Dry milk powder means you only need hot water. Powdered sugar and finely chopped chocolate dissolve quickly and give a richer cup than store-bought packets.
Ingredients
You’ll need: Small saucepan, Whisk
Method
Whisk the milk powder, powdered sugar, cocoa and salt together (or pulse in a food processor for the smoothest mix).
Stir in the finely chopped chocolate.
Store airtight for up to 3 months.
To serve: stir ⅓ cup mix into 1 cup hot water (or milk for extra creamy).
Tips
Layer in a jar with mini marshmallows on top for gifts: add the serving instructions on a tag.
Nutrition is per ⅓-cup serving made with water.
Nutrition per serving, approximate
- Calories
- 125
- Protein
- 5g
- Carbs
- 23g
- Sugar
- 19g
- Fiber
- 3g
- Fat
- 3g
- Caffeine
- 20mg
Estimated from standard USDA values for the ingredients listed; brands vary.
Variations
Mexican: Add 1 tbsp cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne.
Peppermint: Add crushed candy canes to the jar.
Nutrition at a glance
One serving has about 125 calories, 19 g sugar, 5 g protein and about 20 mg caffeine. Values are estimates from USDA data for the exact amounts listed; your chocolate brand and milk change them: check your version with our chocolate drink calorie calculator.
Storing and reheating
Leftover hot chocolate keeps in a covered jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, whisking well: the chocolate settles as it cools. A skin on top is normal; whisk it back in.
Choosing your chocolate
For drinks made with cocoa powder, Dutch-process gives a darker, smoother, mellower cup and natural cocoa a brighter, fruitier one. For melted chocolate, use a bar you’d enjoy eating: chips contain stabilizers that resist melting. See our cocoa and hot chocolate mix reviews and cocoa powder guide.
Frequently asked questions
How long does homemade cocoa mix last?
About 3 months in an airtight container.
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Gear for this recipe
A top pick in America’s Test Kitchen’s cocoa tasting for complex, layered chocolate flavor. Comes in natural and Dutch-process versions.
- Type
- Cocoa powder
- Size
- 8 oz
- Cost
- about $1 per oz
- Make with
- Make from scratch
A higher-fat Dutch-process cocoa that gives hot chocolate a dark color, smooth flavor and fuller body.
- Type
- Cocoa powder
- Size
- 8 oz
- Cost
- about $1.60 per oz
- Make with
- Make from scratch
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