This post may contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission, at no additional cost to you, if you make a purchase via our links. See our disclosure for more information.
This creamy hot chocolate in a jar is the perfect homemade holiday gift! You just need a handful of ingredients, and can easily customize the flavor with different add-ins to make it your own. Attach one of the printable labels and you have an easy Christmas gift ready to go!
I’ll admit that I used to not be the biggest hot cocoa fan.
Most of the time, the mixes I tried were overly sweet without enough chocolate flavor. Once I started making my own hot cocoa mix, my feelings changed.
Since you’re the one making it, you can really choose ingredients that fit your budget and flavor preferences.
- Want to make it richer? Use whole milk powder.
- Prefer high quality chocolate? Splurge on Valrhona or Ghirardelli.
- Want more chocolate flavor? Add dark chocolate shavings to the mix, which will melt into the hot cocoa from the heat of the hot milk.
There are so many options, which you can even mix-and-match some of the add-ins listed below to make your own custom blend. (I especially love adding dark chocolate shavings with the peppermint candies!)
Below, I’ll share my go-to homemade hot chocolate mix plus my 5 favorite flavor variations and free printable gift tags.
If you love these labels and want another gift to share, this spiced Christmas coffee recipe fits neatly in a mason jar and has matching labels. Or, make this Hot Caramel drink mix for a fun cocoa alternative!
Want more holiday gift inspiration? Try these homemade Christmas gifts and don’t forget to grab my printable Christmas recipe cards!
Ingredients
- Dry milk powder – What makes hot cocoa mix creamy with just hot water? Powdered milk. Without it, cocoa mix is basically just sweetened cocoa powder and it won’t have that richness you expect.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder – Use a good quality cocoa powder. For this recipe, I used this organic cocoa powder, which had a smoother, richer flavor than Hershey’s.
- Powdered sugar
- Cornstarch – To help thicken the cocoa and make it creamier.
- Kosher salt
- Mini marshmallows – Optional. Feel free to dehydrate them first to make them more like the marshmallows from the packets. I did this but then ate all the dehydrated marshmallows before I could use them…
How to Make Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Whisk to combine.
Step 3: Transfer to a mason jar or airtight container. Add marshmallows, if using.
Step 4: Attach a gift tag with twine or ribbon and share with your loved one.
🏷️🎄Free Printable Hot Chocolate Gift Tags
Sign up to unlock your free hot cocoa labels✨.
You’ll get six festive flavors, perfect for creating thoughtful holiday gifts everyone will love.
Storing Suggestions
If properly stored in a cool, dry, airtight container, this homemade mix can keep for months, if not longer.
Flavor Variations for Homemade Hot Cocoa in a Jar
Per batch of hot cocoa, add the following quantities. Stir any powders into the mixture (like the dried spices or espresso powder), or add solid toppings on top of the dry mix (like the marshmallows or chocolate shavings).
Cinnamon Spice Hot Cocoa
Add 2 tsp cinnamon, 1 tsp cardamom, and 1/2 tsp nutmeg.
Espresso Hot Cocoa
Add 3 tbs of espresso powder per batch.
Dark Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix
Add 1/2 cup of shaved dark chocolate or mini chocolate chips.
Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix
Add 3 tbs crushed candy cane pieces or peppermint candy.
How to Serve
Although you can certainly make your hot cocoa with water, you’ll get a creamier, more delicious drinking experience with warm milk.
Feel free to add some whipped cream instead of marshmallows, if that’s your thing!
How much cocoa mix do you get from one batch?
Basically, you’ll get enough for about 2 pint mason jars or one quart jar from one batch. If dividing into pint jars, the mixture is a little bit shy of the top, but that also means you have room for marshmallows or other add-ins.
More Hot Cocoa Recipes (Coming Soon)
- Caramel Hot Cocoa Mix
- Spiced Hot Chocolate Mix
- Espresso Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix
- Dark Chocolate Hot Chocolate Mix
If you made this recipe, please leave a comment or ask a question below! I’d love to hear what you think or troubleshoot any issues.
Get my FREE Homestead Kitchen Supply List to make it easier than ever to cook and bake from scratch.
Want more seasonal recipes? Subscribe for email updates or follow Milk Glass Home & Kitchen on social media. Join my Facebook Group Seasonal Slow Living to become part of the community!
Easy Hot Chocolate in a Jar Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry milk powder
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1/2 cup mini marshmallows, optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Whisk thoroughly to combine.1 cup dry milk powder, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1 tsp kosher salt
- Transfer to a glass mason jar and seal tightly.
- To use, combine 3-4 tbs of dry mix in a mug with 6-8 oz of hot water or milk. Stir thoroughly and top with whipped cream or marshmallows.
Notes
Did you try this recipe?
Post a photo and tag @milkglasshome!Pin this recipe for later!
