This recipe for my Mom’s Famous Hot Chocolate Mix is one of my favorite childhood memories, and honestly, it’s still the best homemade hot cocoa mix I’ve ever had. She would make a huge batch every winter using simple pantry ingredients, and to me, there was nothing better in the whole wide world. If you’ve been searching for a hot chocolate mix recipe that tastes like real, rich chocolate flavor instead of those watery store-bought mixes, you are in exactly the right place. Grab your food processor and let’s make this happen!
Because you need snacks to go with that perfect cup of hot chocolate!
What Snacks Go Well With Hot Chocolate?
When it comes to hot cocoa pairings, it’s generally best to choose sweets. But it’s also important not to choose snacks that are TOO sweet. Peppermint is a great compliment to hot chocolate because it balances the richness of the chocolate with a crisp and refreshing flavor. Candy canes especially are a classic for a reason — there’s something about that cool, snappy mint against a creamy cup of cocoa that just screams holiday season.
- candy canes
- peppermint marshmallows
- peppermint spoons
- candy cane shot glasses
- peppermint whipped cream
Marshmallows and hot chocolate are great duos for the same reasons. The light airiness of the marshmallows and subtle sweetness offset the chocolate perfectly. Mini marshmallows are the classic choice, but if you really want to impress people, homemade marshmallows are a total game changer — be still my heart, they’re so much softer and dreamier than anything from the grocery store.
- marshmallow stirrers
- marshmallow bits (think Lucky Charms)
- Gourmet Vanilla Bean Marshmallows
- Smashmallow has a HUGE variety of specialty marshmallow flavors:
- Candy Cane
- Dark Chocolate Dipped Coffee
- Sugar Cookie
- Chocolate Dipped Raspberry
These super cute snowman marshmallows came from TJ Maxx
A few other fun treats I included on my Hot Cocoa Snack Board:
- Little Debbie Snack Cakes
- Chocolate covered pretzels
- Shortbread cookies
- Chocolate wafer rolls
Making Your Own Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe
Can we talk about how fun it is to make your own hot cocoa mix at home? This is such a great recipe for the holiday season because it uses simple pantry ingredients you probably already have — unsweetened cocoa powder, powdered milk, and a little sugar. For best results, toss everything into a food processor so it blends into one super fine, dry mix with zero clumps. A pinch of salt and a dash of cinnamon take the flavor over the top, and if you want to get fancy, a little vanilla powder or vanilla bean powder adds the most incredible depth without any artificial flavor.
I love using nonfat dry milk powder for my base recipe, but whole milk powder makes an even creamier, richer cup of hot cocoa if you want to splurge a little. You can usually find powdered milk at your local grocery store or Fred Meyer, tucked in with the baking supplies. This easy homemade hot chocolate mix comes together in minutes and tastes so much better than anything from a hot cocoa mix packet off the shelf.
Chocolate Options And Flavor Variations
The secret ingredient to the best hot chocolate is really good chocolate — I’m talking real chocolate, not the waxy stuff. You can use semisweet chocolate chips, chopped chocolate, or even dark cocoa powder or dutch-processed cocoa powder if you want a deeper, more intense flavor. Cacao powder works beautifully too if that’s what you’ve got on hand. Feeling adventurous? Add a dash of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne for a Mexican hot chocolate twist — it’s warm, a little spicy, and so cozy on a cold night. If you love chocolate desserts as much as I do, you’ll also want to check out this chocolate cream pie recipe and this dreamy Nutella mousse cake recipe for more rich chocolate flavor fixes.
Storage Tips And Homemade Holiday Gifts
Once your dry mix is ready, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, and it’ll keep well all winter months long. A mason jar is perfect for this — it keeps the shelf life nice and long while looking absolutely adorable sitting on your counter. Honestly, this homemade hot chocolate mix recipe makes the best homemade holiday gift ever. Just scoop your own hot cocoa mix into cute jars, tie on a gift tag with instructions, and bonus points if you add a few mini marshmallows or candy canes right on top. I love giving these out for teacher gifts, neighbor gifts, and stocking stuffers — people go nuts over homemade mix during the holidays, way more than store-bought mixes. If you’re in full holiday baking mode, this is also a great way to pair your gift jars with other treats like Christmas Crack or a batch of Reese’s fudge for the ultimate holiday gifts basket.
