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It’s officially hot cocoa season—and this mix is my easiest cozy upgrade. Think creamy, chocolatey sips with the slightest mocha vibe (totally optional), all whipped up in minutes.

Make a batch for movie nights, then spoon it into jars for sweet, budget-friendly gifts. Add a bow, jot down the directions, done. Winter magic.

Why You’ll Love This

  • Creamy, chocolate-forward, not chalky.

  • Pantry-friendly; great for gifting and snow days.

  • Customizable sweetness + optional coffee for mocha lovers.

Ingredients:

  • Non-fat dry milk: adds body and creaminess. Note that using whole milk later will yield the richest mug.

  • Powdered sugar + granulated sugar: powdered sugar helps the mix dissolve smoothly.

  • Chocolate chips (milk + white): lend richness and melt-in sweetness once blended fine.

  • Instant coffee: optional; a small amount makes the chocolate taste deeper, not “coffee-y.”

  • Salt: tiny pinch to round the sweetness.

Make the Perfect Mug

  • Heat milk gently over medium-low until steaming with tiny bubbles forming around the edges; don’t boil.

  • Whisk in mix: Start with your stated ratio, whisking until fully dissolved. Adjust to taste.

  • Doneness cue: Cocoa is ready when it looks glossy and there’s no graininess on the spoon.

OMG, guys this really is the best cup of hot cocoa! Creamy and chocolatey with just the slightest hint of mocha. So good. If this does not put you in the Christmas spirit, I do not know what will. My mom was lucky enough to get a cup she looked like she was in heaven drinking this. See Mom drinks Hot Chocolate every morning, like people drink coffee. Sometimes she will even have if after dinner for dessert. So you can imagine she has tried a lot of hot chocolate in her day. She said that hands down this was the best cup of hot chocolate she has EVER had! Now that says a lot, a whole lot!

Added bonus? It is super easy and makes a really cute Christmas gift! Just fill up a mason jar with the cocoa powder (the recipe makes about 6 cups, around 18 servings, depending on how much mix you use) write directions on how to make the perfect cup of hot cocoa and decorate the jar all nice and cute! Easy, cheap, and insanely delicious!

Hot Cocoa

Author: Tieghan Gerard
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 6 cups
Calories Per Serving: 1395 kcal

Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • For hot cocoa mix: Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl. Working in two batches, pulse the ingredients in a food processor until the hot chocolate in finely ground.
  • For whipped cream: Place you mixing bowl and whip in the freezer fo 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Pour the cream into the cold bowl and whip cream until stiff peaks are just about to form. Beat in vanilla and sugar until peaks form. Make sure not to over-beat, cream will then become lumpy and butter-like.
  • To make hot cocoa: Heat four cups milk on medium low heat until almost boiling. Be careful not to burn the milk. Stir 1 1/3 cups of of the cocoa powder into the hot milk.
  • Serve with whipped cream and marshmellows.
  • This make around 6 cups of cocoa powder.

Notes

*Whole milk works the best, but both 2% and skim would also work. It will not be as creamy though. *For every 1 cup of milk add 1/3 cup cocoa powder (or more) to your taste.
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All I need now is a wood burning fire and some chestnuts roasting!

This post was originally published on November 23, 2012

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Comments

  2. Your picture of this decadent, over-the-top delicious cup of hot chocolate popped off the page at Weekend Potluck! I love hot chocolate, but this looks wowza-good! 🙂 I also like the way you really piled big marshmallows ad whipped cream! Girlie, that’s truly a Thanksgiving worthy cup! 🙂
    Blessings,
    Leslie

    Reply

  3. I’m not a coffee drinker, so minus that, and I think these ingredients sound like an amazing cup of cocoa!

    Reply

    1. Honestly, I do not drink any coffee and neither does my mom. But we both love this recipe the just highlight the chocolate flavor, but I am sure it will taste just as good with out it! Enjoy!

      Reply

  6. oops, I mean to say THANK YOU FOR sharing ‘m at our linky party… my brain glitched from looking at that over-the-top chocolate-ness.

    Reply

  9. Sounds like a wonderful thanks giving and the hot chocolate is a perfect end of the day treat. Thanks for coming by foodie friday.

    Reply

  10. OMG… this looks heavenly. My oldest son and I absolutely love hot cocoa in the winter, and the ingredients in your recipe sound like they’d make a delicious batch for Christmas. Thanks for sharing it on on our Holiday Cookie Recipe Swap!

    Reply

  14. This looks really delicious! I love to drink hot cocoa during the holidays. Adding the instant coffee was a great idea. We will definately be trying this:)

    Reply