Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix: The Ultimate Recipe (No Powdered Milk!)

Nothing beats a cup of warm, comforting hot chocolate on a chilly day. This Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix is an incredibly easy recipe that you can prepare in advance and store in your pantry for whenever the craving strikes! Unlike many recipes, this hot cocoa mix doesn’t require dry milk and it has two secret ingredients that elevate it to a whole new level of deliciousness.

One of my greatest pleasures when the temperature drops – especially during a stroll to admire the Christmas lights – is indulging in a steaming mug of hot chocolate. The problem is that I’m quite particular about my hot chocolate. I usually make it at home because most commercial versions simply aren’t creamy enough. And the worst offender is hot chocolate made with water!

On most evenings, I whip up my favorite thick hot chocolate from scratch. However, sometimes it’s a bit too decadent for my liking. Besides, I don’t always feel like chopping chocolate when all I want to do is curl up under a warm blanket with my cat.

That’s precisely where having a jar of this incredible Hot Chocolate Mix becomes a lifesaver! All you need to do is keep a jar of it handy in your pantry and then melt a few tablespoons into warm milk for a quick and satisfying treat.

This hot cocoa mix recipe is inspired by those classic cocoa packets we all enjoyed as kids, but even when prepared with milk, I always found them to be a bit underwhelming. They lacked that rich, creamy, truly chocolatey flavor I was craving.

That’s precisely why I firmly believe that this is the absolute best hot chocolate mix you’ll ever make. It’s all thanks to two special ingredients that are often absent in other homemade hot chocolate recipes. These secret additions add depth and richness that you won’t find anywhere else. Keep reading to discover what makes this mix so special!

And guess what? You don’t even need powdered milk! It’s an ingredient that most people don’t regularly keep on hand. By using whole milk to prepare your hot chocolate, you won’t miss the powdered milk at all.

If you’re feeling extra festive, consider decorating a jar of this mix with a pretty Christmas ribbon and giving it away as a thoughtful homemade gift for the holidays. It’s a present that’s sure to be appreciated by anyone who loves a warm, comforting drink.

Hot Chocolate vs. Hot Cocoa: What’s the Difference?

While the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a subtle difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa.

Hot chocolate is traditionally made with real chocolate that is melted into milk, creating a rich and decadent beverage. On the other hand, hot cocoa is typically made with cocoa powder, sugar, and milk (or sometimes hot water).

My recipe cleverly incorporates both baking chocolate and cocoa powder, blurring the lines between the two. So, feel free to use the terms “hot chocolate” and “hot cocoa” interchangeably when referring to this delicious mix!

Ingredients for the Ultimate Hot Chocolate Mix

Here’s everything you’ll need to create your very own batch of amazing hot chocolate mix without any dry milk:

Cocoa powder: Opt for unsweetened natural cocoa powder. It’s essential to use high-quality cocoa, as cheaper versions can sometimes leave a chalky aftertaste. A good cocoa powder will deliver a deep, rich chocolate flavor.
Semisweet chocolate: Since we’re skipping the powdered milk, melting real chocolate into the mix adds incredible creaminess and enhances the chocolatey flavor of your drink. Choose a good quality semisweet chocolate bar for the best results.
Brown sugar: The molasses in brown sugar lends a subtle caramel flavor that complements the chocolate beautifully. It adds warmth and depth to the overall taste profile.
Granulated sugar: Granulated sugar provides sweetness without overpowering the other flavors. It balances the richness of the chocolate and the caramel notes of the brown sugar.
Salt: A pinch of salt might seem counterintuitive, but it actually works wonders in bringing out the chocolate flavor even more. It enhances the sweetness and adds complexity to the mix.

Why Skip the Powdered Milk?

Most homemade hot cocoa mix recipes call for powdered milk. But let’s be honest – when was the last time you actually bought dry milk?

Since it’s not a commonly stocked pantry ingredient for many people, I decided to omit it from this recipe. As long as you’re making your homemade hot chocolate with milk and not water, you likely won’t even notice the difference. The richness of the whole milk more than compensates for the absence of powdered milk, creating a creamy and satisfying drink.

Making Your Hot Cocoa Mix: It’s Easier Than You Think!

This hot chocolate mix recipe is so incredibly easy to make that it almost doesn’t need instructions! It’s as simple as combining cocoa powder, chopped chocolate, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt.

Ideally, you should toss everything into a food processor to help finely chop the chocolate, ensuring it melts easily and evenly when you’re ready to make your hot chocolate. This step is particularly helpful if you’re using a thicker chocolate bar.

