A jar of homemade hot cocoa mix is one of the best gifts you can make: inexpensive, quick, and genuinely useful on a cold night. The base recipe takes ten minutes. Add a little natural flavor and a pretty tag, and you have a gift that feels far more special than store-bought packets.
This recipe makes about 5 cups of mix, enough for 3 to 4 pint jars or about 20 servings.
You Will Need
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-process for a darker, smoother cup)
- 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
- Your choice of natural flavor (see below)
- Clean, dry jars with lids, plus ribbon and tags
Instructions
1. Sift the base.
Sift the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, milk powder, and salt into a large bowl and whisk well. Sifting prevents cocoa lumps.
2. Add flavor the right way.
Liquid flavors can clump a dry mix, so flavor the sugar first. Put 1/2 cup of the powdered sugar in a small bowl, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of natural flavor, and rub it in with your fingertips until it looks like damp sand. Spread it on a plate and let it dry for an hour, then break up any lumps and whisk it into the rest of the mix.
3. Stir in extras.
Fold in the chocolate chips, if using.
4. Jar it up.
Spoon the mix into clean, completely dry jars and seal tightly. Add a tag with the flavor, the date, and the serving instructions below.
To serve: Stir 3 to 4 tablespoons of mix into 1 cup of hot milk or water until dissolved.
Six Flavor Twists
- Double chocolate: Natural Dark Chocolate Type Flavor deepens the cocoa for true chocolate lovers.
- Salted caramel: Natural Buttery Caramel Type Flavor plus an extra pinch of salt.
- Hazelnut: Natural Hazelnut Type Flavor for a chocolate-hazelnut spread taste.
- Mocha: Natural Coffee Flavor for a coffeehouse cup.
- Amaretto: Natural Amaretto Type Flavor for a sweet almond note without the liqueur.
- Vanilla bean: Natural Vanilla Type Flavor for a creamy, classic cup.
Want to make a set? The Sugary Treats Flavor Bundle includes vanilla, rum, dark chocolate, buttery caramel, and brown sugar flavors, and The Nuts Flavor Bundle covers almond, hazelnut, peanut, amaretto, and coconut cream.
Gift Jar Ideas
- Layer the mix with a band of mini marshmallows on top, sealed in a small bag so they stay fresh.
- Tie on a candy cane or a cinnamon stick for stirring.
- Pair a jar with a mug for a teacher, neighbor, or coworker gift.
From the eScential Team
Every natural flavor we sell has a spec sheet and SDS on its product page, and our flavors are produced, handled and stored in a GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative) certified facility. Here is what the spec sheets say about the flavors in this post, with our current prices:
- Natural Dark Chocolate Type Flavor: starting rate 0.2 to 0.3% of the recipe weight, water soluble (ingredients: glycerin, ethyl alcohol, natural flavor); 0.5 oz $15.00, 1 lb $59.50, 1 gallon $340.00.
- Natural Buttery Caramel Type Flavor: starting rate 0.2 to 0.3% of the recipe weight, water soluble (ingredients: propylene glycol, natural flavor, water, glycerin, ethyl alcohol); 0.5 oz $15.00, 1 lb $58.00, 1 gallon $252.00.
- Natural Hazelnut Type Flavor (Non-Allergen): starting rate 0.2 to 0.3% of the recipe weight, water soluble (ingredients: water, ethyl alcohol, natural flavor, caramel color); 0.5 oz $15.00, 1 lb $58.25, 1 gallon $232.00.
- Natural Coffee Flavor: starting rate 0.2 to 0.3% of the recipe weight, water soluble (ingredients: propylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, water, natural flavor, coffee extractive); 0.5 oz $15.00, 1 lb $58.25, 1 gallon $238.40.
- Natural Amaretto Type Flavor: starting rate 0.2 to 0.3% of the recipe weight, water soluble (ingredients: ethyl alcohol, water, natural flavor); 0.5 oz $15.00, 1 lb $60.75, 1 gallon $285.00.
- Natural Vanilla Type Flavor: starting rate 0.2 to 0.3% of the recipe weight, water soluble (ingredients: glycerin, ethyl alcohol, water, natural flavor); 0.5 oz $15.00, 1 lb $59.25, 1 gallon $360.00.
All six list 0.2 to 0.3% of the recipe weight as a starting point. A 5 cup batch of this mix weighs roughly 640 g, so the spec sheets point to about 1.3 to 1.9 g of flavor, a little under 1/2 teaspoon. Start at the low end of this recipe, taste a mug, and add more only if you want a stronger flavor. Several of these flavors are alcohol based, which is one more reason to let the flavored sugar dry fully before you jar it.
A Note on Safety
Our natural flavors are food-grade flavorings for culinary use in normal recipe amounts. Measure them rather than pouring freely, and keep them sealed in a cool, dark place out of reach of children. This mix contains milk, and chocolate chips may contain other allergens, so list every ingredient on your gift tag. Always check product labels and ask about nut and dairy allergies before giving food gifts. Only use products labeled for food in anything you eat or drink.
Share the Warmth
A homemade cocoa jar says "I thought of you" better than almost any gift. Pick a flavor from our natural flavors, mix a batch, and start tying ribbons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add liquid flavor to a dry cocoa mix?
Rub the flavor into a portion of the powdered sugar, let it dry for an hour, then break it up and mix it in. This keeps the mix from clumping.
How long does homemade hot cocoa mix last?
Stored in an airtight jar in a cool, dry place, it keeps for about 6 months. Keep moisture out to prevent clumping.
Can I make it with water instead of milk?
Yes. The dry milk powder makes it creamy even with hot water, though hot milk makes an even richer cup.
How much mix goes in one mug?
Use 3 to 4 tablespoons per cup of hot milk or water, and adjust to taste.
Can I use cocoa powder that is not Dutch-process?
Yes. Natural cocoa gives a lighter, slightly fruitier cup, while Dutch-process is darker and smoother.