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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!

homemade cocoa being poured out of a cocoa pot into a white hot cocoa cup

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?

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a tablespoon of homemade cocoa mix in a mason jar

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
homemade cocoa being poured out of a cocoa pot into a white hot cocoa cup

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.

a tablespoon of homemade cocoa mix in a mason jar

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
homemade cocoa being poured out of a cocoa pot into a white hot cocoa cup

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.

a red mug of homemade cocoa with whipped cream on top

Ways to Enjoy Homemade Hot Cocoa:

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:

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!

homemade cocoa being poured out of a cocoa pot into a white hot cocoa cup

Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Without Powdered Milk

Yield: 8 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

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.

Ingredients

For a Batch of Cocoa

  • 1 - 1/2 cups cocoa powder
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

For a Single Serving

  • 1- 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • a pinch of salt

Instructions

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

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

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

Notes

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 cocoa.

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.

Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 249Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 83mgCarbohydrates: 60gFiber: 2gSugar: 53gProtein: 2g

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19 Comments

  1. Looking forward to trying this soon!! The first time I went to France I didn’t realize that the cocoa mix I was served didn’t have powdered milk in it so I added it to hot water! Haha! That was a bit of a hard drink to finish!

  2. Aw, this makes me want to make a cup right now. I have all the ingredients… 🙂 I also love that you linked your recipe for homemade marshmallows! I’ll definitely be trying that, too! Thank you so much!

  3. I had a hot cocoa recipe that used for gift given for years, but for the life of me ,I wasn’t able to find it this year. So I decided to find a new one. Came across yours and tried the single serving. . I must say it’s very good and has a rich taste of chocolate to it. I will be using your recipe this year. Thank you!

  4. Thank you for the recipe! I just don’t like the flavor of powdered milk, so this is one I plan to try.

  5. Hi,
    Loved your recipe. Planning to make hot chocolate bombs using the recipe but the 2 TBsp of the mix may not fit in. Everywhere i read it says add 1 Tbsp of the mix to bomb. Any suggestions?

    1. Hi Liyana, I wonder if the cocoa bomb recipes call for less mix because of the chocolate the mix is in encased in making up for having less mix vs. milk? I would do what the bomb recipe recommends and stick with 1 Tablespoon of cocoa mix.

  6. This Hot Chocolate mix is very very good I have been buying Star Bucks hot chocolate from the store and this taste just like it ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

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