Hot Chocolate Tips
- Feel free to adjust the recipe to your desired level of sweetness. My mom’s mix is pretty sweet, but if you like a less sugary drink, just reduce the powdered sugar by half or more.
- You can also use any other type of chocolate milk powder in place of Nesquik.
- If you don’t have any marshmallows on hand, you can always top your hot chocolate with whipped cream, mini chocolate chips, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon for some fun toppings.
- Store your mix in an airtight container for up to 6 months for best results.
Alton Brown fans know he’s big on using high-quality ingredients and real vanilla extract instead of artificial flavor, and honestly, that philosophy totally applies here. Using whole vanilla beans or good vanilla extract in your dry mix makes a noticeable difference in the resulting hot cocoa. It really does take this from a basic cup of hot chocolate to the best hot chocolate you’ve ever had, and that’s the whole point of making your own mix instead of grabbing one more box off the shelf.
Hot Chocolate FAQs
Is it better to make hot chocolate with milk or water?
Everyone knows that milk makes the best hot chocolate. But I prefer to use water because it’s simple to just use the water from my Keurig for hot chocolate. And if you’re entertaining and making a snack board or hot chocolate bar, it could get complicated to provide warmed milk for everyone.
Problem solved! My mom’s hot chocolate mix is largely made up of powdered milk and powdered creamer. This means your hot chocolate will still taste like it’s made from warm, creamy milk.
What’s the best way to make hot chocolate?
The best way to make hot chocolate is with milk, water, or a combination of the two. The mix will dissolve more easily in warm liquids and result in a creamier finished product.
Can I use any type of milk in my hot chocolate?
You can use any type of milk in your hot chocolate, from cow’s milk to almond milk or soy milk. Just make sure the milk is heated to at least 160 degrees F before adding it to the mix.
Is it better to use whipped cream or marshmallows in my hot chocolate?
That’s up to you! Some people prefer whipped cream because it dissolves more easily and doesn’t get in the way of the chocolate flavor. But others prefer marshmallows because they add a light and fluffy texture to the drink.
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Classic chocolate crinkles stuffed with a Candy Cane Hershey’s Kiss. Sweet sugar on the outside, fudgy on the inside, and so easy to make!
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Whether you’re making a big batch of my Mom’s Famous Hot Chocolate Mix or just a single cup of hot cocoa, these tips and recipes will make your hot chocolate drinking experience even better. To use it, just scoop a cup of the cocoa mix into a mug, add about 8 ounces of hot water or hot milk, and stir until it’s smooth and steamy. It’s the easiest, coziest cold-weather drink around, and such a great way to make the cold days and cold months feel a whole lot warmer. So grab a mug, sit by the fire, and enjoy — and if you’re planning a whole hot chocolate bar for guests this year, don’t forget the fun toppings! You might also love setting out a homemade eggnog recipe alongside it for folks who want options.
Mom’s Famous Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Yield:
50 servings
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Total Time:
10 minutes
This recipe for my Mom’s Famous Hot Chocolate Mix is one of my favorite childhood treats. She would make a huge batch every winter, and to me, there was nothing better in the whole wide world.
Ingredients
- 25 oz. Powdered Milk
- 32 oz. Nesquik Chocolate Milk Powder
- 16 oz. Powdered Creamer
- 1 lb. Powdered Sugar
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients together in a very large mixing bowl.
- Use about half a cup to one cup of boiling water (remember, a good portion of the mix is powdered milk and creamer– that’s why you use so much!). Mix well and enjoy!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 50
Serving Size: 1/2 cup
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 152Total Fat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 5mgSodium: 100mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 0gSugar: 19gProtein: 6g