Homemade Hot Chocolate

Mix this simple homemade hot chocolate mix with warm milk for a sweet, cozy cup of hot cocoa made with ingredients you can feel good about.

A cozy evening as a family is not complete without a healthier peanut butter cookie and homemade hot chocolate.

I’ve recreated several of our favorite cookie recipes (Candy Cane Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookies, and Sugar Cookies) to be healthier than their original version.

That’s why I keep this homemade hot chocolate mix in my cabinet for the winter season.

WHY MAKE HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE?

Quite some time ago, I went through my kitchen and ditched everything that contained hydrogenated oils and high fructose corn syrup, two of the top ingredients to avoid! Can you guess what I found on the packets of Swiss Miss in the back of my cabinet?

Aside from much better ingredients, homemade hot chocolate is also:

• Super easy to mix up and stash in the cabinet, giving you the same instant hot chocolate mix you’d buy at the store, but better!
• Made with simple ingredients. You have this all in your kitchen already!
• Frugal. Make a cup of hot cocoa for far less than the cost of a packet.
• It also serves as a quick gift to give to teachers and neighbors when I run low on time!
• Easy to doctor up for the ultimate indulgent treat, or yummy on its own.

HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE MIX INGREDIENTS

Homemade hot chocolate mix has just 3 simple ingredients. Add those to your milk of choice and you’re ready for a hot homemade drink!

• Cocoa Powder. You can use any type of unsweetened cocoa powder. I like this Dutch process cocoa. It’s a dark chocolate and super delicious in hot cocoa!
• Granulated Sugar. I use Turbinado sugar. The larger granules mean I’ve reduced the sugar ever so slightly, and I’m okay with that! It still has plenty of sweetness.
• Salt. It may seem strange to add salt to a sweet drink, but honestly, it balances out the flavor.
• Milk. I don’t add milk to the mix I keep in my pantry, but a cup of warm milk is just what you need for this homemade hot chocolate! You can use dairy-free milk like almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk, if you need.

Psst! Not all salts are made the same! I love Ava Jane’s Kitchen because it doesn’t have microplastics (gross, right?) and it’s SO GOOD! Plus, you can get a free 8oz. bag of sea salt (just pay shipping and handling!).

HOW TO MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE HOMEMADE

Homemade hot cocoa mix is so easy! I can’t believe I used to buy the store-bought packets!

Step 1. Mix the dry ingredients in a mason jar and shake well. You can also whisk the mixture together in a large bowl.

To make a mug of homemade hot cocoa:

Step 1. Measure two heaping tablespoons of hot chocolate mix into a mug and set aside. Reserve the rest of your mix for later (or into other mugs if making hot cocoa for all!).

Step 2. Heat milk in a small saucepan over medium low heat.

Step 3. Pour warmed milk into your mug and stir well. Use a milk frother like this one to make your hot cocoa drink super creamy.

You can also microwave your mug of milk and stir in the homemade hot chocolate mix afterward. I don’t notice a difference in taste when made this way.

Note: For a single serving of the homemade hot chocolate recipe, use 1 Tablespoon of cocoa powder, 2 Tablespoons of sugar, and a pinch of salt with 1 cup of warmed milk.

AMAZING HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE VARIATIONS

Want to take the best hot chocolate recipe to the next level? Try any of these yummy additions:

• Top with Homemade Whipped Cream, chopped chocolate or chocolate shavings, or mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.
• Add a drop of peppermint essential oil or a splash of peppermint extract.
• Add a pinch of sea salt and a teeny splash of Homemade Vanilla Extract. Sprinkle with cinnamon.
• Mix ⅛ teaspoon of vanilla bean powder (pictured) into the homemade hot chocolate mix for even more warm vanilla flavor.
• Drizzle with chocolate sauce or caramel syrup and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
• And a candy cane or some mini marshmallows are always a fun addition!

You can also blend homemade hot chocolate mix with Vanilla Ice Cream and a bit of milk for a frozen hot chocolate – yum!

BEVERAGES AND MACRO TRACKING

Calories in beverages can add up quickly, but you can still make them work with your food goals!

Homemade hot chocolate mix is mostly carbohydrates due to the sugar involved. Once you mix it with milk, you’ll add some protein and fat, depending on the type of milk that you choose. Stick with low-fat or skim milk to keep your fat in check, or make hot cocoa with whole milk for a rich, decadent treat! Just make sure you track it accurately.

You control the amount and quality of the sweetener you use, and you can adjust it to fit with your macros for the day. As your palate adjusts to eating less sugar overall, you may find you need less sweetener in treats like this hot chocolate recipe.

HOMEMADE HOT COCOA RECIPE FAQS

HOMEMADE HOT COCOA MIX FOR GIFTS

The best part is that this homemade hot chocolate recipe makes a GREAT last-minute gift. Not to be cheap, but it costs less than a dollar to make up a hot cocoa mix gift jar. When you start adding up teachers, neighbors, and extended family, the savings are welcome!

• Use 8oz mason jars like these topped with scraps of red fabric, for holiday gifts. Add a gift tag with instructions and voila! Beautiful gift!
• Or you can scoop a single portion of hot chocolate mix into a holiday-themed baggie. Tie it off and place it into a festive mug. Add a ribbon and instructions, and there you go!
• Whether you go the jar route or the mug route, it’s an easy gift for a hostess, the mailman, or anyone else who enjoys hot chocolate!
• If sharing mix as a gift, enclose a note with the following instructions: “Scoop two heaping tablespoons of hot cocoa mix into a mug and fill with one cup of very warm milk. Stir and enjoy!”

MORE HOMEMADE HOLIDAY DRINK RECIPES

• Crock Pot Hot Chocolate
• Pumpkin Spice Apple Cider
• Homemade Peppermint Mocha Latte
• Homemade Eggnog
• Gingerbread Smoothie