The best hot cocoa recipe with powdered milk! This straightforward recipe is ideal for even the littlest chefs. Combining milk powder, cocoa powder, and sugar in just the right ratios, you create a delicious homemade hot chocolate mix. Just add hot water for a perfect cup of homemade hot cocoa!
This hot chocolate mix recipe is now our absolute favorite. You can customize the ingredients in this mix to suit your family’s tastes. It genuinely stands out as the best hot chocolate mix. Crafted with only four ingredients in a mere five minutes, it’s also perfect for making in larger quantities to store for the upcoming cold season.
Imagine cozying up with a homemade hot chocolate on a wintry day—the perfect treat! With chilly months ahead, my kids eagerly anticipate making this cocoa mix, where every ingredient is under our control, ensuring both taste and label scrutiny. It’s tastier and more budget-friendly than store-bought options.
This recipe empowers kids to lead the way, suitable for chefs of any age. They can craft this delightful mix, perfect for gifting in mason jars adorned with bows—a festive, thoughtful present for loved ones. Homemade hot cocoa mixes add warmth and joy to the season, making it a delightful, personalized gift and a delicious treat for the family’s winter gatherings.
How To Make
Mix the ingredients
Add all ingredients to a medium-sized bowl. Blend with a whisk until mixed.
Make hot chocolate
Add 3 tablespoons of the hot chocolate mix to mug. Add 1 cup of hot water or milk. Stir and enjoy!
How to store mix
Pour the hot chocolate mix into a glass jar or container with lid. Cover. Stores for 6-12 months.
What Goes Well With Hot Chocolate?
Other than marshmallows, we can think of a few fun toppings to add to hot chocolate! Our Make-Ahead Whipped Cream is always a kid favorite and elevates the creaminess of the drink as it melts into the cup.
You can consider adding these hot chocolate toppings too:
- sprinkles
- marshmallows
- chocolate chips
- M&Ms
- cinnamon
- chocolate shavings
You can also serve hot chocolate without any toppings, and you won’t hear a single complaint, especially if you serve in a fun kid-friendly mug!
Ingredient Swaps
- Make with whole milk for a creamier and richer option.
- Make with 2%, skim milk or water for a lower-calorie option.
- Use a fork instead of a whisk to mix the ingredients together.
- Store the hot cocoa mix in a mason jar, Ziploc bag or airtight container.
- A single batch makes enough for 20 servings when 3 tablespoons of mix is used per serving. Feel free to double or triple the batch to store in bulk.
Tips & Tricks
- Use a high-quality powdered milk to boost the flavor of the hot chocolate. Pick a low-fat milk powder for a lower-fat option or a whole milk dry powder for a creamier option.
- Use a natural unsweetened cocoa powder for a bitter chocolate flavor.
- Use a Dutch-pressed cocoa powder for a smooth chocolate flavor.
- Switch to a dark cocoa powder for a rich chocolate flavor.
- Pick superfine sugar as it dissolves quickly when mixed with the milk or water. Regular granulated sugar works as well but will likely require a few extra stirs to fully dissolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our hot chocolate mix will store up to a year when sealed properly.
Milk can be heated in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in-between until hot or on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally.
It completely depends on the desired creaminess of the hot chocolate. For creamy hot chocolate, use whole or oat milk. Otherwise, skim, 2% or any other non-dairy milk will result in a less creamy (yet still delicious!) cup.
How To Make Hot Chocolate Packets
As we mentioned, this recipe is super easy to make in bulk. We find it very convenient to store in a large mason jar or airtight container then use a tablespoon to scoop out the mix when desired.
However, you can also separate into individual servings to make DIY packets by pouring 3 tablespoons of the mix into a small Ziploc bag. Your kids can then simply combine the packet with hot milk or water when ready for a cup of hot chocolate!
