Making your own DIY hot chocolate mix is an easy, budget-friendly way to enjoy rich homemade hot chocolate anytime.
Hot chocolate is often thought of as a winter treat, but my kids enjoy it year-round. We always keep a jar of mix on hand for cozy nights at home or for taking along on camping trips.
Instead of buying pre-made mix, you can make a simple, delicious version at home with just five ingredients. Most are likely already in your pantry. Read on to learn how to make a batch of homemade DIY Hot Chocolate Mix you’ll want to keep stocked.
How to make DIY Hot Chocolate Mix:
This mix comes together in minutes and stores well. A food processor is the most efficient way to break down the white chocolate into a fine powder that dissolves easily in hot milk. If you only have white chocolate chunks, chop them roughly first so the processor can handle them more easily.
Process the white chocolate by itself until it resembles coarse sand, scraping the sides and bottom of the bowl so no pieces remain stuck. Then add the skim milk powder, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt. Process again until the blend is a uniform, light-brown powder.
Transfer the finished mix to an airtight jar or canister and store at room temperature. Use it whenever you want a quick mug of hot chocolate.
How to make Hot Chocolate from your DIY Hot Chocolate Mix:
To make a mug of hot chocolate, scoop 1/4 cup of the mix into a microwave-safe mug and add 1 cup of milk (dairy or non-dairy, any fat level works). Stir briefly.
Microwave for 1 minute, stir, and check the temperature. If it hasn’t fully dissolved or you want it hotter, microwave in 30-second increments until done, stirring between each interval.
If you prefer not to use a microwave, heat the milk in a small saucepan over medium heat—don’t let it boil—then whisk in the hot chocolate mix. An espresso machine with a milk steamer also works: steam the milk first, then stir in the mix.
Top with whipped cream or mini marshmallows for an extra-special treat.
DIY Hot Chocolate Mix Ingredients:
For the mix:
- White chocolate chips or chunks — 1 1/2 cups (about 255 g). Either chips or chunks work; chunks can be chopped first for easier processing.
- Skim milk powder — 3 cups (about 336 g). Whole milk powder may be used instead if preferred.
- Dutch-processed cocoa powder — 1 1/2 cups (about 126 g). Dutch-processed cocoa dissolves more smoothly than natural cocoa and is recommended here.
- Powdered sugar — 1 cup (about 114 g).
- Salt — 1/4 teaspoon (about 3 g).
To prepare a drink:
- Milk — 1 cup per serving (dairy or non-dairy).
- Optional toppings — whipped cream or mini marshmallows.
Want more hot beverage recipes?
DIY Hot Chocolate Mix Nutrition Notes:
The nutrition values given with the recipe assume 1/4 cup of mix prepared with 1 cup of 1% milk. Using a different milk or changing the amount of mix will change the nutrition facts. The recipe as written is gluten-free.
DIY Hot Chocolate Mix
Making DIY Hot Chocolate Mix is an easy and affordable way to have homemade hot chocolate any time you want.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups (255 g) white chocolate chips or chunks
- 3 cups (336 g) skim milk powder (or whole milk powder)
- 1 1/2 cups (126 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 1 cup (114 g) powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon (3 g) salt
- 1 cup milk per serving
- Mini marshmallows or whipped cream, optional
Instructions
- Add 1 1/2 cups (255 g) white chocolate chips or chunks to a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped and the texture resembles coarse sand. Scrape the bowl so no chocolate is stuck to the bottom or sides.
- Add 3 cups (336 g) skim milk powder, 1 1/2 cups (126 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder, 1 cup (114 g) powdered sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon (3 g) salt. Process until the mixture is an even, light-brown powder.
- Transfer the mix to a large airtight jar or canister and store at room temperature.
- Scoop 1/4 cup of the mix into a mug and add 1 cup of milk. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, then heat in 30–60 second increments as needed until the mix is dissolved and the drink is hot. Alternatively, heat milk on the stovetop over medium heat (do not boil) and then whisk in the mix, or steam the milk with an espresso machine and stir in the mix. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
If you prefer not to use a microwave, heat milk in a small saucepan over medium heat (do not let it boil) and stir in the mix. You can also steam milk with an espresso machine and then stir in the mix. In both cases heat the milk first, then add the mix.
*Recipe adapted from America’s Test Kitchen DIY Cookbook.