However, if you have excellent knife skills and enjoy a bit of chopping, you can finely chop the chocolate by hand. Once the chocolate is finely chopped, simply whisk all the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined.

To keep your hot chocolate mix fresh and flavorful, store it in an airtight container in your pantry for up to 3 months. This ensures that you’ll have a readily available supply of comforting hot chocolate whenever the mood strikes.

Serving Up the Perfect Cup of Homemade Hot Chocolate

Now that you’ve crafted your delicious hot chocolate mix without powdered milk, how do you transform it into a steaming mug of homemade hot cocoa?

I personally prefer a ratio of 2 tablespoons of hot cocoa mix for every 1/2 cup of whole milk. However, feel free to adjust this ratio to suit your personal taste preferences. If you like a richer, more intense flavor, add a bit more mix. If you prefer a milder taste, use a little less.

To prepare your hot chocolate, heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until it’s warm but not boiling. Then, whisk in your desired amount of cocoa mix and continue whisking until the mix dissolves completely and starts to thicken slightly. This process usually takes about 1 minute.

Once the hot chocolate has thickened to your liking, remove it from the heat and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together even more and prevents you from burning your tongue on the first sip!

Level Up Your Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream!

While I often simply sprinkle a handful of mini marshmallows on top of my hot chocolate and call it a day, you can easily elevate your drink to gourmet status by adding homemade whipped cream. The creamy, fluffy topping adds an extra layer of indulgence that takes your hot chocolate to the next level.

To add even more flair and flavor, consider experimenting with one of these delicious flavored whipped cream recipes:

Peanut Butter Whipped Cream: A delightful combination of peanut butter and whipped cream that adds a nutty, savory sweetness to your hot chocolate.

Chocolate Whipped Cream: Intensify the chocolate flavor of your drink with this decadent chocolate-infused whipped cream.

Strawberry Whipped Cream: Add a touch of fruity sweetness and vibrant color with this delightful strawberry whipped cream.

Maple Whipped Cream: Infuse your hot chocolate with the warm, comforting flavor of maple syrup with this maple-infused whipped cream.

Honey Whipped Cream: Add a touch of natural sweetness and floral aroma with this honey-infused whipped cream.

Cream Cheese Whipped Cream: A tangy and rich cream cheese whipped cream that adds a unique flavor profile to your hot chocolate.

For an even more decadent treat, try pouring your hot chocolate over a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. It’s like a hot chocolate affogato – a delightful combination of warm and cold that’s sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Explore More Hot Chocolate Recipes

Did you enjoy making this delicious hot cocoa mix without dry milk? If so, be sure to check out these other tempting hot chocolate recipes:

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate: A creamy and satisfying blend of peanut butter and chocolate.
S’mores Hot Chocolate: Capture the classic campfire treat in a mug with this s’mores-inspired hot chocolate.
Caramel Hot Chocolate: Indulge in the rich, buttery flavor of caramel with this decadent caramel hot chocolate.
Cheesecake Hot Chocolate: Combine the flavors of cheesecake and hot chocolate for a truly unique and irresistible treat.
Coconut Milk Chocolate: Enjoy the tropical flavors of toasted coconut in this creamy coconut milk hot chocolate.
Raspberry Hot Chocolate: Add a burst of fruity sweetness to your hot chocolate with this delightful raspberry-infused recipe.

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix (Without Powdered Milk)

Yield:
1 cup

Prep Time:
15 minutes

Total Time:
15 minutes

Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix is an easy hot cocoa mix recipe without dry milk you can whip up ahead of time then store in your pantry for those cold winter nights! It’s the best hot chocolate mix you’ll make because of two special ingredients other recipes don’t use.

Ingredients

2 ounces semisweet baking chocolate, finely chopped (use high-quality for best results)
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (use high-quality for best results)
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar (soft and moist, not dry and crumbly)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1/8 teaspoon kosher or sea salt

Instructions

Mix together chocolate, cocoa powder, brown sugar, sugar, and salt.
Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Use 1/4 cup mix for every 1 cup whole milk*.

To make 1 cup of hot chocolate:

Heat 1 cup whole milk* in a medium sauce pan until warm.
Whisk in 1/4 cup hot cocoa mix then bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute, whisking constantly, until melted and smooth and it starts to thicken.
Remove from the heat and whisk in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Cool for 10 minutes then serve with mini marshmallows or whipped cream.

Notes

*Because there isn’t any powdered milk in this recipe, I highly recommend using whole milk and not using low fat or skim for best results.
Serve with homemade whipped cream, chocolate whipped cream, or peanut butter whipped cream.

Did you make this recipe?

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