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- You will use a variety of measuring cups for this recipe – a 1-cup, 1/2 cup and 1/4 cup. Can you find these & place on the counter before you grab the ingredients? Now, set the ingredients by each of the correct measuring cups (powdered milk in front of the 1 cup, cocoa powder in front of the 1/4 cup and the sugars in front of the 1/2 cup). You are officially ready to measure and combine the ingredients!
- Heat the milk or water with the assistance of a kitchen helper. If microwaving the liquid, use a microwave-safe mug. You can always check the bottom of the mug to see if it is microwave safe. Once hot, slowly pour 3 Tablespoons of the mix into the mug and stir carefully. It will be very hot so be careful not to burn your tongue.
- The leftover hot chocolate mix can be stored in a jar with a lid or a bag with a seal. Ask your kitchen helper to write the “best-by” date on the outside of the container using a label or on the bag itself. This will help remind everyone at home when to safely use the mix by.
More Hot Chocolate Recipes:
- Crockpot Hot Cocoa
- Hot Chocolate Bombs
- Valentine’s Day Pink Hot Chocolate
- Mexican Hot Chocolate
- Hot Cocoa Cookies
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Hot Cocoa Recipe with Powdered Milk
Equipment
- glass jar with lid
- tablespoon
Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered milk ✅
- 3/4 cup cocoa powder ✅
- 1/2 cup ultrafine granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
Instructions
- Mix the ingredients. Add all ingredients to a medium-sized bowl. Blend with whisk until mixed.2 cups powdered milk, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, 1/2 cup ultrafine granulated sugar, 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- ⭐️Make hot chocolate. Add 3 tablespoons of the hot chocolate mix to mug. Add 1 cup of hot water or milk. Stir and enjoy!
- How to store mix. Pour the hot chocolate mix into a glass jar or container with lid. Cover. Stores for 6-12 months.
Video
Notes
- Make with whole milk for a creamier and richer option.
- Make with 2%, skim milk or water for a lower calorie option.
- Use a fork instead of a whisk to mix the ingredients together.
- Store the hot cocoa mix in a mason jar, Ziploc bag or airtight container.
- A single batch makes enough for 20 servings when 3 tablespoons of mix is used per serving.
Nutrition
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Then follow us on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe. We love seeing what you come up with!
Missy says
My 8 year old found this recipe and had tomatoes it. We all loved the hot cocoa and have plenty stored for later this winter. Great recipe!
Patty says
First time making homemade hot chocolate. Love this recipe I made with dark cocoa powder and use milk when I make it. Makes it rich in favor but good with hot water too. Thanks for recipe.
Amy says
I made the mix last night to share with all of my students in an outdoor celebration in snowy and cold Vermont. I will be boiling water over a fire. I bet it will be as good (if not better) than the test cup I had this morning.
Jodi Danen, RDN says
This sounds like the absolutely perfect way to enjoy this recipe! Thank you for sharing and cheers!
Maureen says
I double the batch, great recipe
Christie says
Love this recipe! It’s so easy and my kids and husband are crazy about it. We also grind up peppermints or candy canes to flavor it.
Thank you for sharing this with the world! =)
Diane says
I can’t wait to try this recipe at Christmas but was wondering, I noticed you said you could add cinnamon, how much would I add and should I mix it in with the sugar and powered milk or mix it in per cup of chocolate? Thank you.
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Diane! The amount you would add would likely depend on how strong of a cinnamon flavor you’d like. You could add it in by cup by just sprinkling in a little bit or add 1-2 teaspoons to the mixture and stir it in. Good luck and enjoy!
Diane says
I could not find ultra fine sugar. Will regular granulated do?
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Diane! I think regular granulated sugar should work just fine. It might need a little more stirring but that’s all. I hope you enjoy!
Susan Buedel says
Why is powdered sugar included?
Jodi Danen, RDN says
Hi Susan. Good question! We use powdered sugar because it’s more finely ground than regular sugar. It also contains cornstarch which acts as a thickener. I hope you enjoy the recipe!