Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Published December 15, 2021. Updated December 16, 2021

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Our favorite Hot Chocolate Mix recipe! It’s amazingly chocolatey and tastes a hundred times better than any store-bought mix, plus it’s unbelievably easy to make!

Homemade hot chocolate mix in a glass canister with a buffalo check red and black ribbon. A Christmas tree is in the background.

The Best Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

There’s nothing quite like a cup of hot cocoa on a blistery winter day! Whether it’s after an evening of visiting holiday lights, spending the day skiing, sledding, or playing in the snow hot chocolate is always the answer and the tastiest way to warm up.

This cozy and warm drink is decadently chocolatey, lusciously creamy, and it’s made with just 6 ingredients (once you include the milk to prepare it).

It incorporates chocolate in two forms – both bars and cocoa powder for a pure, real deal chocolate flavor!

Then it also has a secret ingredient of malted milk powder. Which is an ingredient commonly found in old fashioned milkshakes.

It’s so tasty and the prefect upgrade to this hot cocoa mix recipe. It adds a hint of that unique malted flavor. You can usually find in the baking isle or dry beverages section at the grocery store (another option is to buy it online).

Once you try this homemade hot chocolate mix you’ll likely be hooked and will have a hard time going back to any store-bought mix again. We are completely obsessed with it!

If only it could pass for a decent breakfast and we would be tempted to start every morning with it.

Hot chocolate mix shown prepared in a mug with milk and topped with marshmallows.

Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (85g) Dutch cocoa powder (spoon and level)
  • 6 oz. unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
  • 8 Tbsp (80g) malted milk powder
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp (20g) cornstarch
  • And don’t forget the milk to prepare it (I like whole milk for a creamy option)

Photo of ingredients used to make hot chocolate.

How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

  1. Add all ingredients to a food processor (7 to 14 cup size).
  2. Pulse until everything is finely ground, about 30 to 60 seconds.
  3. Pour mixture into an airtight container and keep up to 3 months (or sooner if ingredients expire before then).

How to Prepare the Drink

  1. Heat 1 cup milk for 1 serving (or 2 cups for 2 servings) in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
  2. Once mixture bubbles lightly at the edges add 1/4 cup hot cocoa mix for 1 serving (or 1/2 cup mix for 2 servings). Cook and whisk constantly bringing to a gentle simmer. Let simmer 20 seconds while stirring.
  3. Pour into a mug, let it cool slightly before serving.

Hot chocolate mix in food processor before blending.Homemade hot chocolate mix in food processor after blending.

Possible Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe Variations

  • Prepare by hand: If you don’t have a food processor everything can just be whisked together the hot cocoa mix just won’t look smooth but it will taste the same.
  • Boost flavor with espresso: Add 1 Tbsp instant espresso powder (or more to taste) for a light background coffee flavor.
  • Highlight with vanilla or peppermint: You can add 1/8th tsp vanilla (per serving) to the hot chocolate drink after heating. Another option is to add a few drops peppermint extract.
  • Top it off: Serve with homemade whipped cream or marshmallows.
  • Use natural cocoa: Regular unsweetened cocoa powder can be used here as well it will just be a slightly less rich.
  • Scale the recipe: Recipe can be halved or doubled for a smaller or larger batch. Just keep in mind if doubling you will need a 14-cup food processor so there’s enough room for everything to finely chopped well to a powder.
  • Add Mexican flavor: A little chili powder, cinnamon and cayenne pepper can be added for a Mexican hot cocoa mix.

Hot chocolate mix shown from above in container.

More Decadent Chocolate Recipes to Try

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Homemade hot chocolate mix in a glass canister with a buffalo check red and black ribbon. A Christmas tree is in the background.
5 from 2 votes

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

Recipe makes 3 cups.
Servings: 12 (1/4 cup servings)
Prep15 minutes
Ready in: 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (85g) Dutch cocoa powder (spoon and level)
  • 6 oz. unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
  • 8 Tbsp (80g) malted milk powder
  • 2 1/2 Tbsp (20g) cornstarch

Instructions

  • Add all ingredients to a food processor (7 to 14 cup size).
  • Pulse until everything is finely ground, about 30 to 60 seconds.
  • Pour mixture into an airtight container and keep up to 3 months (or sooner if ingredients expire before then).
  • To prepare the hot chocolate drink: Heat 1 cup milk for 1 serving (or 2 cups for 2 servings) in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
  • Once mixture bubbles lightly at the edges add 1/4 cup hot cocoa mix for 1 serving (or 1/2 cup mix for 2 servings). Cook and whisk constantly bringing to a gentle simmer. Let simmer about 20 seconds while whisking.
  • Pour into a mug, let it cool slightly before serving. Top as desired (great choices are whipped cream or marshmallows).

Notes

  • Tip: If preparing this for someone who may prefer a milder chocolate flavor you can use 3 Tbsp mix instead of 1/4 cup. For darker flavor include a few extra tablespoons of cocoa powder in the mix.
  • Nutrition information is just for 1/4 cup mix. Additional calories will be added based on the milk used to prepare it.
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Amount Per Serving
Calories 190 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 3g
Cholesterol 2mg1%
Sodium 32mg1%
Potassium 277mg8%
Carbohydrates 35g12%
Fiber 5g21%
Sugar 24g27%
Protein 4g8%
Vitamin A 15IU0%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 43mg4%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.