Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Ditch the storebought hot chocolate mix! This super easy homemade hot chocolate mix is rich, creamy, and makes some of the best hot chocolate ever!
I can honestly say that this homemade mix is easily as good or better than the kind I buy at the store for my own personal enjoyment.
I think the secret is the addition of white chocolate, of which I’m not a huge fan on it’s own, if I’m being honest.
The Reason White Chocolate Works
But white chocolate works in this homemade hot chocolate mix, because when finely ground with the other ingredients, it adds a fantastic creaminess to the hot chocolate.
The Dry Mix is Easy to Make
Making this homemade hot chocolate mix is as easy as throwing everything into a food processor and letting it blend until well combined (and the chocolate is finely chopped).
The key is to get the white chocolate processed as finely as possible. It’s hard to do this by hand, so a food processor or high-powered blender will really help speed up the simple process.
How to Make a Cup of Hot Chocolate
Here’s how to use the mix:
Add 1/3 cup of the cocoa mix to a mug and pour in 1 cup of hot milk or almond milk. Whisk until well-combined and the hot chocolate mix is thoroughly dissolved. Top with whipped cream and/or marshmallows.
This mix works best with milk (dairy or non-dairy milk). Water can work in a pinch, but the hot chocolate isn’t nearly as creamy, and it lacks depth and flavor.
This homemade hot chocolate mix, packaged in a jar or cellophane bag, continues to be one of our favorite holiday gifts to give to teachers, neighbors, and friends.
I’ve heard from so many people over the years that it makes the best hot chocolate they’ve ever had!
FAQs for Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Its about 9 ounces of white chocolate.
It makes 20 cups of hot chocolate give or take.
It can stay in the freezer for several months and about 2-3 weeks at room temperature in the pantry.
The food processor is really to grind up the white chocolate into powder, so if you have a blender to grind up the white chocolate, you can just use that.
The Best Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Ingredients
- 3 cups (405 g) dry nonfat or whole milk powder (see note)
- 2 cups (228 g) powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups (128 g) cocoa powder, dutch-process or natural unsweetened (see note)
- 1 ½ cups (255 g) finely chopped white chocolate or white chocolate chips (see note)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Whisk together all ingredients in a large bowl. Working in two (or more) batches, depending on the size of your food processor, pulse the ingredients in a food processor until the chocolate is finely ground. Store the dry mix in an airtight container for up to 3 months. (If your food processor is large enough, ditch using an extra bowl and throw all the ingredients in the food processor at once.)
- To make hot cocoa, put 1/3 cup of the cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup of hot milk or almond milk (water works ok but the hot chocolate isn’t as creamy or flavorful). Top with whipped cream or miniature marshmallows, if desired.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: from Brown Eyed Baker, originally from Cook’s Country
JulieK – I’m not sure because that’s never happened to me. Do you think more vigorous stirring could help dissolve everything in the hot liquid?
I just tried this and really like the flavor. However, we ended up with a tasteless sludge at the bottom of our cups that we think must be the dry milk powder. Any way to keep this from happening!? I used boiling water so it should have dissolved everthing!
This is really good! I think I might try using water next time. I had a good 8 ounces of milk but when I added in the 1/3 cup of mix it was way to rich! even after adding more milk. I think I’ll try using water, less mix and a splash of milk next time. Or just add it to my coffee!!!!
Totally making this and taking it over to the girl I am talking to house on a cold evening.
I also found it to be a bit bitter. I used the whole pkg of wht chocolate. I also used Hershey cocoa. I added more sugar. Maybe that will help. Thanks for the recipe.
Kelli – did you use natural cocoa powder or Dutch-process? It will be less bitter if you use Dutch-process. If it is still too bitter, try adjusting the sugar, although I’ve never had problems with the bitterness.
Thanks for this recipe, I love that I have homemade hot cocoa mix! However, it’s a little bitter for my taste. Is there something I can add to tone down the bitterness a bit? I LOVE all of your recipes, you are my go to when I am menu planning each week.
This is the most wonderful mix I’ve found. I had mixed up a batch of another recipe that called for 1t salt and 2t cornstarch and less cocoa, so I just added the extra cocoa and white chocolate to what I already had – what an amazing difference!!!!!! The first batch was so very bland and watery. I used powdered creamer instead of powdered milk and mixed with hot water. YUM! Thanks for sharing!
