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Made with just four ingredients, my homemade hot cocoa mix comes together in a matter of minutes. When stirred into a mug of hot milk or boiling water, this sweet, chocolately beverage satisfies any hot cocoa craving, and also makes a unique handmade gift.

Why Make Hot Cocoa From Scratch?

I recently spent a couple of days revamping my homemade candy corn recipe, which includes powdered milk. Unfortunately, powdered milk seems to be one of those pesky grocery items that only comes in a massive container (my candy corn recipe requires just two tablespoons of the stuff!) So afterward, I found myself with a big container of homemade candy corn, and an even bigger container of leftover powdered milk.

Thankfully, this homemade hot cocoa mix recipe makes the perfect project for using up dry milk. You’ll need 80 grams, or 1 cup, of milk powder for each batch of cocoa mix you plan to make.

This simple hot cocoa recipe is so quick and easy, and the finished product will last for months when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. And because it ships well and offers endless options for creative packaging, DIY hot chocolate also makes a lovely holiday gift—see some of my suggestions below!

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Tips and Tricks

My homemade hox cocoa mix recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled. As written, this recipe will make 260 grams (or about 2 1/2 cups) of mix; you’ll use about 3 tablespoons of cocoa mix per 6-8-ounce mug of hot chocolate.

If making hot chocolate mix for gifting purposes, (or if your household just goes through lots of hot chocolate!) you can definitely mix up multiple batches at once. Just make sure you have a really big bowl on hand!

Double-check that you’ve chosen unsweetened cocoa powder, not sweetened cocoa or instant hot chocolate mix! This recipe contains plenty of confectioner’s sugar already; anything sweetened will make the drink overwhelmingly saccharine.

Do not skip the sifting step. Confectioner’s sugar often comes with some hard, gritty bits mixed into the powder, and these won’t be pleasant in your otherwise-creamy mug of hot chocolate. To sift, simply pour the sugar into a mesh sieve and use a bench scraper to push it through, then discard any hard sugar clumps remaining in the sieve.

Preparing Homemade Hot Chocolate

This recipe works with just about any liquid. You can prepare your hot chocolate using water, skim or 2% milk, whole milk, half-and-half, or even a plant milk like almond or oat. (Just remember that the hot chocolate drink won’t be vegan or dairy free because of the milk powder in the mix. For a dairy free and vegan option, try my vegan hot chocolate recipe instead.) Opt for whole milk or half-and-half for the richest drink.

Whichever liquid you choose, be sure to add hot water; the mix won’t dissolve properly if the water is just lukewarm.

In testing, I found that 3 tablespoons of hot chocolate mix, stirred into a 180 milliliter (6 fluid ounce) mug, made just the right drink for me. However, feel free to up the amount of hot cocoa mix per serving if you prefer a thicker beverage with a more pronounced chocolate flavor and creamier texture.

If desired, you can also add marshmallows to the your dry cocoa mix. If going this route, I suggest using dehydrated mini marshmallows (like the kind you find in commercially-made cocoa packets) rather than regular mini marshmallows; the latter tend to grow stale or sticky, while the dehydrated kind should be fine in your dry mix, even if stored for a couple of months.

You’ll find endless ways to customize this recipe and make the drink your own. Read on for my suggestions!

Putting Your Own Spin on This Cocoa Mix Recipe

While this cocoa mix recipe makes a great hot chocolate all by itself, there are also plenty of ways to make each mug unique.
Some of my favorite ideas for personalizing a mug of cocoa include:

Add a handful of homemade marshmallows. I love making flavors including peppermint marshmallows, cookies and cream marshmallows, strawberry marshmallows, and classic vanilla bean marshmallows.
Stir in a tablespoon of chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips for a richer drink.
Add flavor extracts or oils, like peppermint oil, orange oil, or vanilla bean paste.
Make a boozy adult hot chocolate by adding a splash of liqueur, such as Bailey’s Irish Cream.
Stir in crushed candy canes or starlight mints for a refreshing mint hot cocoa beverage.
Top your DIY hot chocolate with a dollop of whipped cream, like homemade Bailey’s whipped cream or coconut whipped cream, or even a squirt of the store-bought stuff.
Stir in ground spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne, or even a pumpkin spice blend.

Packaging and Gifting Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

Homemade hot cocoa mix makes a great gift for teachers, dance and music instructors, scout leaders, and others on your holiday gift list. (It’s especially nice because this cocoa mix recipe requires no cooking, so kids can help to mix it and package it up!) It’s also ideal for gifting because it does not need to be refrigerated, and will keep well in an airtight container (or sealed plastic bag) for several months. This also makes it ideal for shipping to out-of-town friends, because there is no risk of melting or freezing, and no spoiling in transit unless something goes very awry.

Some suggestions for packaging homemade hot cocoa mix include:

Add it to a cello bag (there are even some fun winter-themed bags) with a big bow on top. If gifting a larger portion, you can also add a plastic scoop, like this one.
For Christmas or Hanukkah, package your creation in a holiday-themed bag and tie with a candy cane or ornament.
Make a themed, “cocoa for one” gift. Include a single serving of hot cocoa mix (sealed in a small cello bag with instructions), a stirring spoon, and two or three homemade marshmallows, all packaged in a pretty mug.
If you enjoy making hot chocolate bombs, you can fill them with this homemade mix, rather than store-bought hot cocoa.

Other homemade hot chocolate recipes you might enjoy:

Red Wine Hot Chocolate Recipe
Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe
White Hot Chocolate Recipe

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!