Ultimate Creamy, Big Batch Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix (Customizable & Gift-Ready)
Whip up this easy, no-cook recipe for rich and creamy homemade hot cocoa mix. This big batch recipe uses simple pantry staples, tastes better than store-bought, and is perfect for gifting during the holidays or keeping on hand for cozy winter beverages.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: About 10 cups of mix (approximately 30 servings)
- Category: Beverage
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 cups powdered milk (optional, see notes)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch-process)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional, for deeper flavor)
Instructions
- Gather all your dry ingredients: powdered milk (if using), sugar, cocoa powder, salt, cinnamon, and espresso powder.
- Place all ingredients into a very large bowl.
- Use a whisk to thoroughly combine all the components. Whisk for at least two minutes to ensure the cocoa powder is fully incorporated and there are no lumps. This step is important for a smooth mix.
- If you are making a very large batch, you can pulse the ingredients briefly in a food processor to ensure maximum smoothness, but be careful not to over-process.
- Transfer the finished hot cocoa mix to clean, airtight containers. This mix stores well in the pantry for several months.
- To serve, mix 1/3 cup of the dry mix with 1 cup of hot milk or hot water. Stir well until completely dissolved. Adjust sweetness or chocolate intensity to your preference.
Notes
- For a richer, creamier result, use whole milk when preparing the drink. For a dairy-free option, use water or your favorite non-dairy milk.
- If you prefer a hot cocoa mix without powdered milk, simply omit the 6 cups of powdered milk and increase the cocoa powder by 1 cup and the sugar by 1 cup to maintain volume and flavor balance.
- This mix makes an excellent chocolate gift in a jar. Layer the mix in decorative jars and top with mini marshmallows or chocolate chips for a thoughtful presentation.
- You can customize the flavor by adding different extracts (like peppermint extract) to individual servings when preparing the drink, rather than mixing them into the bulk powder.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/3 cup dry mix
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 85
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Unsaturated Fat: 1
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 5
Find it online: https://flavorvista.com/easy-big-batch-hot-cocoa-mix-recipe/