I found your mix via Pinterest and just made a batch. It is wonderful! I usually hate mixing hot cocoa with water but this mix is so rich and thick it’s perfect. Thank you so much for sharing, I think it just might get me through the winter. :).
Kimi – I use the Carnation brand of nonfat dry milk usually and Hershey’s cocoa powder. It is natural, unsweetened cocoa powder but you could certainly use dutch process.
Hi Mel,can I ask what brand of nonfat dry milk powder and unsweetened cocoa powder do you used? Is it a dutch process of cocoa powder?
I made my mother’s recipe and it was so expensive that I decided we’d just buy the canned mix when it went on sale; but looking at this recipe, I have all the ingredients on hand so I am going to try it. Thanks for sharing.
Made this today (just a half-recipe) and tried it with my kids when they got home from school. We all LOVED it!! It’s so rich and thick and good! Love the use of white chocolate. My Kitchenaid mini-chopper got everything powdery very well (just took a few batches). I used real mini-white chocolate chips from nutsinbulk.com; the mini size was perfect for this. Love, love, love this; thank you so much!!! Maybe I’ll use it for Christmas gifts for 2012. Kinda wish I had made the full recipe now… lol. Oh, and, I’m excited to have a good use for all of this nonfat dry milk powder sitting around my kitchen! Oh, I added the scraped seeds of 2 vanilla beans to the mixture.
I just found your website through Pinterest and I am in LOVE! Thank you, I look forward to trying this.
Can’t wait to make this! I just wish I had more of the white chocolate/peppermint kisses to use in it…oh well. I know it will be good because ALL your recipes are!
Cute way you can package this as well- clear disposable pastry bags filled with hot cocoa mix, topped with micro-mini marshmallows use a twist tie to secure the pastry bag and tie with a red ribbon- great package topper and looks like a Sundae Cone. Of course don’t forget a tag with directions.
Am anxious to try this mix, since we have hit the frigid winter here in Chicagoland!
Mel… I just made this cocoa mix and had a cup. It’s divine! I’m thinking I will give it to friends for Valentine’s Day. It’s still frigid up here in MN mid-February. Thanks for another great recipe! BTW… my Dad turned me on to your blog 3 or 4 months ago. It is now my go-to spot for recipes. When I make something new and really tasty, my family always asks, “Is this a Mel?” and we have a little laugh, as my response is always YES!! Thanks for all your hard work and Happy New Year!
I got the husband a hot chocolate maker for Christmas and we’ve been trying all different kinds of recipes. Made this one tonight. It was very good. My husband said it was “very European”–reminds him of his mission in Spain. Thank you!!
I’m a coffee girl & typically only indulge in hot chocolate when there’s snow on the ground. Around here (SC), that usually only happens one, maybe two days a year (if that!). It comes & goes so fast we hardly have enough time to make snow cream!! I always buy a box of hot chocolate mix this time of year & enjoy my few cups, but am not the expert or the lover of it like you. However, I have friends & family who could chug it w/ the best & I thought this was a great “happy winter” gift idea for them! Well, I’m buying ingredients for a 2nd batch this week or my friends & family will miss out. We (mostly me) have almost finished our batch. Yep. I may or may not have drooled over mine. Seriously, it’s not even cold here. This stuff is dreamy!! Thanks for another wonderful recipe!!
Add a pinch of cayenne for some kick and an interesting flavor
I made this tonight and it is truly the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had! Rich, creamy, full flavor! Thanks,Mel!
Thanks so much Mel!! I just made this as last minute hostess gift for the holidays and all I can say is Oh-Em-Gee this is WAY better than store bought.
I did try it with water – 3 heaping teaspoons, and it disolves very quickly. Then I added a splash of milk and it came out frothy, creamy and oh so chocolately – just the way I like it!!
I made half of this last night because I did not have enough dry milk…and too bad because I will be making it again! My family loved it with 2% milk. (My mom hates white chocolate and loved this.) Thanks, Mel.
Really, REALLY curious to find out if anyone has tried making it with water instead of milk. We go through a LOT of hot chocolate mix here but we add it to coffee for what I call Focha, or cheap Mocha.
Anybody?
