Rich Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
This homemade hot Chocolate mix is a quick and easy way to make a cup of warm, rich winter drink and tastes just like a real hot chocolate. It cost less when it is homemade from scratch and makes a great holiday gift for the cocoa lovers in your life.
My family yearn for a good hot chocolate drink in wintertime. The best tasting hot chocolate is always made from scratch by melting the chocolate in hot milk in a pan simmering on the stove. But that takes time and effort, and sometimes you need that hot drink fast!
So it’s a good idea to keep this pre-made hot cocoa mix handy during the winter, especially for the holidays. Warm up with a homemade hot chocolate mix this winter with this easy recipe and sip by the fire.
Cost-Effective homemade hot chocolate mix
Everyone loves hot chocolate, but it can be expensive to constantly buy the store-bought hot cocoa mix variety. This homemade hot chocolate mix recipe is;
- affordable
- non-toxic
- shelf-stable
- control the amount of sugar for your preference
- makes a perfect holiday gift
- easy to make–made in a pinch with a food processor
- tastes rich and yummy–much better than the store-bought
List of ingredients
- Cocoa powder–I recommend using dutch cocoa powder. It is less acidic than natural cocoa powder, and I found it makes a more pleasant hot cocoa mix. It also makes your drink darker, which is visually more pleasing to me.
- Bitter-sweet chocolate–adds richness and depth to the flavor
- Powdered milk–to provide rich and creamy taste. You can use either whole milk powder or non-fat milk powder depending on your preference.
- granulated sugar–adjust the sweetness according to your preference
- cornstarch–to keep the mix dry for longer storage
Real hot chocolate taste
Since cocoa powder doesn’t have cocoa butter, it contains almost no fat. So cocoa powder does not make for a rich and creamy drink by itself.
The cacao butter content in the chocolate bar, however, makes the hot chocolate mix richer and deeper. I use bittersweet chocolate bar for this recipe.
Bittersweet chocolate contains 60-70% cacao and has less sugar, where semisweet chocolate has 30-40% cacao. You can use either one, depending on your personal preference. I prefer bittersweet for its deeper flavor.
How to make homemade hot chocolate mix
Making homemade hot chocolate mix is super simple when you use a food processor.
Step 1: Combine the powdered milk, dutch cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate pieces, cornstarch and salt in a food processor. Pulse the ingredients in the food processor until the chocolate is finely ground.
Step 2: You might want to do this in batches if your processor is not big enough to hold all the ingredients at once. If so, whisk all ingredients together in a large bowl first, then work in two to three batches in the food processor.
How to make hot chocolate using the homemade mix
Depending on the richness and creaminess you desire, all you need to do is to add hot water or milk to the mix.
The recommended ratio for a cup of hot chocolate is;
- 3 tablespoon of hot chocolate mix + 1 cup(16 oz) of hot water or milk
Put hot cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup of hot water or milk (milk makes it richer and creamier). If desired, top with whipped cream or miniature marshmallows, or spices, as you desire.
Extra flavors to add in your chocolate
To make your cup of chocolate more gourmet, add a touch of your favorite spices. A dash of cinnamon (my favorite), cardamom, nutmeg, cayenne, and even ginger will bring a warmth to your beverage and make it even more tasty.
Other additions to top up your hot chocolate are:
- marshmallow
- whipped cream
- candy cane (Use it to stir your chocolate mix. It will melt as you stir and adds peppermint flavor)
- crushed candy cane
- Mini chocolate chips – makes your hot chocolate even richer
Recipe FAQs
Water vs Milk
If you prefer slightly thinner hot chocolate, use hot water. If you like your drink very rich, creamy, and velvety, adding hot milk will make it right.
What kind of chocolate to use?
I recommend using bittersweet or semisweet chocolate bars from the baking section of your grocery store. Use any of your favorite brands. You can also use chocolate chips if a bar is not available.
What if I don’t have food processor?
The food processor will grind the chocolate into powder. If a food processor is not available, a heavy duty blender will work, too.
How long does this homemade chocolate mix last?
Store the mix in an airtight container always. It can stay in the freezer for up to 6 months, and about 2-3 weeks at room temperature in the pantry. Keep it in a cool, dark place out of direct sunlight.
Other holiday drinks
Here a few of my favorite holiday drink recipes. Make your own drinks for the holidays or anytime you want to make a decadent chocolaty treat for your family and friends.
- Korean Cinnamon Ginger Punch (Sujeonggwa)
- Hot Chocolate on a Stick
- Harvest Punch (Korean Cold Remedy Drink)
- Korean Watermelon Punch (Subak Hwachae)
Rich Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Ingredients
- 1 cup dutch cocoa powder
- 1 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 cup dry milk powder
- 8 oz bittersweet chocolate bar (60-70% cacao), broken into pieces
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
Equipment
Instructions
- Put all the ingredients in a food processor and process until the chocolate is finely ground and everything is turn into powder, about 60 seconds.
- You might want to do this in batches if your processor is not big enough to hold all the ingredients at once. If so, whisk all ingredients together in a large bowl first, then work in two to three batches in the food processor.
- To make hot chocolate, put 3 tablespoon of hot cocoa mix in a mug and stir in 1 cup of hot water or milk (milk makes it richer and creamier). Top with whipped cream or miniature marshmallows, or spices, as you desire.
Hello. Why would you need to add cornstarch to the mix? That seems like an odd ingredient. Thanks!
Hi Laura
The cornstarch will keep the hot chocolate mix dry so that it doesn’t clump up. Hope this helps. Thanks.
Just a note, in Step 1 above there is no mention of the chocolate chunks.
I’ve never made homemade hot chocolate mix. It’s easier to just give the kids a packet and pour hot water. But decided to make your recipe. the kids have been asking for hot chocolate as dessert after dinner. a nice way to end the night. your hot chocolate is very, very nice. creamy and chocolatey. less sugar which is better so you can taste the chocolate. I did take a lazier routed because I didn’t have a large food processor. I used a powdered valrhona chocolate and dutch cocoa but followed the recipe exactly. I need to just break down and purchase a large processor. I only have a small one I use for garlic. Thank you now I have a large supply of mix that may last a week? probably not.
So glad to hear that you liked this recipe. My batch is already running out quickly in my household. I like the idea of powdered valhona chocolate. Thanks for the comment.
This looks terrific! I was out raking leaves yesterday in freezing weather, and could certainly have used this to warm up. 🙂 Good stuff — thanks.