Craft a delicious and comforting hot cocoa mix with this simple big batch recipe—perfect for cozy winter days!
Introduction
This easy homemade hot cocoa mix is a powdery blend made with sugar, cocoa powder, and powdered milk, becoming your go-to mix for warming up with hot water or milk. It’s worth keeping on hand for the chilly months ahead. Don’t forget to check out our stovetop Hot Chocolate recipe as well!
Nothing soothes the soul like a mug of rich hot cocoa, especially in the winter. Plus, it’s a beverage that people of all ages can enjoy. When you make your own hot cocoa mix—like this one inspired by Alton Brown—you’ll find it tastes even better than store-bought versions! Additionally, you’ll know exactly what’s going into the mix, with no added preservatives.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Sugar: Use confectioners’ sugar (also known as icing sugar or powdered sugar) in this homemade hot cocoa mix. It dissolves much easier than coarser types of sugar, ensuring a smooth drink.
Cocoa Powder: I prefer Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a slightly darker color and smoother chocolate flavor in my hot cocoa mix. However, you can use regular unsweetened cocoa powder if that’s what you have on hand.
Powdered Milk: Powdered milk, also known as evaporated milk, milk powder, or dry milk, has a longer shelf life compared to liquid milk, making it ideal for this hot cocoa mix recipe.
Cornstarch: Adding cornstarch to the cocoa mix gives your hot cocoa a creamier consistency.
Salt: Don’t skip the salt! It enhances the sweetness of the mix while bringing out more of the chocolate flavor.
How Much Does the Mix Make?
This big batch hot cocoa mix yields about 4½ cups of powder. The number of servings depends on the size of your mug and how chocolatey you like your cocoa. I recommend starting with ¼ cup to ½ cup of the mix per serving. Using ¼ cup of hot cocoa mix per cup of hot water or hot milk will give you enough mix to make approximately 18 cups of delicious hot cocoa.
Can I Add Milk to Hot Cocoa Mix?
Absolutely! In fact, some people prefer adding hot milk to their homemade hot cocoa mix for an even creamier beverage. Both hot water and hot milk are excellent options. For a twist, try adding hot coffee or even hot chocolate milk as alternatives.
What Is the Difference Between Hot Cocoa and Hot Chocolate?
While both hot cocoa and hot chocolate are popular drinks during cold weather, there’s a slight difference between the two. Hot cocoa is typically made from a powdery mix blended with hot water or milk. On the other hand, hot chocolate is generally made by melting real chocolate in hot liquid. So, most store-bought mixes are for hot cocoa. Of course, you can add marshmallows to either for an extra treat.
How to Store Hot Cocoa Mix
Since this is a big batch of hot cocoa mix, you’ll want to store it properly so it’s ready whenever you crave a warm mug of cocoa. Keep the mix in an airtight container and store it in a cool, dry place. It can last for up to one year when stored correctly. Note that the flavor may diminish slightly over time, so it’s best enjoyed within that period.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 cup (118 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 2½ cups (170 g) powdered milk
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For Serving
- Mini marshmallows (optional)
- Hot water or milk
Instructions
Prepare the Hot Cocoa Mix:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, powdered milk, cornstarch, and kosher salt. Whisk the ingredients together until thoroughly combined.
Store the mixture in an airtight container for up to one year. This recipe makes about 4½ cups of hot cocoa mix, enough for approximately 18 cups of hot cocoa.
Making a Cup of Hot Cocoa:
When you’re ready to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa:
Use about ¼ cup of the hot cocoa mix per 1 cup of hot water or hot milk. Adjust the amount of mix to your taste preference.
If desired, add ¼ cup of mini marshmallows on top of the powder.
Pour hot liquid over the cocoa mix, stirring until the powder has fully dissolved.
Enjoy your homemade hot cocoa!
