Whether you're making a single mug of hot chocolate, enough to serve a whole crowd, or a refreshing glass of chocolate milk in the summer you'll want to have a jar of Hot Chocolate Mix on hand for all of your chocolate drinking needs!
I've been using this homemade hot chocolate mix for years, but recently discovered it's excellent to bring to a crowd too! It also makes a mean glass of chocolate milk when the days are warmer.
In our house, we have a milk cow, and I like to skim some of the cream wherever possible so I can make more butter (never enough butter!), sometimes I'm left with gallons of skim milk, thats really still more like whole milk from the store, that I either make mozzarella with, make chocolate milk with some, or plan to bring it to a gathering or serve to guests coming over. Most of our friends have XL families like us and it disappears fast!
Why You Need This Recipe
- keeps in the pantry for ages (you'll absolutely use it up before it goes bad)!
- great for gift-giving (the mix) or party hosting (hot cocoa).
- I'm not sure what they do to commercial chocolate drink powders that makes them dissolve instantly, but I know I don't want it!
Key Ingredients
Raw Cacao - this is unprocessed cocoa beans, and I highly recommend it for the nutrients as well as the taste. We have become accustomed to the slight bitterness, but you can also use cocoa powder if that's more your speed.
Sugar - reach for organic cane sugar for a classic taste, as well as to offset the bitterness of the cacao.
Salt - this is essential, even in a sweet drink. It simply balances everything out.
How to Make Chocolate Milk Mix
***See recipe card below for precise measurements and instructions.***
Step 1: I like to alternate the layers of sugar and cacao in the jar, as it helps it combine much easier.
Step 2: To make a mug, measure out "mugs" of milk into a pot and add 1 tablespoon mix per mug.
Step 3: Whisk it well until combined and heated up!
Step 4: For a crowd, you can make a gallon of hot cocoa at once in the Instant Pot.
Tips and Tricks
- Make sure and use a quart jar and layer the ingredients for ease of mixing.
- Give gifts of hot cocoa mix! Add to a half pint jar with a cute tag of the instructions to make a mug.
- Keep the jar of mix in the pantry away from heat and light for freshness.
This mix does require you to do some arm exercise! It will not dissolve into cold liquids especially with just a spoon. But my kids are old enough that even a hand held brother works well and they can help themselves. I love allowing my kids the "treat" of chocolate milk when I know all the ingredients!
Substitutions
I prefer to use raw cacao because it's unprocessed and just pure cacao. Cocoa powder is more processed, but you can find organic or "better" options. It's totally fine to use whatever you are comfortable with. Cacao can be a bit bitter, especially if you aren't used to it. However, we are mixing it with sugar and maybe a marshmallow treat, so most people won't suspect there's something different about it.
FAQs
Cocoa powder/cacao are both dairy-free, so that makes this mix entirely dairy-free! You can mix it into any milk of your choice, meaning everyone can enjoy a cup or mug.
Try adding a splash of peppermint or vanilla extract, especially when making it for a crowd. It just adds a little something. At the holidays you can also add mini candy canes hooked to the side of the mugs.
photos by Kiara Colebank
More Kid-Friendly Drink Recipes
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If you like this recipe, I’d love if you reviewed it so others can find it easier. Sharing this recipe on Facebook or Pinterest is another way you can help us out at no cost to you. Thanks, xo Kate
Hot Chocolate Mix
Ingredients
- 2 cups organic cane sugar
- 1½ cups raw cacao
- 1 tablespoon good salt
Instructions
Hot Chocolate Mix
- Set out a quart jar with a lid.
- Measure 1 cup of sugar into the jar, stir the salt into it. Add 1 cup cocoa, 1 cup sugar, then the last ½ cup of cocoa. Put a lid on and shake well.
Hot Chocolate Recipe
- To make a cup (or just a few cups) of HOT chocolate measure out your milk (we use a mug to gauge how much we will need) into a pot.
- For every mug of hot chocolate use 1 tablespoon of mix. Warm it up and serve!
Instant Pot Hot Chocolate for a Crowd
- Pour a gallon of milk into your Instant Pot, turn it onto sauté to get it warming up.
- Measure in 1 cup of hot chocolate mix. Keep an eye on it and stir the milk so it doesn't burn to the bottom. Keep whisking to mix in the hot chocolate mix as it warms up.
- When it's hot enough, turn on to "keep warm," leave the lid off, and your guests can help themselves!
Chocolate Milk
- Fill a half gallon jar ⅔ of the way full with milk.
