Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Without Powdered Milk

You’ll never want to buy store-bought cocoa after seeing how easy it is to make it from scratch! This homemade hot cocoa mix recipe is made without powdered milk. In fact it only takes two ingredients!

Cocoa is a staple in our house at Christmas time. I always try to have a pot of hot cocoa ready and waiting when the kids come in from the snow. Because there really is no better feeling when you’re wet and frosty, than warm cozy PJs, a crackling fire in the woodstove and a cup of rich and creamy homemade cocoa topped with marshmallows.

I used to buy Swiss Miss every year. The giant canister at Sam’s Club. Swiss Miss is my favorite store-bought cocoa because it has just the right amount of sweetness and a hint of salt. Its pretty great. Well a couple of years ago I forgot to pick one up, and we were hit with a good old snow storm. Everyone wanted cocoa so I decided to try making it from scratch.

Turns out, the ingredients are super basic! Sugar, cocoa and milk. It took 2 minutes to mix up a batch that would last us all Winter and that was it! I never went back to buying cocoa mix again.

Have you tried my homemade peppermint marshmallow recipe?

Homemade cocoa makes a great gift too, because everyone loves cocoa! I mean maybe there are a few sad people who don’t but they probably don’t like Christmas gifts anyway! I love making gift baskets with a jar of cocoa mix, a bag of homemade marshmallows and some candied nuts.

Ready to make make the easiest recipe ever?

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure here.

How To Make Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Without Powdered Milk:

ingredients:

• Cocoa Powder – Any kind of cocoa powder is fine. Hershey’s brand is what I generally use. Just make sure the only ingredient in your cocoa powder is cacao powder.
• Sugar – White granulated sugar works best in this recipe.
• Salt – Adding salt to you cocoa mix enhances the chocolate flavor and actually makes it taste sweeter!

Supplies:

• medium mixing bowl
• whisk
• airtight container to store cocoa mix made in bulk

Do You Make Cocoa With Milk or Water?

If the cocoa mix you are using contains dry powdered milk, you can either use milk or water. Using milk will add to the calories in your prepared cup of cocoa, but it will taste creamier and more flavorful than coca made with water.

If the cocoa mix you are using doesn’t contain any powdered milk (like this recipe) you will have to use milk when preparing your cup of cocoa.

Can You Make Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Without Powdered Milk?

Cocoa mix that is made with powdered milk is meant to be used in water. Making cocoa mix without powdered milk, just means it needs to be prepared using warm milk instead of water. Whole milk will give you the creamiest cup of hot chocolate.

Can This Hot Cocoa Recipe Be Gluten Free and Dairy Free?

This recipe is! There is no gluten or dairy in the mix itself. To prepare your cocoa to make it dairy free, consider using almond or coconut milk in place of cow’s milk.

What Do You Put in a Hot Cocoa Kit?

Homemade cocoa mix makes a great addition to Christmas gift baskets or favors at Holiday parties! This recipe fits in a pint sized mason jar. Any of these ingredients would make a great addition!

• marshmallows
• a cinnamon stick
• a candy cane tied to the outside of the jar
• espresso powder
• crunched up peppermint candies

How to Make Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Without Powdered Milk:

Prep – Combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk together until completely combined.

Serve – Add two to three tablespoons of hot cocoa mix to 8 ounces of warmed milk. Stir until no clumps are left.

Tips:

To Prepare – This recipe cannot be made using water since its made without powdered milk. Skim, 2% or whole are all fine to use but whole milk will give you the creamiest and most delicious homemade hot cocoa.

To Store – Homemade hot cocoa mix will last almost indefinitely when stored in an airtight container.

Variations – For added flavor, add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to an individual cup of cocoa. When making a whole pot or cocoa, add 1 tablespoon of vanilla after the pot has been removed from the heat.

Try different variations of homemade cocoa by adding a pinch of cinnamon, espresso powder or a drop of peppermint oil to your cup.

Ways to Enjoy Homemade Hot Cocoa:

• topped with marshmallows (homemade marshmallows are extra delicious)
• stirring with a peppermint stick or candy cane
• topped with homemade whipped cream
• sprinkled with cinnamon

You might also enjoy this recipe for mocha peppermint coffee from The Simple Homeplace Blog

More Homemade Treat Recipes:

If you liked this recipe, I think you’ll really enjoy these other homemade treats on the blog:

• Peppermint Marshmallow Recipes
• Homemade Strawberry Marshmallows
• The Fluffiest Honey Whipped Cream
• Strawberry Whipped Cream
• Healthy Honey Marshmallows

I hope you love this recipe for homemade hot cocoa mix! If you make it, I’d love for you to come back and leave a comment and rating so that I know how you like it!

There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting At Home on the Prairie, it helps keep this blog keep going.