This homemade Hot Cocoa Mix is rich, chocolatey and easy to make ahead for holiday gifting or a cozy night in. With one flexible recipe, you can prep a full batch of mix for sharing or make a single mug for yourself.
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About this Hot Cocoa Mix recipe
This recipe is designed to keep things simple. The full batch makes about 2 cups of cocoa mix, which equals six servings and works beautifully for gifting. In the post, you’ll also find guidance for making a single mug, so you can enjoy homemade hot cocoa without committing to a whole batch.
The mix is a more upscale version of your standard store-bought cocoa mix, with cornstarch for a thicker texture, and sprinkles and marshmallows for festive color and flavor. It comes together in minutes, stores well and dissolves easily in hot water.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Rich and chocolatey: Whole milk powder gives this cocoa a creamy texture and full flavor that tastes better than store-bought mixes.
- Perfect for gifting: This batch makes about six one-serving 4-ounce jars ideal for holiday gifts or stocking stuffers.
- Easy to scale: Make one mug, one jar or a whole batch without complicated math thanks to the adjustable recipe card.
Tools & equipment
You’ll need a large mixing bowl * and a whisk to combine the dry ingredients evenly. Measuring cups and spoons are important for accuracy, especially when portioning the mix for jars. An airtight container or lidded glass jar works well for storage, and small 4-ounce jars are great if you plan to gift individual servings.
hot cocoa mix jars
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Ingredients
This hot chocolate mix starts with whole milk powder, which creates a creamy base when mixed with hot water. Unsweetened cocoa powder provides deep chocolate flavor and regular granulated sugar adds sweetness. Fine sea salt enhances the cocoa and keeps it from tasting flat.
Cornstarch is optional but makes the texture thicker and silkier when the cocoa is mixed. If you prefer a thinner cocoa, you can leave out the cornstarch. Without it, the texture is similar to a classic Swiss Miss packet.
Sprinkles and marshmallows are also optional but so fun, especially if you’re making this mix for gifts. For sprinkles, jimmies or confetti-style sprinkles work best, as nonpareils can bleed color into the mix. Grab red and green Christmas sprinkles * for the holidays or any color combo for other occasions if you like.
Instructions
Making hot cocoa mix is super simple. Here’s what to do:
Grab a large mixing bowl *, whisk together the milk powder, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, cornstarch and sprinkles (if using). Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is completely uniform, then transfer to an airtight container. Top with a few marshmallows, if desired.
Tips & tricks
- Whisk thoroughly: Even mixing is key so each scoop has the right balance of cocoa, sugar and milk powder. This is especially important if you are including cornstarch.
- Shake before scooping: Ingredients can settle during storage, especially if you use sprinkles.
- Use whole milk powder: This gives the best flavor and richness when the cocoa is mixed.
How to use homemade cocoa mix
To make one mug of hot cocoa, add 6 tablespoons of the cocoa mix to a mug. Pour in 8 ounces of hot water (not boiling) and stir until fully combined. Top with mini marshmallows if using.
Tip: Hot, not boiling, water works best. The mix dissolves easily and stays smooth without scorching the milk powder or cocoa.
Serving suggestions
This hot cocoa mix is perfect for cozy nights at home or holiday gifting. One serving equals about 6 tablespoons of mix, which fits neatly into a 4-ounce mini jar. A full batch makes about six jars, making it easy to prep gifts.
For gifting or storage, you can layer mini marshmallows on top of the dry mix inside each jar, using about 2 tablespoons per serving. Add the marshmallows as a topping layer rather than mixing them into the powder.
The recipe can also be doubled or tripled using the “+” and “-” buttons in the recipe card. This is helpful if you’re making cocoa mix for a crowd.
You could also pair a jar of mix with another jar containing homemade marshmallows or bourbon marshmallows.
FAQ
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, the dry mix keeps for 4 to 6 months.
You can use hot milk instead of water for an extra creamy mug of cocoa, though the mix was tested with water for convenience and consistency.
Milk powder makes the mix shelf-stable and giftable, while still creating a creamy texture once mixed with hot water.
More hot chocolate recipes
Hot Cocoa Mix
ingredients
Hot Cocoa Mix
- ¾ cup whole milk powder
- 9 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional — adds a slightly thicker, silkier texture)
- 2 tablespoons sprinkles optional
- 12 tablespoons mini marshmallows optional
Hot Cocoa
- 6 tablespoons hot cocoa mix
- 8 ounces hot water not boiling
- 2 tablespoons mini marshmallows
instructions
Make the Mix:
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the milk powder, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, cornstarch and sprinkles (if using)¾ cup whole milk powder, 9 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, ¾ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon fine sea salt *, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons sprinkles
- Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is completely uniform.
- Transfer to an airtight container. Optionally, add 2 marshmallows on top of the mix in each jar.12 tablespoons mini marshmallows
To Make 1 Mug Hot Cocoa:
- Add 6 tablespoons of hot cocoa mix to a heat-proof mug.6 tablespoons hot cocoa mix
- Pour in 8 ounces of hot water (not boiling) and stir until fully combined.8 ounces hot water
- Top with 2 tablespoons mini marshmallows.2 tablespoons mini marshmallows
notes
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