This DIY Hot Cocoa Mix recipe is not only incredibly easy to make, but it’s also the perfect holiday gift for loved ones. With customizable options for dairy-free, vegan, low sugar, and even high-protein variations, you can whip up a mix that fits everyone on your list. Each mug yields the most delicious, rich and creamy hot chocolate that’s best topped with homemade marshmallows for the coziest winter experience!
The second the winter air starts rolling in, I immediately declare it hot cocoa season. I am quite committed to my (nearly) daily hot cocoa ritual. In my opinion, there’s no better night cap than a creamy, warm, rich, chocolate-y beverage. But, I will say, it’s kind of a pain to take out all the ingredients and measuring utensils every night so I wanted to create a DIY hot cocoa mix recipe that I could have on hand in my pantry at all times!
What could’ve been a simple recipe testing process, turned into a whole scientific procedure because I wanted to try alllll sorts of variations! That way if you prefer your hot cocoa to be refined sugar free, dairy free or high protein….you’ve got options. Selfishly, I did enjoy the fact that I got to drink 5 cups of hot cocoa hehe.
Not only is this the perfect little sweet treat to prep for yourself during the winter, but it also makes the perfect holiday gift for friends and family! Package it up in a cute glass container, pair it alongside some homemade marshmallows, add a tag and some ribbon and you’re done! I mean who wouldn’t love a gift like this!? Delicious, heartfelt and way better than the store-bought kinds.
Why You’ll Love this DIY Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe
- It’s easy to make with only a handful of simple ingredients.
- This hot cocoa mix is perfectly rich and indulgent, without tasting overly sweet.
- It lasts for several months, so it’s the perfect thing to prep and have on hand!
- This is a great holiday gift idea for friends and family.
- It can easily be modified to be dairy free/vegan, refined sugar free, low sugar and/or high protein.
What You Need to Make this DIY Hot Chocolate Mix
- Whole Milk Powder: To keep this shelf-stable, we’re going to create a hot cocoa mix made with powdered milk. That way, all you have to do is add water when you’re ready to enjoy! But, if you don’t have this or want to make it dairy free, you can omit it and instead add the hot cocoa mix to some milk (non-dairy if needed).
- Cocoa Powder: Use a high quality cocoa powder for the best results! I like Ghirardelli or Guittard brands.
- Cane Sugar: This hot cocoa mix is sweetened with some cane sugar, but you can also substitute coconut sugar or monkfruit – see the below section and recipe card notes for further info.
- Unflavored Collagen Peptides: This is an optional ingredient and doesn’t affect the flavor or texture of the hot cocoa, but it does boost the protein! Feel free to omit it for a vegetarian/vegan option.
- Arrowroot Starch: Arrowroot starch, or cornstarch, just helps to prevent clumping and caking when the hot cocoa mix is being stored.
- Kosher Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the flavors of the hot cocoa.
How To Make Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Stir together Hot Cocoa Mix:
First, add all ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk until combined. If you’re making this as a gift, I like the look of layering the chocolate chunks on top of the hot cocoa mix, however it’s less practical this way – you do you! Place DIY hot cocoa mix into an airtight container.
Prepare Hot Cocoa with Water:
For a perfectly rich cup of hot cocoa, add about 6 tbsp of the mix and 1 cup of water to a small pot. I also recommend adding a splash of vanilla extract if you have it. Bring it to medium heat and whisk almost constantly until the mixture just reaches a boil (about 4 minutes). Feel free to adjust the amount of mix and or/water to your taste.
Top and Enjoy:
Optionally, top with some homemade marshmallows (made without corn syrup) or some whipped cream, more chocolate chips or crushed candy canes…the options are endless. Enjoy!
Packaging & Gifting DIY Hot Cocoa Mix:
This DIY Hot Cocoa Mix is the perfect easy, last-minute holiday gift idea! Package it up in cute glass containers (that your friends & family can reuse later on) and add some ribbon with a little tag that includes instructions for how to prepare it. Bonus points if you serve it alongside some delicious toppings like these homemade marshmallows (made without corn syrup). This is always a crowd-pleaser and it’s so easy to customize it to the person’s liking!
DIY Hot Cocoa Mix Variations:
I tested several variations of this hot chocolate mix so that you could adjust it to your preference and dietary needs!
- Refined Sugar Free: To make this hot cocoa mix refined sugar free, you’ll simply swap the cane sugar for an equal amount of coconut sugar. Also, be sure to use a refined sugar free dark chocolate bar such as Hu.
- Low Sugar: If you need to make this lower in sugar and more diabetic friendly, you can substitute the cane sugar for an equal amount of monkfruit sweetener or similar zero-calorie sweetener. You may also omit the dark chocolate chunks, or use a low sugar brand like Lilly’s.
- Dairy Free/Vegan: To make this hot cocoa mix dairy free and vegan friendly, omit the whole milk powder and collagen, and make sure to use a dairy free chocolate like Hu. Prepare the hot cocoa mix with 1 cup of your favorite non-dairy milk.
- High-Protein: To boost the protein content, add in 1/4 cup of unflavored collagen peptides, which don’t change the flavor or the consistency of your hot cocoa.
How Should I Store this DIY Hot Cocoa Mix?
This DIY Hot Cocoa Mix should be stored in an airtight container – I love Weck jars for this! Then, keep it in a cool, dry place and it should last for at least 3 months.
Find the full recipe below. As always, please let me know if you tried it by commenting below or tagging me on Instagram, @munchinwithmaddie_.
Looking for More Dessert Recipes?
- Gingerbread Scones (Vegan & Gluten Free)
- Easy Hot Chocolate Pie
- Gluten Free Pumpkin Muffins (High Protein)
- Paleo Brownies with Sweet Potato and Tahini
- Gluten Free Monster Cookies
DIY Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe
Equipment
- medium bowl
- whisk
- airtight container or jar
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk powder (100g), optional*
- ½ cup cocoa powder (40g)**
- ½ cup cane sugar (100g), see notes for subs***
- ½ tbsp arrowroot starch or cornstarch
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 2 oz dark chocolate finely chopped (optional but encouraged)
Optional Add-In:
- ¼ cup unflavored collagen peptides (20g)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a medium bowl and whisk until combined. If you're making this as a gift, I like the look of layering the chocolate chunks on top of the hot cocoa mix, however it's less practical this way – you do you! Place DIY hot cocoa mix into an airtight container.1 cup whole milk powder, ½ cup cocoa powder, ½ cup cane sugar, ½ tbsp arrowroot starch, ¼ tsp kosher salt, ¼ cup unflavored collagen peptides, 2 oz dark chocolate
- For the perfect cup of hot cocoa, add about 6 tbsp of the mix and 1 cup of water to a small pot. I also recommend adding a splash of vanilla extract if you have it. Bring it to medium heat and whisk almost constantly until the mixture just reaches a boil (about 4 minutes). Feel free to adjust the amount of mix and or/water to your taste.
- Optionally, top with some homemade marshmallows (made without corn syrup). Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Did you make this recipe?
Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @munchinwithmaddie_ on Instagram and/or hashtag it #munchinwithmaddie.
Really enjoyed this, thanks heaps.