Making DIY Hot Chocolate Mix is an easy and affordable way to have homemade hot chocolate any time you want.
Hot Chocolate is usually considered a winter thing, but my kids like to drink it all year round. We like to keep hot chocolate mix on hand, especially for camping trips.
But did you know that instead of getting your hot chocolate mix at the store, you can make it for yourself at home? It's actually incredibly easy, and takes only 5 ingredients to make! You probably already have some or most of them in your pantry right now. Keep reading to learn how to make your own DIY Hot Chocolate Mix.
How to make DIY Hot Chocolate Mix:
Making this hot chocolate mix is very easy, and comes together in just minutes. You will need a food processor, as it's required to turn the white chocolate into a fine powder that dissolves easily in hot milk.
If you're using white chocolate chunks instead of chips, it's best to chop them up a little bit first. This makes things go a little easier for your food processor.
I recommend processing the white chocolate alone first and breaking it down into small pieces before adding the other ingredients. This helps to ensure there are no chunks of white chocolate at the end, which makes it more difficult for your hot chocolate powder to dissolve.
After the white chocolate is processed, it will resemble a kind of crumbly, coarse sand. Make sure you scrape the sides and bottom of the food processor as the chocolate will want to stick in the corners of the food processor bowl.
Once all of the white chocolate has been loosened from the bowl, add the remaining ingredients: skim milk powder, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and salt. Turn the processor on again until the mixture is an even powder.
Store this powder in an airtight container or jar at room temperature, and use it as needed to make rich, delicious hot chocolate.
How to make Hot Chocolate from your DIY Hot Chocolate Mix:
To make yourself a steaming mug of sweet, rich hot chocolate simply scoop ¼ cup of your DIY Hot Chocolate Mix into your favorite mug (make sure the mug is microwave-safe). Add 1 cup of your favorite milk (any milkfat percentage works, as do non-dairy milks). Stir, but don't worry if it doesn't completely dissolve yet.
Put the mug in the microwave for 1 minute. Stir the hot chocolate, and test the temperature of it. If the chocolate doesn't completely dissolve, and/or you'd like it a little hotter, put it in the microwave for 30 seconds longer. Stir and test again. It should be ready now, but if not, add 30 more seconds.
If you don't have a microwave or don't want to use it, you can also heat the milk in a small saucepan on the stovetop. Just be careful not to set the heat too high (medium heat at the most), and make sure not to overcook the milk. Don't heat it so high that it boils.
Alternatively, if you happen to have an espresso machine, you can use your milk steamer to heat the milk (steam the milk on its own first, then stir in the hot chocolate mix).
When your hot chocolate is fully dissolved and reaches your desired temperature, simply enjoy it as it is, or add whipped cream or mini marshmallows to make it extra special.
DIY Hot Chocolate Mix Ingredients:
To make the hot chocolate mix, you will need the following ingredients:
- White chocolate chips or chunks: I used white chocolate chunks for the batch you see in the photos, and it worked well. I have also successfully used white chocolate chips in the past. Use whichever is readily available to you.
- Skim milk powder: You could also use whole milk powder.
- Dutch-Processed Cocoa powder: Dutch-Processed cocoa powder dissolves more easily in liquids than natural cocoa powder, so it is the better choice in this recipe.
- Powdered sugar
- Salt
Additionally, to make yourself a cup of rich, homemade hot chocolate, you will need some of the DIY hot chocolate mix and:
- Milk: any milk fat percentage will work, as will any type of non-dairy milk.
- Whipped cream or marshmallows are optional but make your homemade hot chocolate extra special.
Want more hot beverage recipes?
DIY Hot Chocolate Mix Nutrition Notes:
The nutrition information in the recipe below includes ¼ cup of the DIY Hot Chocolate mix and 1 cup of 1% milk. If you use a different type of milk to make your hot chocolate or use less or more hot chocolate mix, the nutrition facts of your hot chocolate will vary slightly.
This recipe is gluten-free as written.
DIY Hot Chocolate Mix
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Add 1 ½ cups (255 g) white chocolate chips or chunks to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the chocolate is finely chopped and resembles coarse sand. Scrape the edges of the food processor, especially the bottom to make sure the chocolate is not stuck there.
- Add 3 cups (336 g) skim milk powder, 1 ½ cups (126 g) Dutch-processed cocoa powder, 1 cup (114 g) powdered sugar, and ¼ teaspoon (3 g) salt to the food processor. Process until the mixture is an evenly mixed, light brown powder.
- Transfer the mixture to a large airtight jar or canister.
- Scoop ¼ cup of the mix to a mug and add 1 cup milk. Warm in the microwave for 1 minute. Remove the mug and stir, heat for an additional 30-60 seconds as needed, and stir again. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
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Please consider Leaving a Review!*Recipe adapted from America's Test Kitchen DIY Cookbook
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