A recipe for making a well-balanced cup of holiday cocoa mix from scratch, using white and dark chocolate, cocoa powder, and malted milk powder.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Course: BeveragesCuisine: European20
30
minutes3
cups of mixIngredients
3½ oz. granulated sugar (1/2 cup)
5 oz. white chocolate, 30 to 35% cocoa butter (3/4 cup, finely chopped)
4 oz. bittersweet chocolate, 60% cocoa solids (2/3 cup, finely chopped)
3 oz. natural cocoa powder (1 cup)
2 oz. malted milk powder (1/2 cup)
2 tsp cornstarch (optional)
1 tsp instant espresso powder
1 tsp kosher salt
1 vanilla bean pod, minus the seeds
Mini marshmallows (optional)
Whipped cream (optional)
Directions
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine everything but the vanilla bean and marshmallows. Use many long pulses to grind the mixture until it looks powdery and dry. Transfer to an airtight container and add the vanilla bean. Add marshmallows to the mix, or store them separately. Store mix at cool room temperature.
- To use, scoop as much as 1.5 oz. (3 generous Tbs) of the mix into a tightly sealable, microwavable glass container. Add 6 oz. whole milk. Microwave (without the lid) for 30 seconds. With the lid tightly in place, shake vigorouly for 15 seconds. Remove the lid and microwave for another 30 seconds. Cover and shake again. Continue this process until the cocoa becomes too hot for you to hold the container with your bare hands. Wrap it in a tea towel and shake for a final 30 seconds. The cocoa should froth. Season to taste with additional salt or vanilla if desired, and serve hot, (garnished with cream).
Notes
- Substitutions: moderately toasted sugar for the granulated sugar (you can also substitute double the amount of powdered sugar (or less, to taste) for the granulated sugar), dark chocolate (75 to 80% cocoa solids) for the bittersweet, Dutch process for the natural cocoa
Intro
We like to give this cocoa mix as a gift, with a packet of mini marshmallows, a cool mug, and homemade cookies.
This is a well-balanced cup of cocoa. Certainly as good as the best mixes I’ve ever had, better than most.
I’m not sure how long this mix will last in your cupboard. White chocolate chips might have the shortest shelf life of all the ingredients, and they’re good for at least two years. I usually find myself finishing a batch of this mix a year after having made it, and it’s still perfect.
Social Learning
Tips & Tricks
I like the microwave method because it froths the milk. I use repurposed jelly jars or canning jars for this. Alternatives: you could…
- Whisk the mix and milk together as you heat it up on the stovetop. This works quite well, but it takes longer than the microwave.
- Stir the mix into hot milk. I’d worry that you might not get as homogenous a mix as you might like, but I nonetheless think this could work. The milk would have to be very hot.
- Pour the mix and hot milk into a blender or use a stick blender on it. This would work beautifully, but it would involve more cleanup than the microwave method.
Since you make the mix yourself, you can tweak it to your tastes: more or less chocolate, a higher mix-to-milk ratio … add cinnamon and/or ground chile. You can adjust the sugar, too. For instance, if you’d like it sweeter, try 5 oz. granulated (3/4 cup).
You can use any kind of milk. Well, I say “any,” but it’s not like I’ve tried them all. You know your preferred milk better than I do. Different fat percentages of cow’s milk will produce different textures; I like whole milk for this, but most of the time I make it with 2%.
Cocoa is made with cocoa powder, and hot chocolate is made with chocolate. This mix has both, so it’s a hybrid. It’s got much of the creaminess of a hot chocolate, yet it’s easier to prepare than hot chocolate. I think it’s a beautiful as-is, but if you want it creamier, you could easily adjust the ingredients to include more chocolate, or add a shot of cream or half-n-half to your milk. However, try it as-is before you do that; I think it’s perfectly creamy.
Ideas for Further Cooking
For interesting additions, such as peppermint or Cointreau, see my “by the cup” post.
