Hot Cocoa Recipe with Dry Milk

Make a dry mix hot chocolate recipe, pop it into a mason jar, add a cute tag, and deliver it to neighbors, friends, and teachers. I’m sharing SEVEN recipes for hot cocoa with powdered milk so you can have some variety.

Horizontal close up image of a gift basket in a Ralph Lauren Christmas style with two holiday mugs, gingerbread cookies, and a homemade hot cocoa powder mix recipe in a jar with a fabric cover.
Make this easy hot cocoa recipe mix, add it to a jar, and deliver it with a mug for a homemade warm and cozy Christmas gift.

RELATED READING: 10-Minute Grinch Hot Cocoa Bombs

Hot Cocoa Recipe with Powdered Milk

Here at Ruffles and Rain Boots, I’ve been sharing frugal gift ideas for years. From DIY bath bombs and homemade sugar scrub recipes to gifts in a jar, I am always looking for inexpensive ways to show people we care about them.

Today, I’m sharing seven recipes you can make for an easy hot chocolate mix recipe that has something for everyone.

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Ingredients and Supplies for a DIY Dry Hot Cocoa Mix

There are a few staples you’ll need and most are in your pantry. If you have a lot of these gifts to make like we do, I find buying it online is sometimes less expensive than at my stores.

First, you’ll need a jar or an air tight container of some kind. I prefer glass so I often use mini mason jars, however, you can also use treat bags and add a nice tag.

  • dry milk powder (dairy powdered milk or a non-dairy milk powder will both work)
  • granulated sugar (a fine, white sugar)
  • cocoa powder (unsweetened)
  • mini marshmallows
  • salt

If you want to make a white chocolate hot cocoa mix (we do), all you need to do is buy white chocolate powder. It’s done for you. :)

As for “supplies,” you can just put this all into a bowl and whisk it together with a fork. If you want to be fancy, throw it into a food processor or dry blender to make it a finer texture. Both work.

Vertical image of a mason jar full of hot cocoa mix and a wooden spoon on a wood cutting board in a white farmhouse kitchen with red checkered dish towels and a Christmas cactus.

More Mason Jar Hot Chocolate Recipes

Now, friends… This is where I really shine with my Pinterest-favorite dry hot cocoa mix recipe: I don’t keep it basic for everyone. Here are a few variations and something for everyone.

Psst: if you want a printable page with these variations and a free gift tag, grab the free printable hot chocolate dry mix recipe (no sign up or anything; just print and go).

  • Choc-O-Holly: milk chocolate hot cocoa base + chocolate chips + mini marshmallows
  • Snow-Kissed: white chocolate hot cocoa base + white chocolate chips + mini marshmallows
  • Minty Kissmas: milk chocolate hot cocoa + mint chips + crushed peppermint candies + mini marshmallows
  • Fiery Hot: white chocolate cocoa + red hot candies + mini marshmallows (it’s good when you add an adult beverage to it, as well…)
  • Salted Caramel: chocolate hot cocoa + caramel candies + sea salt + mini marshmallows
  • The Melty Snowman: white hot cocoa mix + snowman icing decorations + mini marshmallows (kid favorite!); can also use sprinkles
  • Ginger Fun: milk chocolate cocoa mix + 1 tsp gingerbread spice mix + gingerbread cookie pieces (or these gingerbread icing decorations); can also use sprinkles

Use your own judgement, but I add as much of the “extras” as to make it visible in the gift jar. Basically, measure it with your heart!

More Holiday Gifts You Might Like

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Split vertical image of a Christmas gift basket and a dry milk hot chocolate mix in a mason jar with text which reads hot cocoa dry mix for holiday gifts.
You can make this hot cocoa mix recipe with powdered milk or a non-dairy dry milk and get a big batch ready for yourself and others.
Yield: 12 Servings

Hot Cocoa Recipe Dry Milk

Square image of a Christmas gift basket with two holiday mugs, gingerbread cookies, and a homemade hot cocoa powder mix recipe in a jar with a fabric cover.

This dry mix hot chocolate recipe is going to be the best gift you give this season. It's inexpensive and there are so many hot cocoa mix recipe variations, there's something for everyone on your list.

Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 cups powdered milk (dry milk powder; can be dairy free)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (for white chocolate, see note below)
  • a pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Place all items into a bowl and mix well. If using a blender or food processor, pulse until incorporated.
  • Transfer the mix into an air-tight jar for storage.
  • If gifting, add 2 tablespoons of the mix for EACH serving and gently shake the jar to settle. Add toppings (below), seal, and add a gift tag with serving instructions.
  • Notes

    If using white chocolate hot cocoa mix, begin at step 2 above. You will not need any additional ingredients, as it is already balanced.

    Recipe Variations for This Hot Cocoa Dry Mix:

    • Choc-O-Holly: milk chocolate hot cocoa base + chocolate chips + mini marshmallows
    • Snow-Kissed: white chocolate hot cocoa base + white chocolate chips + mini marshmallows
    • Minty Kissmas: milk chocolate hot cocoa + mint chips + crushed peppermint candies + mini marshmallows
    • Fiery Hot: white chocolate cocoa + red hot candies + mini marshmallows (it’s good when you add an adult beverage to it, as well...)
    • Salted Caramel: chocolate hot cocoa + caramel candies + sea salt + mini marshmallows
    • The Melty Snowman: white hot cocoa mix + snowman icing decorations + mini marshmallows (kid favorite!); can also use sprinkles
    • Ginger Fun: milk chocolate cocoa mix + 1 tsp gingerbread spice mix + gingerbread cookie pieces (or these gingerbread icing decorations); can also use sprinkles

    Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    12

    Serving Size:

    1

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 287Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 2839mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 2gSugar: 43gProtein: 20g

    All nutrition information is estimated. For accuracy, please calculate your exact brands and ingredients if accuracy is desired.

    Did you make this?

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