- Add ½ cup hot chocolate powder, and blitz with an immersion blender. (Or you could just do a couple cups of milk and the powder in a normal blender, and mix into the rest of the milk) then top up the jar with more milk.
- Give it a shake before you pour as some will settle.
Video
Notes
- I talk about in the youtube video the difference between raw cacao and cocoa and if you only have/have access to cocoa, by all means use it, but if you can order raw cacao from somewhere like Om Foods for a really reasonable price, please do!
Kim
This was so good! I was skeptical because when I stirred the mix into the cup of warm milk it was a very light color, but the flavor is there. We are going to make this a ton. Thanks!
Emilie
This sounds so yummy! I’m saving this one.
Kristen
This worked so well for my daughter’s birthday party and for a sledding party with friends another day. Thanks! And a reminder for anyone without an instant pot, your crockpot will keep it warm for a crowd too 🙂
Humbleheritagehomestead
I started making this yesterday and we drank over a gallon of chocolate milk already! I used goat's milk because that is what we have and it is a HUGE hit! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Geri Kern
This makes my chocolate loving heart happy. We keep a big jar of it in easy reach in the kitchen ??
Stephanie
I’ve searched for years for a dairy free hot chocolate mix that’s affordable...this is it. Hands down the best of the best!
rachel
I love this mix! So easy and made with actual food ingredients. My kids hate any other cocoa now!
Nicole T
I alway have a big supply of this on hand and my kids mix it up all the time. Thank you for such a yummy way to indulge my kids chocolate cravings.
Mikaela
This makes a wonderful gift at the holiday season! Also, if you are getting together with cousins or a playgroup, it’s a perfect chill warmer for littles!
Tara
Such a easy recipe to make and great for a crowd. It did not last long because it's so delicious!
Bronwyn
Yep, it's a winner! I was craving some hot chocolate on a cold winters day (southern hemisphere gal here). I blitzed mine in a blender to blend up my chunky raw sugar and coarse celtic salt. It's perfect just like the recipe calls for, but if I am feeling extra fancy I'll add a splash of vanilla to the pot right before I pour it into the mugs.
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Oh sounds lovely!
Lori
We don’t buy store bought mix anymore after using this recipe! Kids love it and I love that it has no junk in it like store bought often does.
Robin
This my go-to hot chocolate. 1) ingredients we always have on hand (others recipes call powdered milk – who has that?) 2) Love that I can make this in advance and then make individual portions when we want them
RachelCornelsen
Love this recipe! Made a large batch of mix and gave it as christmas gifts last year! Might just do the same again. It also works well with any Dairy free milk that we're tried (Oat and Coconut).
Gina
We love having this mix on hand for my hot chocolate loving kids.
Humbleheritagehomestead
I feel like to need to send you a thank you card for making this recipe and sharing it with us. My husband had a serious addiction to chocolate Quik powder. I made this and we haven't bought a new Quik since! That's huge! I make up a huge batch and store it in a mason jar to make a 1/2 gallon whenever we run out. We also store left over hot cocoa made with the mix in the fridge and some how the kids think it's an even more special treat to drink cold hot cocoa the next day. They don't seem to realize it's the same mix as the chocolate milk they usually drink. Thank you for helping me get the store bought chocolate milk mix out of the house for good.
Heather
I’m super excited to try this because my kiddos will love it!
mogrma
Great idea for a party...well maybe next year. ?
kateschat
maybe next year ??
Lauren
I really enjoy this hot chocolate mix. Prefect for the winter "warm up" cup after playing in the snow.
Alana
This is really good, however I keep thinking of how much better it must be with fresh, raw milk. I guess I better start looking for a cow. 🙂
jw
i think agroplc.com gas good stuff and vendorsplc.com
jessicaksmith
we are very picky chocolate milk drinkers... I was shocked how good this is for how simple the recipe is. love this mix in my iced and hot coffee too. even made chocolate dairy free frosting the other day with it.
Michelle
Our favorite go to for hot chocolate or chocolate milk. Both kids and adults love it! Love the simplicity of it and knowing the kids are not drinking weird added ingrediants.
Meghan L Lopez
So delicious! And also a great holiday gift that's allergy friendly.
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Yes, the kids have made this for gifts too.
Dayle
Love that Kate's recipes can be adapted so many different ways! I am able to make this dairy free for myself and with milk for my family!
Jenna
One trick I use is to put the T. of mix in the pot with a small amount of water. Heat this up, careful not to scorch, until it bubbles and dissolves. Then add the milk and heat.