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3 ingredient hot cocoa mix is a tasty, simple, convenient, and economical way to get your hot chocolate fix. Whip up a batch to keep on hand for after school, cold weather, and cravings!
3 Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix
We’ve been making 3 ingredient cocoa for about as long as I can remember. Milk + Cocoa + Sugar add up to a terrific cup of hot chocolate.
However, my kids prefer to just grab the packets of cocoa and add hot water when they want cocoa. So, that led me back to this mix that my mom always had on hand when we were growing up. It works the same way – and tastes better by far!
It’s a budget friendly recipe, too. So grab your whisk and 3 simple ingredients and a delightful cup of cocoa is mere moments away!
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
To make this old-fashioned hot cocoa mix, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- powdered milk
- powdered sugar
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- Optional: mini marshmallows, candy canes, whipped cream, and shaved chocolate
It’s important to use unsweetened cocoa powder for this recipe. Our family loves special dark or bittersweet cocoa powder for the mix. Use what you like best for baking, and you can’t go too far wrong.
Powdered sugar needs no explanation, but you have options when it come to powdered milk and cocoa powder. Dry, powdered milk comes in several varieties.
Most grocery stores carry non-fat or low-fat instant dry milk. These work absolutely fine in the homemade hot cocoa mix. I prefer full fat dried milk, personally, which is sold as “whole milk dried milk” and is more often sold at bulk foods store or online.
There is also powdered dry coconut milk and goat milk available for those with allergies to cow’s milk.
Hot Cocoa Mix
In a large bowl, combine the powdered milk, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder. Whisk until there are no lumps and everything is well combined. Transfer to an airtight container and store until ready to use.
To make a cup of hot cocoa, add about ¼ cup of the dry mix to 8 ounces of hot water. Whisk or stir to dissolve the cocoa mix.
Top each mug of cocoa with marshmallows, whipped cream, shaved chocolate, or a candy cane, if desired.
Mint lovers should be sure to check out our Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix, too!
3 Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix
Ingredients
- 3 cups powdered milk
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder (We like to use special dark or bittersweet cocoa.)
OPTIONAL
- miniature marshmallows
- chocolate shavings or finely chopped chocolate
- small candy canes
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the powdered milk, powdered sugar, and cocoa powder. Whisk until there are no lumps and everything is well combined. Transfer to an airtight container and store until ready to use.
- To make hot cocoa, add about ¼ cup of the dry mix to 8 ounces of hot water. Whisk or stir to dissolve the cocoa mix. Add marshmallows, shaved chocolate, or a candy cane if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
powdered sugar has cornstarch in it and at least for me after I eat something with cornstarch I can feel a coating on my tongue. That’s the cornstarch it doesn’t really dissolve. I’m surprised.
You can make cocoa on the stove with regular sugar too, it will just take longer to dissolve.
You can make your own powdered sugar by using a high powered blender such as Vitamix or Blendtec. It powders sugar quite well without the addition of cornstarch.
My mom made this years ago, but her recipe also had powdered coffee creamer.
Maybe that was a milk replacement? That’s interesting, Teralyn.
I ran out of Stephen’s Candy Cane Cocoa and needed something for my morning mocha. Thank you so much for this recipe. I, of course, added candy canes left over from Christmas. I appreciate when people take the guess work out of things for me. I only have so much brain power each day 😂. I did spin my powdered milk in the vitamix to make the consistency the same as my Dutch cocoa and powdered sugar. This worked well for me. Maybe I won’t need to buy cocoa from Costco next year 😉
I’m so glad you like it! And if you want to make it a peppermint mix, you can do this too! https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/peppermint-hot-chocolate-recipe/ just follow the instructions to add the “peppermint dust” to the mix.
Thank you so much. Making Christmas gifts and making Baskets for my church and the nonprofit I work for a great fundraiser.
What a great gift idea for the baskets!