I’m a huge peanut butter fiend and wonder how this recipe would do with the substitution do PBS chips instead of w choc chips.
THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK YOU!!!!! I was trying to find a homemade hot chocolate powder since I am so tired of spending big bucks on Stephens. I, too, drink at least one (giant!) cup a day and I probably add more powder than most. So it’s really expensive! =D Thanks so much, I cannot wait to try it!!!
Erin – I use the food processor on my Bosch mixer but I have a food processor on my wish list (because the one I have is really small) – it is the one recommended by Cook’s Illustrated: the 12-cup Kitchenaid KFP 750. Hope Santa pulls through for you!
Mel, your posts are so fun to read! And I just have to say on a random note- I am so excited to find out what this next little baby will be. It will be so fun for you on Christmas!
Love your pictures on this post!
What type of food processor do you use? I don’t have one yet…. but maybe Santa (er, my husband) will take the hint and bring it for Christmas. Thanks!
This sounds so delicious, Melanie! I love the addition of the white chocolate in this! That little red polka dot bucket is adorable…who wouldn’t love that filled with this yummy cocoa mix for a gift? Merry Christmas to you and your family, Mel! 🙂
Thank you for sharing this! As soon as I can get my hands on some white chocolate, I’ll be making this!
I thought I was the only person who drank hot chocolate on a daily basis! I even have it all summer long 🙂 I am always on the quest for the best hot chocolate. I will be making this one for sure! Thanks Mel!
I made this almost the same second I saw it, and I sware it is the BEST hot chocolate I have ever had. Now I have to share it with everyone I know! Thank you! Your blog is my favorite!
CAN’T WAIT to try this recipe! (Going to the store tomorrow for the ingredients!) My favorite drink at Starbucks is a zebra hot chocolate (add peppermint at Christmas to knock your socks off) and I’ve never seen a homemade version that included the white chocolate until now! I hope I love it equally so I can save some $$ 🙂 We just had your creamy garlic alfredo tonight {Sidenote, Congrats on being pregnant!} for the 1st time and my family is in love! Thank You!
I found your blog today for the first time, have added you to my reader and plan on nosing around abit if you don’t mind. 🙂 The way my family goes through hot chocolate in the winter, we’re definitely trying this mix. Thanks for sharing!
Veronica – I haven’t tried it with water. I’ve been tempted but love it so much with the milk that I don’t want to be disappointed!
Have you tried making this with water?
Thank you for another “best” recipe, one that I was searching for! I got a recipe from my preacher’s wife and was underwhelmed too. There was hardly any chocolate in it so you had to use a ton to get the right flavor in your drink-seriously, you had to fill the cup like half full of mix! So I’m excited to try this one. thanks!
I’m adding this to my freezer cooking class recipes! Thanks, Mel. Merry Christmas
Thank you, Mel, for this recipe! One of my kids has been talking about wanting to give hot cocoa as a mix and this is an ideal solution!
Does anyone else wish they were a teacher to one of Mel’s kids? That is the cutest gift ever, they had to be delighted to receive them! Merry Christmas Mel!!
I needed a hot chocolate recipe! Thanks for sharing this one. It tastes great and you timing on posting it was perfect 🙂
Marian – I use the instant nonfat dry milk in all recipes that call for it (like this one and several roll recipes that I have). It is a really fine powder that you don’t have to blender-ize to make work. Hope that helps!
Christine – it’s actually a little polka dot bucket and I got it on clearance at Hobby Lobby. The cheapest mugs I’ve seen are at the Dollar Store and Walmart.
Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to try it. I’m never sure if the powdered milk in recipes are refering to the instant variety or the non-instant–you know, the kind that you have to make in a blender so the particles don’t clump! Which do you use?
What a great idea! I am bookmarking this for next year! By the way, where did you get those adorable polka dot mugs?
I’ve never heard of adding white chocolate – how intriguing! I’m sad I already gave out all my teacher and neighbor gifts, this would have been a great one. I might just have to try this anyway… you know, just to verify how delicious it is!
I have made this before and it is SO good. Your post is a good reminder to make it again. I hope you and your family have a Merry Christmas!!
I was just thinking last night that I really wished I had a good hot chocolate recipe and this shows up in my e-mail this morning! Thank you, Mel!