Julie Clark
Updated:
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
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Make a huge batch of this Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix so that you always have hot cocoa on hand this winter season! Chocolate pudding makes it extra creamy and smooth.
Has freezing cold weather hit you yet? For some of you, it probably hit quite a few weeks ago, and for others…well…it’s never going to hit. And for that, I am just a tiny bit jealous.
When the weather turns cold and snow hits the ground during the holiday season, the best way to celebrate is with a cup of hot cocoa. Yes, you can go to a coffee shop, but why not make your own at home?
If you love hot cocoa but can’t seem to keep those little packets around long in your house, this homemade hot chocolate recipe is the answer. A mug of hot cocoa is my favorite thing on a cold day and this recipe makes a bulk mix that is easy to store in the pantry.
What readers are saying:
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Barb says, “I have used chocolate flavored coffeemate….triple chocolate hot chocolate! Everyone at work LOVED it!
Have to make another batch this weekend.”
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Christine says, “Make this as a gift for teachers and hostess gifts. Pack into Ziploc sandwich bags, make decorative bags with seasonal fabric (snowmen take you into January, hearts to February), print cute tags with instructions…into a basket and I’m set for the season!”
Why you’ll love this homemade hot chocolate mix recipe:
- This makes a big batch of the best hot chocolate. It’s a bulk homemade mix that makes about 48 mugs of cocoa!
- Chocolate flavor comes from cocoa powder, Nesquik and instant pudding.
- Coffee creamer and nonfat dry milk powder adds creaminess.
Don’t want milk chocolate? Try our white hot chocolate recipe!
What is hot chocolate mix made of?
You’ll need 6 simple ingredients:
- Powdered milk. Dry milk powder (found in the baking aisle at grocery stores) adds instant creaminess to this hot cocoa recipe. This is also sometimes called whole milk powder.
- Powdered sugar (or confectioner’s sugar). I used powdered sugar rather than granulated sugar so that it would mix into the hot water better.
- Coffee creamer. This is a fun ingredient because you can use any flavor of creamer that you’d like. Choose no flavor, vanilla, peppermint or even caramel.
- Nesquik. This is a great base for hot chocolate.
- Cocoa powder. For an extra boost of chocolate flavor. Use dark chocolate powder if you’d like. Dutch-process cocoa powder or natural both work in this recipe.
- Instant pudding. Our secret ingredient, added for creaminess, plus it thickens the drink ever so slightly.
How to Make Homemade Hot Cocoa
- In a large bowl, whisk all of the ingredients together.
- In order to get the hot chocolate mix to have a finer texture, blend the powder in a food processor. Do this slowly, blending just one cup of powder at a time until it becomes a fine powder. If you put too much powder in the blender, it will not easily blend.
- Store the mixture in an airtight container.
- When making a cup of hot chocolate, stir about ⅓ of a cup of powder in a cup of hot water or hot milk. Add more or less according to your taste.
We love to put marshmallow bits in our dry mix. There’s something about those crunchy little bits that I just have to have in my cocoa.
And that doesn’t mean we don’t like homemade marshmallows and even whipped cream and chocolate shavings on top. You can add as much creamy white stuff as you’d like.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Gift
Looking for holiday gifts for teachers, coworkers, neighbors and friends? Place hot chocolate mix in a mason jar, tighten a lid around the top and tie a bow. Gift with cinnamon sticks, candy canes, mini marshmallows and chocolate chips.
What to Add to Hot Chocolate
This homemade hot cocoa mix recipe has powdered milk in it so you can simply add hot water if you’d like. Other options are milk or coffee.
- Add cinnamon and a little cayenne pepper for a Mexican hot chocolate.
- Can chocolate milk be used for hot chocolate? Yes! More chocolate is never a bad thing.
- You can use a non-dairy milk if you’d like: almond milk, soy milk or coconut milk. But this recipe would not be considered dairy free because of the powdered creamer and milk.
- Try other warm holiday spices such as nutmeg or cardamom.
Storage Instructions
Store the dry ingredients at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Since it makes a large batch, you can also freeze any leftovers in a sealed container for up to 6 months.
Other Holiday Recipes to Love
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Make up a big batch of this hot chocolate mix so you'll be prepared for the winter. Creamy and full of chocolate flavor.
Servings 48
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 11 cups powdered milk
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 11 ounces powdered coffee creamer
- 2 lbs Nestle Nesquik powdered chocolate milk mix
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3.4 ounces chocolate pudding mix (small box)
Optional:
- marshmallow bits
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix all of the ingredients together. 11 cups powdered milk, 1 cup powdered sugar, 11 ounces powdered coffee creamer, 2 lbs Nestle Nesquik powdered chocolate milk mix, 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 3.4 ounces chocolate pudding mix
- In order to get the hot chocolate mix to have a finer texture, blend the powder in a food processor. Do this slowly, blending just one cup of powder at a time until it becomes a fine powder. If you put too much powder in the blender, it will not easily blend. Add in the marshmallow bits after blending. marshmallow bits
- Store the mixture in an airtight container.
- When making a cup of hot chocolate, use about ⅓ of a cup of powder per cup of water, or adjust to your liking.
- This makes 16 cups of hot chocolate mix (enough to make 48 cups of hot cocoa).
Video
Notes
The calories shown are based on the a serving being ⅓ cup hot chocolate mix. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate.
Recipe Source: Food.com
Nutrition
Calories: 245kcal | Carbohydrates: 33g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 28mg | Sodium: 182mg | Potassium: 513mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 275IU | Vitamin C: 2.6mg | Calcium: 275mg | Iron: 0.8mg
Why 11 oz creamer? Canister comes in 16 oz. What does that measurement come out to?
I have made hot cocoa mix in the past and everytime I do it is usually disappointing. It always tastes a lot like the powdered milk and not like hot cocoa. How does this mix taste or compare to others?
Does it matter whether the 4 oz. of pudding mix is instant vs. cook and serve?
How much did your 5.5 pounds of powdered milk cost? I was looking to start this recipe, but all the powdered milk I found was 20-30 dollars for that quantity. and that’s just one ingredient. I can buy a 48-serving canister of hot chocolate for 10-15 dollars.. maybe I’m not looking at the right stores? thanks!
Make this as a gift for teachers and hostess gifts. Pack into Ziploc sandwich bags, make decorative bags with seasonal fabric (snowmen take you into January, hearts to February), print cute tags with instructions…into a basket and I’m set for the season!
How long does the batch stay good? We made this today and LOVE it! We are giving as gifts and thought maybe I should put a best by date – any ideas?
do you mix it with milk or water?
Looks like a great recipe! Is the pudding instant or cook and serve?
Where do you find powdered milk in bulk?
Have you ever tried this without blending in the blender? Making a double batch with kids and wondering if I can skip that step.
Made this today! My whole family loves it! Thank you for sharing!
Instant pudding?
How many cups are in the 2 lbs of Nesquik? I make my own with cocoa & sugar. Thanks
I’ve had my eye on this recipe for awhile now. About a year ago as a matter of fact and I’m finally getting to officially try it.
I just want to make sure the measurements are correct though if you don’t mind? You say that it yields 16 cups of powder. With the milk and sugar making 12 cups, it seems like 2 pounds of Nesquik and over a half pound of creamer, make a lot more than the 4 cups left. Just looking for clarification, thanks!
Hi, I’ve seen similar recipes but they call for 1 lb of powdered sugar rather than 1 cup, although your recipe does have some extra goodies in it. Thanks for posting.