Desserts & Sweets
Rich & Creamy Hot Cocoa Mix
This rich and creamy hot cocoa mix is simple to make, easy to keep on hand, and perfect for homemade gifts.
The dry mix fits in a quart-size mason jar and only needs hot water when you’re ready for a mug. It makes a smooth, chocolatey cocoa with balanced sweetness, so it tastes good on its own but still leaves room for marshmallows, whipped cream, peppermint, or extra chocolate.
An Easy Homemade Gift
It’s an easy homemade gift for Christmas, teachers, neighbors, friends, or anyone who enjoys a warm cup of cocoa.
Dry Mix Ingredients
- 1½ cups Carnation instant nonfat dry milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ⅔ cup Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Jar Assembly
Combine the dry milk powder and salt in a small bowl. Pour the milk powder mixture into the bottom of a clean, completely dry quart-size mason jar. Carefully layer the powdered sugar over the milk powder, leveling the layer. Add the Dutch-process cocoa powder as the top layer. Seal tightly and store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
How to Make One Mug
Thoroughly shake or stir the dry mix to distribute all ingredients evenly. Add ⅓ cup hot cocoa mix to a mug.
Stir Until Smooth
Pour in a small amount of hot water and stir to create a smooth paste. Gradually add the remaining hot water, using 8 ounces total, stirring until smooth and creamy. Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Optional Serving Ideas
- Mini marshmallows
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate sprinkles
- Additional milk chocolate for extra richness
- Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Square stirred into the hot cocoa
- Crushed peppermint candy for a festive holiday version
Gift Giving
Fill a quart-size mason jar with the dry ingredients and attach a gift tag with the serving instructions. Add a ribbon, twine, or fabric topper for a simple homemade gift. This rich and creamy hot cocoa mix makes a thoughtful homemade gift for Christmas, teachers, neighbors, friends, or anyone who enjoys a warm cup of chocolate. The classic cocoa base is delicious on its own and easy to customize with marshmallows, peppermint, whipped cream, or extra chocolate.
Printable Recipe Card
Rich & Creamy Hot Cocoa Mix
A rich and creamy dry hot cocoa mix for a quart-size mason jar, with jar assembly and directions for one mug.
Prep: 10 minutes • Jar: 1 quart (32 oz) • Serving: ⅓ cup dry mix per 8 oz hot water
Ingredients
- 1½ cups Carnation instant nonfat dry milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ⅔ cup Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
Yield: Approximately 9–10 servings
Instructions
- 1Combine the dry milk powder and salt in a small bowl.
- 2Pour the milk powder mixture into the bottom of a clean, completely dry quart-size mason jar.
- 3Carefully layer the powdered sugar over the milk powder, leveling the layer.
- 4Add the Dutch-process cocoa powder as the top layer.
- 5Seal tightly and store in a cool, dry place until ready to use.
- 6Thoroughly shake or stir the dry mix to distribute all ingredients evenly.
- 7Add ⅓ cup hot cocoa mix to a mug.
- 8Pour in a small amount of hot water and stir to create a smooth paste.
- 9Gradually add the remaining hot water, using 8 ounces total, stirring until smooth and creamy.
- 10Serve warm with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- This recipe was developed and kitchen-tested using Carnation instant nonfat dry milk and Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder.
- The mix creates a smooth, chocolatey hot cocoa using only hot water, with balanced sweetness that leaves room for additional toppings.
- Both regular-mouth and wide-mouth quart mason jars accommodate the dry ingredients.
- For the best presentation, layer the ingredients in the jar and mix thoroughly before preparing individual servings.
- Store in a tightly sealed jar in a cool, dry place, following the shortest shelf life of the ingredients used.
- For gift giving, a conservative best-quality target is 2–3 months.
