This Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix is an easy recipe for kids that makes a great last minute gift idea! Mix up the powdered ingredients, divide into bags, then attach the free printable label to give to family, friends, and teachers.
Jump to:
- Grandma's Gift Idea: Homemade Hot Cocoa.
- Supplies for Hot Cocoa Recipe
- Steps to Make a Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe
- Storing the Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
- Free Printable Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Labels
- Um, let's have some!!
- Hot Chocolate Mix Tips
- Recipe Variations
- FAQ
- More Fun DIY Christmas Ideas for Kids
- Come join the fun at WTN!
- Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Grandma's Gift Idea: Homemade Hot Cocoa.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix was a winter staple at my Grandma Clark’s house. She shared the recipe with my mom, and we grew up scooping it into hot water to make cocoa at night. We never used store bought mix in a packet.
I hadn’t made it in a number of years. But was pondering a good affordable last minute gift idea I could give to a group of people.
I mixed up a batch and packaged it individually with these free printable labels. I wanted to share, just in case you need an easy last-minute gift idea too! When I say easy gift idea, I mean easy. The kids will enjoy helping!
Supplies for Hot Cocoa Recipe
Here are a few quick notes about the supplies you will need to make this recipe!
- Powdered ingredients- All ingredients are powdered and keep for the entire season. Be sure to store it in Large storage containers that are airtight. You will find the recipe below (powdered milk, coffee creamer, unsweetened cocoa powder, and powdered sugar).
- Large bowl- There is a large amount of ingredients so you will need a large mixing bowl or soup pan. You'll also need a sturdy spoon to get the powdered ingredients mixed.
- Printable Labels- If you want to give this mix as a gift, print off the free labels to attach to individual plastic bags. You'll find the link to the labels down in the recipe!
Steps to Make a Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe
This recipe requires a large bowl. I used a Tupperware mixing bowl, and it was barely large enough. A large soup pan could work well.
Of course you can cut the recipe in half if you would like. I've given an estimated ½ recipe below.
Pour all the ingredients into the pan and stir (powdered milk, powdered creamer, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder). Do you get the pattern? Powdered! Ha.
Carefully fold the ingredients together being sure to get down to the bottom of the pan. Slide the spoon gently to the bottom and lift and turn the ingredients over.
If you are overzealous, you will be coughing from all the powder floating in the air!
Grandma's Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
My grandma’s recipe said use a heaping ¼ cup of mix in a cup of hot water. I tend to add a little extra mix to make it creamier (rounded ⅓ cup). You decide what is best for you.
Storing the Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
In Tupperware for daily use
I put my mix into a couple large containers (mine are Tupperware). Then refill a smaller container for daily use (canning jar or other plastic storage container).
In plastic bags for gifts
If your mix is to give as small gifts, like mine was, here is one way to package it up.
Free Printable Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Labels
Print off the Free Printable Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix labels. It looks nice if it is on colored copy paper.
Here is the link for the free printable: Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Free Printable Labels. The printable has three labels on each sheet.
Individual gift sizes portions fit in quart sized plastic storage bags. Put in 1 cup of mix (or 2 cups for a larger portion). Add a large handful of mini marshmallows to the bag. This is optional but looks nice in the package.
Cut out the Labels. Fold them in half the long way so that the print is showing.
Center the label over the opening of the bag and staple in place. Trim off the ends of the label to fit the size of your plastic bag.
This goes quickly and you can have a large number done in no time. This hot chocolate has a nice milk chocolate flavor.
Um, let's have some!!
Well, after such hard work stirring up that mix, I think I’ll go have a mug of hot cocoa. I think grandma would love this and I wish she were here to join me!
If you're a YouTube fan, watch the video of making this recipe gift. Oh, and subscribe to Welcome to Nanas YouTube channel too, it's at this link: Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix YouTube Video.
Hot Chocolate Mix Tips
- Storage- If you keep the mix for your own use, place in Large storage containers that are airtight.
