Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

I'm not against hot chocolate mixes, but there's nothing like a steaming cup of homemade hot cocoa that is just so special. I swear, my kids go outside and play in the snow just so they can come inside to a cup of this hot cocoa! Bonus: it is so ridiculously easy to throw together and have on hand for months. Well, if it lasts that long...it doesn't in my house!

So skip the packet this year and make this wholesome and delicious hot cocoa mix instead!

Looking for other festive drink recipes? Check out my Peppermint White Hot Chocolate, Christmas Prosecco Cocktail, and Baileys Eggnog!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Easy - this homemade hot cocoa mix recipe is so incredibly easy to whip up. Then you'll have it on hand to make hot cocoa whenever the craving strikes!
• Delicious - truly, this hot cocoa is worlds better than the store-bought kind!
• Large Batch - This will make around 15-18 cups of hot cocoa (depending on how much you use)

Ingredients

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - this is what gives the hot cocoa the chocolate flavor. Dutch-processed cocoa powder will give the hot cocoa a very rich chocolate flavor.

Powdered Sugar - this sweetens the hot cocoa and dissolves in the hot water easily.

Powdered Milk - there is whole milk powder in the mix so all you have to do is combine it with hot water! You can usually find this at grocery stores in the baking aisle but you can also find it on Amazon here.

Cornstarch - this helps thicken up the hot cocoa.

Salt - this helps bring out the flavor.

Please refer to the recipe card for the complete list of ingredients and nutritional information.

Variations

Add a Shot of Espresso - if you want mocha-vibe, add a shot of espresso to your hot cocoa.

Add Peppermint Extract - if you want a peppermint hot cocoa, add ⅛ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the water before you add the hot cocoa mix.

Add Cinnamon - if you want a cinnamon hot cocoa, ass 1 tablespoon of cinnamon to the big batch mix.

Spice it Up - want a little heat to your hot cocoa? Add some cayenne pepper to the mix.

Add Vanilla Extract - if you want a vanilla flavor to your hot cocoa, add ⅛ teaspoon of vanilla extract to the water before you add the hot cocoa mix.

Dairy Free - if you want a dairy free version of this, you can use Oat Milk Powder.

Expert Tips

Storage - store hot cocoa mix in a large Ziplock baggie or an airtight container. I like using a large mason jar or a container like this.

Toppings - you can add any or all of your favorite toppings to this hot cocoa! My kids love whipped cream and sprinkles (they're obsessed with this peppermint whipped cream!) and sprinkles but other ideas are mini marshmallows, crushed up candy canes, chopped candy, chocolate shavings, chocolate syrup, slivered almonds, chopped peanuts, chocolate chips, caramel syrup, crumbled cookies, toffee bits, sea salt, or a cherry.