This polar vortex seeping the country has left many wondering if spring will ever started peeking through. Here in NC, we’ve had a two hour delayed start to school or complete cancellation nearly every day for the last two weeks. Yes, we don’t do cold, ice and snow well down here.
But there is one thing this northerner, moved to the south, mom does very well – Hot chocolate.
How is it possible that so many cozy memories flood to the surface just by stirring up a cup of this delight?
Now, for all of you northerners who scoff aloud at our “winter weather”, I grew up in WI and trust me, at first, I chuckled oo until I realized just how dangerous that black ice is and there just isn’t the capability of getting it off the streets. Plus, I fully admit that my blood has thinned and I can no longer handle frigid temps.
I’ve admitted it. I’m a wimp.
So when this last snow storm hit, I realized for the first time since I birthed our first child twenty years ago, that I was officially out of store bought hot chocolate with the crunchy fake marshmallows.
(What’s with my children loving the fake marshmallows?)
Actually, this easy homemade hot chocolate recipe has been a staple in my recipe box since I first got married. Do you see the cute flower cards? Definitely circa 1993. It was passed down to me and it has come in handy many times.
There are varying ways to make homemade hot chocolate.
I like to play around with this variation by adding some spices or mixing it with milk, instead of water for a very rich hot chocolate. Some readers even said they’ve doubled the sugar and hot chocolate, but that’s a bit too sweet for me. Every one’s sweet tooth is different.
But trust me, it’s best topped with homemade marshmallows. Every one needs to try them at least once.
It’s wonderful to make hot chocolate fresh every time over the stove, but often, I need it on demand and so I love to make this in bulk and keep it stored for any occasion.
It’s perfect to have ready as simple gift to say “thank you.”
Plus, to make this more decadent, I love adding my favorite chocolate chips right into the hot cocoa, stirring them in, but letting a few melt to the bottom. The last few sips are always the best.
Plus, I believe this brings my love of all things Mason Jars post to 51. ( 50 uses for Mason Jars – one of my favorite posts.)
So don’t delay. You probably have most of these ingredients right in your pantry.
(First posted January 2014 and reposted now because our son is getting married AND I AM SWAMPED :))
Recipe: Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Summary: Whip up this easy homade hot chocolate mix recipe anytime you need a cup of cozy delight. There’s nothing better.
Ingredients
- 2 cups instant non-fat dry milk powder
- 1 cup sugar (powdered or granular works too)
- 3/4 cup powdered nondairy creamer
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- mini marshmallows
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the creamer, milk powder, sugar, salt, and cocoa powder.
- Mix to combine.
- Pour into air tight container or freezer bag for storage.
- Add 1/3 cup of cocoa mix to 1 cup boiling water. (Or use 1/2 hot milk for a more decadent cocoa.)
- Mix well.
- Add chocolate chips and stir until melted. Depending on how “chocolatey” you want it, the amount will vary. Taste test will tell.
- Sprinkle top with mini marshmallows and whip cream.
Preparation time: 5 minute(s)
Oooh, yum! Thank you for the recipe. Sounds much better than the instant.
I’m a wimp, too 🙂 Born and raised in upstate New York and Ohio but spent the last 13 years in central Florida. Now we moved to north Texas and are having 20 and 30 degree days. Freezing my tail off!
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Jen Reply:
January 30th, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Us wimps can stand tall and stick together. 🙂
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This looks tasty, but I’m a little confused by the instructions to use the mix. Do you use 1/3 of the amount that you’ve made? Or should it be 1/3 cup? Thanks!
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Jen Reply:
January 30th, 2014 at 10:46 pm
Oops – My mind typed cup, but my fingers never did. 🙂 Yes, 1/3 cup of cocoa mix added to 1 cup water.
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As a Wisconsinite transplanted {thankyouLordJesus} to Knoxville over 30 years ago, I can relate to thin blood and being a total whiney-wuss when the mercury dips below 40. My family doesn’t understand everything coming to a screeching halt at the mere prediction of snow.
Ask my friend whose son spent 26 hours trying to get home from his Atlanta office the other day. It’s nothing to trifle with.
This recipe sounds amazing and I’ll be whipping up a batch and sharing with my children to enjoy at their homes. What a great idea!
Sure wish my extended family would buy into a 200 year generational project… your parents are pretty brilliant.
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Jen Reply:
January 31st, 2014 at 2:51 pm
Yes, we northern transplants will stick together. And yes, that Atlanta nightmare was incredibly, wasn’t it? I couldn’t believe the news reports, but I can kind of understand if the roads weren’t prepared.
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Is there any reason why you couldn’t just add the chocolate chips to the mix in the jar? Just trying to simplify things for this busy momma.
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Jen Reply:
November 19th, 2014 at 2:53 pm
Laurie- that would work just fine as well. You may just enjoy it extra chocolatey, but who doesn’t, right? 😉
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Just wanted to check out your 4. instruction – When you say you can use 1/2 hot milk for a more decadent cocoa, do you mean 1/2 cup of boiling water and 1/2 cup hot milk instead of just the 1 cup boiling water? Thanks!
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Jen Reply:
November 20th, 2014 at 1:09 pm
Yes, half water and half milk instead of all water. You can actually do all milk too, which is really rich. 🙂
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I was wondering what brand of powdered milk you use. I have a recipe I have been using for years, and we always used the box of “Carnation Powdered Milk that makes 8 Quarts”. One year my Mother decided to try a cheaper Powdered Milk, and she had to throw out the whole batch of Hot Cocoa, because it did not taste good. Now I can’t find the” Makes 8 quart box of Carnation Powdered Milk”. I have been afraid to try other brands. Our recipe uses the whole box of Powdered Milk.
Thanks!
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Jen Reply:
November 30th, 2014 at 1:34 pm
I have purchased it in bulk and also used Carnation. You can’t find it anymore? Hmm…it was in our local grocer. Let me check around.
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I love homemade cocoa- I don’t really like the envelopes- plus for the kids in my house, it gets them to have milk! I like your idea to put in chocolate chips, but I highly recommend what my kids taught me: drop in a hershey kiss- melty and yum!
Good to know from “East Texas Lady” on powdered brands…I have never used powdered milk, but have a few make ahead recipes to try-
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This looks really good, I’m going to make it for Christmas gifts for my coworkers, can you tell me how many servings this makes? Thank you and Merry Christmas!
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Found this on Pinterest and am making it now! I’m not sure if you know, but you can buy the crunchy, fake marshmallows now!
Kraft jet-puffed marshmallow bits! They can be tricky to find. Target has them on a high shelf in the same location as regular marshmallows
They are in a container that resembles a parmesan cheese shaker.
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Jen Reply:
March 20th, 2015 at 1:21 pm
I have never used them, but I am certainly going to look. Thanks so much. 🙂
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