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.
My dear Aunt Florence made this decades ago and it is delicious. She also made a tea concoction that was much like Constant Comment using instant tea. Wish I had that recipe today. So good 😊
I have the spiced tea recipe and will share if ok with I am Baker.
As to this recipe, I am very salt sensitive, so 1/4 teaspoon was enough for me.
College baseball player grandson likes as a high protein choice when made with milk.
I don’t use sugar in hot beverages, I enjoy hot chocolate, coffee, tea etc without any sugar or sweetener. However you can add sweetener to the end product as per your liking it should be fine. You won’t know unless you try it.
I congratulate you for not using artificial creamer in your recipe!
I can hardly wait to fix this!
It looks Delicious!’
Is it necessary to use the powdered milk? I always use hot milk anyway, so it seems like overkill if it has an instant milk.
It’s way creamier to use the powdered milk and milk. That’s what I do.
Can you substitute a sweetener in place of the powder sugar.
Can superfine sugar substitute in place of powdered sugar, or will the weight of tiny granules throw off the ability for the mix to mix thoroughly what with everything else being of a fluffy powder?
It will work! Just make sure the liquid you add to the mix is piping hot to break down the sugar. 🙂
Wouldn’t coffee creamer make it richer tasting, with powder milk?
I think the recipes I’ve seen that use it also use powdered milk, and the creamer is just added as a flavor enhancer (like hazelnut, French vanilla, caramel, etc.). I know there are recipes out there that do this, and they’d have the proper measurements. Or just add it after the fact, like you do with coffee.
This recipe is really good. I’ve made it before, and plan to make it again for hubby’s co-workers. I found really pretty little glass jars at Dollar Tree, and pretty everyday mugs elsewhere, and will pack a box with this, the mug, some peppermint candy canes, and marshmallows. It makes such a nice gift.
What kind of powdered milk do you use? The kind from our grocery store doesn’t blend well. Leaves lumps.
Any suggestions?
I put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until uniformly mixed. You can see the color change as it “creeps” up the sides of the blender. This is just like the stuff in packets and dissolves very easily, no lumps!
Have you had any experience with no sugar substitutions? I was wondering if I could do Swerve powdered sugar substitute….