Tips for Getting the Most out of Your Cocoa, If You’re a Guy
First, you’ll need a sporty, woodsy jacket with a red-and-green plaid scarf. You’ll also neeed to drink it while sitting on a bench outside in the snow, with no apparent need for gloves. Most guys hold the cup with one hand, but don’t be afraid to use two if you’re comfortable with with your own natural masculinity. Also, don’t wear a hat if you have lustrous, perfectly styled hair that perfectly frames your crystal blue eyes. And why are you sitting on that bench, when you should be in the woodshop, or overseeing the workmen who are restoring the generational timber lodge that’s been in your family for generations? Just a quick, two-hour drive from … Chicago??? I’m not sure how that works, but let’s not get distracted. You’re on that bench because you’re having a heart-to-heart with the adorable preteen daughter whom you’re raising alone since your wife passed away exactly three years ago. I know you don’t feel that you’re ready to date, even though your daughter is constantly trying to fix you up, but it’s not too late for you to find love again, especially at Christmas. And cocoa will make all of that possible.
Homemade Holiday Cocoa Mix
Credit for images on this page: Make It Like a Man! unless otherwise credited. This content was not solicited by anyone, nor was it written in exchange for anything. References: I Am Baker, Serious Eats, The Pioneer Woman. Thank you, Kesor. Make It Like a Man! is ranked by Feedspot as #15 in the Top 30 Men’s Cooking Blogs.
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Use the large pasta plates for the cutouts, add 4 very heaping Tbs mix.
Cela fait un beau petit cadeau c’est chouette
Bravo
Thank you!
This sounds delicious!!! And a great gift idea.
Thank you, Mimi!
I love how you’ve made this extra decadent by using both white and dark chocolate, in addition to cocoa powder… but my favorite part is the touch of expresso. Brilliant!
Thank you, Heidi!
Methinks a little bit of homework will lead to some interesting results . . . I had never thought about all these possibilities 🙂 !
If you make improvements, I would love to hear them!
oh j’adore! bravo
bonne journée
bisous
Thank you!
This sounds very good. I would only give it to my very best friends.
Nice choice!
Your “hot cocoa vs. hot chocolate” debate is spot on; it’s about time cocoa got its due respect! For me I call it cocoa, not chocolate I guess becuase thats what were used to in the Philippines
Thanks! It didn’t occur to me that there was a debate until I looked up the difference online, and discovered it.
I ‘d like to try and I think it’s a great gift idea perfect for Christmas
Thank you, Javier!
A real treat and an excellent gift idea.
Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones
Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you, too!
My hot chocolate is just boring compared to your decadent one Jeff. And you’ve got espresso in it too which just makes it sound even better! Hope you have a great Christmas and New Year!
Well let me tell you, Neil, you could whip this up in a pretty easy fifteen minutes, and having in in a container, ready to go whenever you want it! Merry Christmas to you, too!
What a great gift idea. I love a rich hot chocolate on a rainy day. Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays to you, too, Gerlinde!
What a delightful holiday cocoa mix recipe! Adding a pinch of cinnamon or crushed candy canes could make it even more festive.
This mix is also great for gifting. Pair it with a cute jar and mini marshmallows for a thoughtful holiday treat.
Thank you for sharing such a cozy and creative idea!
You’re welcome!
this sounds so delicious Jeff! I love the mix of chocolates. And I love that wonderful mug. So Christmassy. Have a fab Christmas.
cheers
sherry
Thank you!
Forgot to say I love malted milk powder! It adds such a great taste, and reminds me of childhood milkshakes. The old-fashioned milk bars always made theirs with malt!
sherry
Thanks! I think it gives a bit of dimension to the hot chocolate. But yes, I’d love a malted milkshake any day!
Lucky are your friends who receive this! I have to start rethinking my daily cocoa!
Daily cocoa! I knew we were long-lost twins somehow.
I use the terms hot cocoa and hot chocolate interchangeably. This is a wonderful recipe and I love the idea of giving it as a gift with a special mug and homemade cookies.Yum.
Thanks, Judee!
Nothing quite like a cup of perfect hot cocoa on a cool day. So cozy! I love that mug, by the way. I bet you made a lot of folks happy with this recipe/gift. 🙂 ~Valentina
Thanks, Valentina!
C’est très intéressant, mon garçon et ma petite fille adorent les boissons chocolatées, je note !!
Well then maybe they’d love this! Thanks!