Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
There is something so nostalgic about hot cocoa in the winter, especially the kind you can make in seconds. This Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix is the recipe I come back to every single year. It has the perfect balance of chocolatey richness, creamy texture, and just the right amount of sweetness. It’s simple, cozy, refined-sugar-free, and the kind of thing everyone actually uses once it’s gifted.
As part of The Gift Guide You Can Make, this mix is one of my favorite edible gifts because it looks beautiful layered in a jar, takes less than 10 minutes to assemble, and feels thoughtful without requiring anything complicated. Paired with a printed tag and a ribbon, this little jar looks like something from a boutique holiday market—but with ingredients you trust and a truly delicious result.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It tastes like a high-end sipping chocolate. Smooth, creamy, indulgent—but made with simple ingredients.
- Refined-sugar-free. Naturally sweetened with coconut sugar, which gives the mix a warm, caramel-like flavor.
- Perfect for gifting. Layers beautifully in jars and stays fresh for months.
- Customizable. Add cinnamon, vanilla bean powder, or chocolate chips for extra richness.
- Quick to assemble. Each jar takes around 5 minutes.
- Kid-approved and freezer-stable. Mix lasts months in the pantry and blends instantly with hot milk.
Ingredients
Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder gives this mix its deep chocolate flavor.
Coconut Sugar: A refined-sugar-free sweetener that adds warmth and complexity.
Powdered Milk or Coconut Milk Powder: Makes the cocoa creamy without needing milk on hand.
Mini Chocolate Chips: Optional but recommended for a richer, café-style result.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances the chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness.
Ingredient Swaps
- No coconut sugar? ? Swap for maple sugar for a cleaner flavor and lighter color.
- Dairy-free? ? Use coconut milk powder instead of powdered milk.
- Want it richer? ? Add 2–3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips to the jar.
- No chocolate chips? ? Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder for a gourmet boost.
- Want it spicier? ? Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon or a pinch of cayenne.
- Prefer it less sweet? ? Reduce the coconut sugar to ¾ cup per jar.
Equipment You’ll Need
24–32 oz glass jar (wide-mouth is best)
Funnel (helps keep the layers neat)
Measuring cups
Spoon for leveling each layer
Small bowl (for combining salt + optional spices)
Gift tags + twine or ribbon
How to Make Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Step 1: Layer the ingredients
Add the coconut sugar to the bottom of the jar first, followed by the powdered milk, then the cocoa powder. This order creates clean, heavy layers.
Step 2: Add the extras
Sprinkle the salt on top of the cocoa layer. Add mini chocolate chips as the final top layer.
Step 3: Seal and Shake (optional)
If giving as a gift, keep the layers intact for presentation. If using immediately, shake to combine.
Step 4: Label
Attach gift tags with instructions for how to make the cocoa.
How to Use the Hot Cocoa Mix
- Add 2 tablespoons of the cocoa mix to a mug.
- Pour in 1 cup of hot milk (or hot water).
- Stir until creamy and fully dissolved.
- Garnish with whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings, or cinnamon.
For extra richness, add an additional tablespoon of mix or stir in a few chocolate chips while hot.
Storage and Shelf Life
This hot cocoa mix is great for gifting because:
- If layering with chocolate chips: Store in a cool pantry to prevent melting.
- Shelf life: Up to 6 months in an airtight jar.
- Best stored: At room temperature, away from humidity.
- Dairy-free versions: Last even longer since coconut milk powder is shelf-stable.
Jar Layering Instructions (Gift-Worthy & Clean)
To achieve defined, aesthetic layers:
- Use a dry funnel for every ingredient to keep jar walls clean.
- Add the coconut sugar first—its weight creates a solid base.
- Add powdered milk next, tapping the jar lightly to level it.
- Spoon the cocoa powder slowly to avoid dusting the jar.
- Add the salt and vanilla bean powder (optional) as a thin line.
- Finish with chocolate chips for a pretty top layer.
Jar Size:
This recipe fits perfectly in a 24–32 oz jar with room for layering.
Troubleshooting
- Mix is clumpy: Add a splash of hot milk first to make a paste, then pour the rest.
- Cocoa doesn’t dissolve fully: Water wasn’t hot enough—use steaming-hot milk or water.
- Layers got messy: Wipe jar walls with a dry paper towel between layers.
- Mix tastes too rich: Reduce cocoa powder to ¾ cup next time.
- Mix too sweet: Decrease coconut sugar to ¾ cup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Up to 6 months when stored in an airtight jar in a cool, dry place.
Yes. Swap powdered milk for coconut milk powder and use non-dairy milk when serving.
It can be. This version uses coconut sugar instead of refined sugar and contains no additives.
Yes! This recipe scales beautifully and is perfect for batch gifting.
Dissolve the mix in a small splash of hot milk first, then add the rest for a smooth, creamy drink.
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Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 1 cup powdered milk or coconut milk powder
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- ¼ teaspoon salt
(Optional additions)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean powder
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Extra chocolate chips for topping the jar
Instructions
- Use a clean, dry 24–32 oz glass jar. A wide-mouth jar works best because it makes layering easier and cleaner.
- Pour the 1 cup coconut sugar into the bottom of the jar using a funnel. Lightly tap the jar on the counter to level it out. This creates a solid, heavy base layer that keeps everything stacked neatly.
- Spoon in 1 cup powdered milk or coconut milk powder. Add it slowly to avoid dusting the sides of the jar. Tap gently to settle this layer.
- Carefully spoon in the 1 cup cocoa powder. This layer is lighter and can cloud the jar if added too quickly—pour slowly and use the funnel to keep edges clean.
- Sprinkle the ¼ tsp salt over the cocoa layer. If using vanilla bean powder or cinnamon, sprinkle them here too so the flavors distribute evenly when the mix is combined.
- Add the ¼ cup mini chocolate chips as the top layer. This gives the jar a finished, boutique-style look and adds extra richness to the mix.
- Tightly seal the jar with a lid. Add a label and tie on a gift tag with instructions (see below). Keep the jar upright to preserve the layered look if gifting.
- Stir 2 tablespoons of the cocoa mix into 1 cup hot milk (or water). Mix until creamy and fully dissolved. Add more cocoa mix for a richer cup.
Notes
- If gifting, avoid shaking the jar so the layers stay pretty.
- For a dairy-free version, use coconut milk powder and pair with oat or almond milk.
- For an extra-smooth result, tell recipients to dissolve the cocoa mix in a splash of hot milk first, then pour in the rest.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight jar.
- Stays fresh for up to 6 months.
- Keep away from heat so the chocolate chips don’t melt.
Gift Tag Instructions (paste onto a printable tag)
To Make:Combine 2 tbsp cocoa mix with 1 cup hot milk. Stir until creamy.
Optional: Top with whipped cream, marshmallows, or chocolate shavings.
