This homemade hot chocolate mix {or hot cocoa… is there a difference?} can be whipped up in 5 minutes and enjoyed all winter long. There is even a dairy-free option that tastes just as amazing!
Every winter we keep a big batch of this powdered hot chocolate mix ready to go. In our house, kids are welcome to a cup of hot cocoa, apple cider, or tea any day they have to milk the cow. This provides a tasty way to warm up and a little recognition for helping out.
Can you make hot chocolate mix without dairy?
Dairy-free? Don’t worry, this recipe is easily made without any dairy. Just swap out the whole milk powder for powdered coconut milk and make sure you use dairy-free white chocolate. Serve with your dairy-free milk of choice. We really like mixing the powder into hot vanilla almond milk!
How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix From Scratch
To make this recipe you will need just a few ingredients, but in order to recreate the recipe exactly, you will need the exact ingredients. No skimping. The milk powder must be whole and the cocoa powder must be Dutch-processed or alkalized, which reduces the acidity and gives you a sweeter taste.
If you are gasping at the fact that I use cornstarch, keep in mind that I only suggest using non-GMO cornstarch. I get mine in bulk from Azure Standard. This is an optional ingredient, but in my opinion, makes a noticeable difference.
Feel free to adjust the amount of powdered sugar to make it as sweet as your family enjoys.
In order to make this amazing recipe for hot cocoa mix you will need:
Start by gathering your ingredients and supplies. In the large bowl combine the milk powder, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and cornstarch.
Next, place half of the mixture into a food processor (or do less if your food processor is small; it won’t really matter). If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a blender.
Take the whole bar of white baking chocolate and chop it up a bit so that it will blend more easily in your food processor.
Pulse the mixture until the ingredients are mixed thoroughly and the mixture’s texture is consistent.
Add the mixture back to the bowl and whisk until everything is well combined.
Place your delicious hot chocolate mixture into an airtight jar. It will last for several months, but I can’t say we have ever had it last that long in our home!
To serve the hot chocolate, simply add 1/4 cup of the mix to 8 oz. of hot milk. Yes, you can use water, but honestly, the milk makes it 10x better.
This hot cocoa mix also works wonderfully as a gift. Just package the mix in quart-size mason jars, add a little fabric and twine to the top, a tag with serving directions, and it’s ready to go. You could also throw in some marshmallows or pair it with some cute seasonal coffee mugs for an easy gift basket that anyone would love.
The Best From Scratch Hot Chocolate Mix {dairy free option}
This hot chocolate mix is easy to make and tastes even better than the store-bought packets, without any questionable ingredients. Need to make it dairy-free? There is an option for that as well!
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole milk powder
- 1 bar of white baking chocolate (quality matters here!)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 1/2 cups Dutch-processed (or alkalized) cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 3 tsp. cornstarch (optional, but helps make it creamy)
- a food processor or blender
- an airtight container for storage
- a large mixing bowl
Instructions
- In a large bowl mix together the milk powder, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, salt, and cornstarch.
- Put half of the mixture into a food processor or blender (or less if your food processor is small).
- Chop up a whole bar of white baking chocolate and add it to the food processor.
- Pulse until mixed thoroughly.
- Add the mixture back to the bowl. Mix well.
- Store in an airtight jar.
- To serve: Add 1/4 cup of the mix to 8 oz. of hot milk (yes, milk makes it much better than water!)
Notes
Dairy-free option - To make this without any dairy, substitute coconut milk powder for the powdered milk. Then, ensure that your white baking chocolate doesn't contain dairy. When serving, mix into your favorite dairy-free milk (we like almond milk, but coconut or simply water works too.)
