This Big Batch Hot Cocoa Mix is a powdery mix made with sugar, cocoa powder, and powdered milk that will be your go-to when it comes to mixing with hot water or milk. It’s worth having on hand for the cold months ahead. Be sure to check out my stovetop Hot Chocolate, too!
Hot Cocoa Mix {Big Batch}
Nothing warms a body up like a mug of rich hot cocoa, especially in the winter. And, it’s a beverage that can be enjoyed by all ages. When you can make your own mix like this one inspired by Food Network’s Alton Brown, it even tastes better! Plus, you know exactly what is going into the powdery mix with no added preservatives. Try adding this to Peppermint Hot Cocoa Bombs. I also have a big batch of White Hot Chocolate Mix, too!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Sugar: Use confectioners’ sugar (also known as icing sugar or powdered sugar) in the mix. It will dissolve much easier than coarser kinds of sugar.
Cocoa Powder: I prefer Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a slightly darker color and smoother chocolate flavor. However, you could use regular unsweetened cocoa powder.
Powdered Milk: Powdered milk is evaporated milk with a longer shelf life when compared to liquid milk. It is also called milk powder or dry (dried) milk.
Cornstarch: Adding cornstarch to the cocoa powder will give the hot cocoa a creamier consistency.
Salt: Yes, salt is an important ingredient that should not be left out. Salt actually enhances the sweetness of the mix while bringing out more chocolate flavor.
How Much Does the Mix Make?
The dry mix makes about 4 1/2 cups of powder. The amount of servings you will have is dependent on the size of the mug you are using and how much chocolate flavor you are craving. I would recommend starting with 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup powder. If you add about 1/4 cup of hot cocoa mix to a cup of hot water or hot milk, you will have enough mix to make about 18 cups of hot cocoa.
Can I Add Milk to Hot Cocoa Mix?
Sure! In fact, we had a couple of taste testers that preferred to add hot milk to the mix. But, both hot water and hot milk are delicious when added. Try adding hot coffee or even chocolate milk as additional options.
What is the Difference Between Hot Cocoa and Hot Chocolate?
Although both hot cocoa and hot chocolate are popular cold-weather drinks, there is a slight difference between the two. Hot cocoa is usually made from a powdery mix, blended with hot water or milk. On the other hand, hot chocolate is generally chocolate that has been melted in hot liquid. So, most of the mix you buy from the store is hot cocoa. Of course, marshmallows can be added to both.
How to Store Hot Cocoa Mix
This is a big batch of hot cocoa mix, so be sure to keep it handy for when you are craving a mug of hot cocoa. The mix can be stored in a cool dry place for up to a year when properly stored. It may lose some of the flavors the longer it is stored, so it’s best if you can enjoy it within that time.
Want More Hot Chocolate Options?
Hot Cocoa Mix {Big Batch}
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl I like using these glass bowls!
- Airtight container For long-term storage
- Serving glasses These glass coffee mugs look great!
Ingredients
- 2 cups (250 g) confectioners' sugar
- 1 cup (118 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- 2 ½ cups (250 g) powdered milk
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
For Serving
- mini marshmallows, optional
- hot water (or milk)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the confectioners' sugar, cocoa powder, powdered milk, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk together to combine.
- Store the mixture in an airtight container for up to a year. This will make 4½ cups of hot cocoa mix, or enough for about 18 cups of hot cocoa.
Making a Cup of Hot Cocoa
- When making a cup of hot cocoa, use about ¼ of a cup of powder per cup of hot water or milk, or adjust to taste preference.
- Top the powder with ¼ cup of mini marshmallows if adding.
- Pour hot liquid over the cocoa powder, stirring until the powder has dissolved. Enjoy!
Video
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
what good is a reciepe w/o amounts of each ingredient? need amounts of each to mix correctly
Hi Sandra! You had to scroll right by the recipe card to leave this comment. If you are able, you can just look up and you should see everything you need. 🙂
I agree with this comment – you never say how much milk or water to use with 1/4 cup of the mix.
I’m sorry you are having a hard time seeing the recipe. Are you on your phone? Home computer? It’s just so odd. You have to scroll right by it to get to the comments. It’s there in great detail!
▢2 cups (250 g) confectioners’ sugar
▢1 cup (118 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
▢2 ½ cups (250 g) powdered milk
▢2 teaspoons cornstarch
▢1 teaspoon kosher salt
For Serving
▢mini marshmallows, optional
▢hot water (or milk)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, add the confectioners’ sugar, cocoa powder, powdered milk, cornstarch, and salt. Whisk together to combine.
Store the mixture in an airtight container for up to a year. This will make 4½ cups of hot cocoa mix, or enough for about 18 cups of hot cocoa.
Making a Cup of Hot Cocoa
When making a cup of hot cocoa, use about ¼ of a cup of powder per cup of hot water or milk, or adjust to taste preference.
Top the powder with ¼ cup of mini marshmallows if adding.
Pour hot liquid over the cocoa powder, stirring until the powder has dissolved. Enjoy!
I am currently on my phone and I see ingredients and measurements!
Yay! Good! Everyone should be able to, because they are always there. But thank you for letting me know, Andrea! Appreciate it! ❤️
This looks great! I have a diabetic family member, do you think it would work with powdered Stevia instead of powdered sugar?
Some folks have mentioned that it does work. 🙂
As the base for cocoa mix, it is a fair recipe. However I made a cup of hot cocoa with this recipe after mixing all of it up and found it to be less sweet than I wanted. When it comes to confectioners sugar you have to use more than what is called for when it comes to sweetening. I would use 3.5 cups of powdered sugar, and possibly 2 cups of cocoa powder. The salt, cornstarch and milk are fine as is.
This recipe is really good, but not quite sweet enough. I would up the sugar by a half a cup. I like that it’s without coffee creamer.
I increased the powdered sugar to 3 cups and a little more would not have hurt. I also doubled the salt. In addition, I used powdered cream instead of low fat powdered milk. I know I made a lot of changes, but I am a smart cook and I know what it needs. First, I made a cup of milk using 1.4 cup. It tasted like weak chocolate water. When another 1.4 cup was added, it was drinkable, I think because I added so much extra sugar. Maybe homemade marshmallows will make it enjoyable. If not, I have wasted a lot of expensive ingredients.
I add 1/4 cup of regular sugar to the mix and it worked just fine.
Literal perfection. 10/10 I am so sick of sickengly sweet corn syrup laden hot cocoa mixes. This one is perfect for my tastes but my kids had way too many marshmallows to theirs and that is how they love it. Kinda like what you mentioned. It’s just in my cabinet and they make it when they want a treat and I love that I know the ingredients. I make mine with hot milk and about 1/2 cup of powder and its perfect for a late night treat that is not too sweet. Thank you.
HI I want to make this as a gift this CHristmas- so …what size jar would I need? I need to gift about 6-8n people. Thanks!! xoxo
Hi! That sounds like a wonderful gift idea! 😊 The recipe makes about 5 ½ cups of mix, which is roughly enough to fill a quart-sized jar (4 cups) with a bit leftover. For gifting to 6–8 people, here’s what you can do:
Divide the recipe equally into smaller jars, like 8-ounce jars (perfect for individual gifts, but very small. Only about 2-4 cups of cocoa). You’d need about 6–8 jars for this.
If you want to give larger portions, use 16-ounce jars, and you could easily double the recipe to fill 6–8 jars. Especially if you opt to fill the top of the jar with some mini marshmallows! Hope that helps!
ALSO – be sure to taste test the mix after making a batch. Some folks prefer it sweeter and opt to add more confectioners sugar.
Can I use cacao powder instead of dutch cocoa?