Hot Chocolate Recipe

Whip up this homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe to have on hand all season long – quick, easy, delicious, and perfectly gift-able!

This homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe is delicious and perfectly giftable. Get your hot cocoa fix with more of our favorites: Mint Hot Chocolate, Mexican Hot Chocolate or White Chocolate Peppermint Hot Chocolate.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

I love hot chocolate! It is my favorite drink in the fall and winter, but I’ve been known to drink it year-round! It is especially fun and festive around the holidays.

While I often just purchase Hot Chocolate Mix from the store, sometimes it’s fun (and especially tasty) to make a homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe!

This is where you can have some fun, and it’s perfect for sharing – a delicious Christmas gift!

When thinking about holiday gifts for friends, neighbors, and teachers keep this recipe in mind. Divide this DIY Hot Chocolate Mix into individual portions and pair them with a holiday mug or pour a large amount into a mason jar.

In either case, be sure to include instructions. For extra fun, add candy canes, cinnamon sticks, or marshmallows!

How to make hot chocolate

This makes the BEST Hot Chocolate, you’re going to love it!

COMBINE. In a large bowl, sift powdered sugar, cocoa powder, powdered milk (or instant nonfat dry milk), and ¼ teaspoon of salt together. Mix to combine well.

STORE. Pour into storage containers and add mini marshmallows, if desired. Keep in a sealed container at room temperature for up to 6 months.

MAKE COCOA. To make cocoa, mix ¼ cup hot cocoa mix with ¾ cup warm milk.

Ingredient Tips

Powdered milk. Find whole milk powder or non-fat dry milk powder in the baking aisle at the grocery store. Note that some powdered milk will have a strange aftertaste which will be present in the hot chocolate.

Morning Moo, Judee’s, Bob’s Red Mill, or Carnation all make pretty good powdered milk. 

Cocoa powder. To make this best Hot Chocolate Recipe, use natural baking cocoa, cacao powder, or dutch processed cocoa. Do not use chocolate milk mix or hot chocolate powder.

The cocoa powder can sometimes clump together if it is stored for too long, so be sure to sift it so it’s nice and smooth. 

Powdered sugar is the same as confectioners sugar. In a pinch, use granulated sugar, but it won’t be as smooth or sweet. Sift the powdered sugar to eliminate any clumps.

Milk or water. For a creamy mug of hot chocolate, I suggest using hot whole milk. The higher the fat content, the creamier the drink will be.

However, since the Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix contains dry milk powder, easily use hot water. 

• Use hot whole milk to skim
• Use hot unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk
• Use hot water

Flavor additions 

MIX it up (literally)!! Here are a few ideas:

• Stir in mint, peppermint, vanilla, or almond extract (not essential oil)
• Add spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, or cayenne pepper
• Use flavored coffee creamer
• Stir the hot chocolate with cinnamon sticks or candy canes
• Top with mini marshmallows or Whipped Cream
• Mix in a few white chocolate chips

GIFTING + STORING Info

Be sure to check out our Hot Chocolate Gift Idea that is perfect for neighbors, family and friends for the holidays.

Heat & keep warm. There are many ways to heat up milk or water to make this homemade Hot Chocolate recipe. The microwave is easiest for small amounts.

Use a saucepan on the stove, a crock pot, or a hot cocoa maker for larger amounts. The ideal temperature for hot drinks is between 160-185°F.

STORE all of the Hot Chocolate Mix in one large airtight container. It will keep in the pantry or cupboard for at least 6 months.

FREEZE. Store it in the freezer for a year or more.

Keep it for several years in an airtight food-grade container with a couple of oxygen packets.  

For some tasty cookies to dip:

• Christmas Cookie Bars
• Eggnog Cookies
• Peppermint Sugar Cookies
• Soft Peanut Butter Cookies
• Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

More Collections: Christmas Drink Recipes