Make Your Own Hot Chocolate Mixes

Nothing tastes better than a warm cup of hot chocolate on a chilly winter's day. Try these easy-to-whip-up recipes.

by Farmers' Almanac Staff Updated: January 28, 2022

Warm up from the inside out! After sledding, ice skating, skiing, or snowshoeing, nothing tastes better than a warm cup of hot chocolate. These mixes are easy to whip up —just store dry-ingredient recipes in an airtight container.

DIY Hot Chocolate Mixes

1. Chocolate Chip Cocoa Mix

3 cups powdered milk
2 cups (12 oz.) chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows

Put half of the dry milk and half the chocolate chips in a food processor or blender and whirl till just finely ground. Dump out, then repeat with the rest of the milk and chips. Add the marshmallows and store in an airtight container.

To make a single cup of cocoa: Use 1/3 cup of mix per mug of boiling water.

2. Everyday Cocoa Mix

1 pound can instant chocolate milk mix (i.e., Nestlé’s Quik)
1 ¾ cup nondairy creamer
1 pkg. (makes 8 qts.) powdered milk
1 lb. powdered sugar
¼ to ½ cup unsweetened cocoa

Mix ingredients together and store in an airtight container. To make a single cup of cocoa: Use 1/3 cup of mix per mug of boiling water.

3. Double Cocoa Hot Chocolate Mix

1 package (makes 8 qts.) powdered milk
1 container (6 oz.) non-dairy coffee creamer
1 pound can instant chocolate milk mix (i.e., Nestlé’s Quik)
1 cup powdered sugar
1 box instant chocolate pudding

Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. To make a single cup of cocoa: Use a couple of teaspoons per cup of boiling water, or to taste.

The following recipe uses liquid ingredients:

4. Warm and Spicy Hot Chocolate

4 oz. unsweetened chocolate
4 cups milk
3/4 cup half-and-half
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
Whipped cream

Melt chocolate in 1 cup of milk over low heat, stirring constantly. Gradually add remaining milk and half-and-half. Add sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until completely heated. Mix in extracts, pour into mugs, and serve topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg. Serves 4.

You can also make this recipe vegan by substituting almond milk for dairy milk and half-and-half. Try topping it with coconut cream instead of whipped cream!

Make your own whipped cream—it’s easy!