- Scoop- If you have a scoop you can leave in the mix that is handy.
- Gift bags- To package for gifts, place 1 cup or 2 cups of quart sized plastic bags (for gifts)
- Labels for gift bags- Use the Free printable labels for gift bags. Print and cut apart.
Recipe Variations
Here are a few variations you’re welcome to try with this hot chocolate mix gift.
- Half recipe- You can make half the recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix. You will find the recipe below.
- Mini marshmallows- Add mini marshmallows into gift bags, but this is optional.
- Mason jars- This mix also looks cute packaged in pint sized mason jars or any other container you would like to use.
- Candy cane- Next time I may tie on a candy cane with a red ribbon.
FAQ
You can easily make delicious hot chocolate mix from scratch! You'll find the steps to making hot chocolate mix in the post, as well as the specific recipe amounts. This is a fast and easy recipe.
A simple hot chocolate mix can be made with just a few ingredients. Try my grandma's recipe that includes powdered milk, powdered creamer, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder. Do you get the pattern? Powdered! Ha.
More Fun DIY Christmas Ideas for Kids
Looking for more great DIY Christmas crafts and activities for the kids? Here are a few favorites from around the blog:
Come join the fun at WTN!
Try this craft, leave a comment, rate it, and tag a photo with #WelcometoNanas wherever you post.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Equipment
- VERY large mixing bowl or soup pan
- Sturdy spoon
- Large storage containers
Ingredients
- 4 pound Bag Nonfat Dry/powdered Milk (makes 20 quarts)
- 16 ounce Container of powdered coffee creamer (plain, not flavored)
- 8 ounce Container of powdered baking cocoa
- 2 pound Bag of powdered sugar
- 16 ounce Mini Marshmallows (optional- to use in gift bags)
- quart sized plastic bags (for gifts)
- Free printable labels for gift bags
Instructions
- This recipe requires a large bowl. I used my Tupperware mixing bowl, and it was barely big enough. A large soup pan would work well too.Pour all the ingredients into the pan and stir. There is powdered milk, powdered creamer, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder.
- My grandma’s recipe said use a heaping ¼ cup in a cup of hot water. I tend to add a little extra mix to make it creamier (rounded ⅓ cup).
- If your mix is to give as small gifts, here is one way to package it up.Print off the Free Printable Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix labels. It looks nice if it is on colored copy paper.Free Printable Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Labels
- Use quart sized plastic storage bags and put in 1 cup of mix (or 2 cups if you want). Add a large handful of mini marshmallows to the bag. This is optional but looks nice in the package.
- Cut out the Labels. Fold them in half the long way so that the print is showing.Center the label over the opening of the bag and staple in place. Trim off the ends of the label to fit the size of your plastic bag.
- For personal use I put my mix in a couple large containers (mine are Tupperware) and refill a smaller container for daily use (canning jar or other plastic storage container).
Video
Notes
- 12-13 cups powdered milk (2 pound bag Nonfat Dry milk- makes 10 quarts)
- 8 ounce container powdered coffee creamer (plain, not flavored)
- 1 ¾ cups powdered baking cocoa (½ of the 8 ounce container)
- 1 pound bag of powdered sugar (about 3 ¾ cups)
This post was originally published in December 2022 and has been updated to add more relevant and detailed content.
Shelly says
I make this for myself and for gifts almost every year. So handy to have on hand.
Laura says
Love how simple this recipe is, thanks for the labels!
Jen says
How much water is mixed with powder?
Shelly says
My grandma’s recipe said use a heaping ¼ cup in a cup of hot water. I tend to add a little extra mix to make it creamier (rounded ⅓ cup)!
Martha Lopez says
How many gift bags will this recipe make?
Shelly says
Oh wow, I didn't count, I'm sorry. But I think that it would make about 20. I would love it if you would let me know when you make it. I will update this the next time I make it myself. Thank you!!