and creamy.
- Top with more grated chocolate or marshmallows.
Variations
- Holiday hot cocoa – Add some crushed peppermint extract and candy cane over the hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream during the holiday season.
- 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 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 healthy hot chocolate, reduce or omit the powdered sugar and use honey or maple syrup as sweeteners.
- French hot chocolate – rich, thick, and creamy, made with real chocolate and cornstarch to thicken the mixture.
- Mexican hot chocolate – a sprinkle of cinnamon or 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, and soy milk.
- You can also make a few variations of hot chocolate recipes like Kahlua Chocolate Milkshake, Homemade Mocha Frappuccino, and Frozen Hot Chocolate Drink Christmas chocolate eggnog.
Frequently asked questions
How long will this hot chocolate mix keep?
If appropriately stored in an airtight container, this hot cocoa mix can last about six months. I highly recommend not adding the milk powder to the mix to keep it longer.
My hot chocolate mix has caked up or become hard.
Keeping the hot cocoa mix in an airtight container away from moisture is essential. Any moisture from the spoon or humidity from the air, when kept open for a long, will cause the powders to cake up.
Can I use this hot chocolate mix for baking a cake?
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.
Can I add alcohol to my 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.
Is this hot chocolate better with milk or water?
Milk, of course. Milk makes it more rich and creamy. You can use any dairy, almond, soy, or coconut milk.
Hot Chocolate Mix with real chocolate
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.
Video
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
Method
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
Single serving
- Bring one cup of milk to a boil in a saucepan or microwave-safe mug. Add 2 tbsp chocolate mix to the milk – stir well to dissolve.Pro tip – I used dairy milk, but almond or soy milk is delicious, too.
- Top with more grated chocolate or marshmallows.
Hello again,
Following up with a question I sent not too long ago.
You say to use whole milk powder. Here in Canada, the grocer Carrie’s skim milk powder. I would have to order whole milk powder on Amazon.
Will carnation malted milk powder due. Please advice
Hey Diana. Yes, you can buy whole milk powder from Amazon. I think Carnation is a good brand. Thanks
We do have whole
Milk powder in Canada at Bulk Barn.
Happy Holidays Veena!
This recipe sounds beautiful!
I would like to ask what type of milk powder to use, seeing I have never used it.
And my next question is can I get away with using 52% chocolate? Any modifications you would reccommend will be greatly appreciated.
Which are your favourite add ins?
Hey Diana, I use full-fat milk powder because my kids love the rich and creamy hot chocolate. And they love a rich chocolate flavor so I use 70% chocolate. But hot chocolate should be a personal preference so go with you like best.
I want to make the mix to be made with boiling water. How much more milk powder do you suggest? Also do you have a recommendation for a brand of milk powder?
The milk is a personal taste. For my family, I would use almost double the milk powder.
If you need milk when you make it , do you need the milk powder in the recipe?
The milk powder adds richness and makes the chocolate milk thicker.
How long does this stay good for?
I put a little bit of Starbucks Cocoa mix in my coffee each morning and I’m tired of paying so much for it. I want to start making my own and I can’t wait to try this recipe.
I usually keep mine for months. I have one now which has been three months and still good.
Since the recipe has dry milk in it, can it be made with boiled water? If yes would it just be less thick or change the flavor too?
Yes, Valerie. You can definitely make it with water but milk gives it a richer taste and flavor.
I initially mixed everything in a bowl and used chocolate chips, but then I decided to throw it all in my high speed blender and it was awesome!! everything evenly mixed and no lumps. we will be using this while camping so I am adding more milk powder to it and making it with water. thanks for the great recipe!
Hi! This looks delicious. I am planning on setting up a hot chocolate bar for a child’s birthday party and was hoping to use this recipe in bulk (triple recipe for 30 adult servings). I’m going to make the mix in advance, but on the day of how much milk should I heat up before adding the entire mix? Any other tips for making this in bulk?
Hey MM,
1 gallon is 16 cups of milk. I’d say you will need at least 2 gallons for 30 people.
– I know the serving says 10 servings, but it really depends on how thick or liquid you prefer your chocolate milk. This one makes a thick consistency.
So add less chocolate mix and adjust based on how thick you want it.
– Take into account that not everyone will drink chocolate milk, and not everyone likes it very thick.
– Also, note that this will thicken slightly as it cools so you will need to add more milk to adjust consistency.
– Have fun.
Hello Veena,
Kindly tell me if you use skim milk powder or whole milk powder? Does it matter?
Thanks,
Diana
I used whole milk powder, Diana. The taste is richer!!
It’s sounds great
Can you make it sugar free?
Yes Kathy – omit the sugar and add honey when you are preparing the drink.
When adding in the mix to milk ….the grated chocolate does not melt…it creates lumps instead
What is the reason for this?
Chocolate always melts in hot milk Vaishali. The thinner you grate or chop chocolate the quicker it will melt.
Hi! What is the purpose of the milk powder if you are adding real milk as well? Does it make it richer?
Yes, it makes it richer but it also has more thickening agents.
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?
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.