Classic Hot Cocoa Mix (and How to Gift It in a Jar)
Three ingredients make 22 mugs of hot cocoa. Plus how to layer it in a jar, what to write on the tag, and five easy add-ins for gift sets.
Hot cocoa mix is the first gift-in-a-jar most people make, and for good reason: three ingredients, ten minutes, and it looks lovely on a shelf. It’s also the jar that disappears fastest from my own pantry once the weather turns.
Why this one works
- Dry milk powder means you only need hot water, so it’s perfect for the office, a dorm room or a camping trip.
- Powdered sugar dissolves instantly. Granulated sugar leaves a gritty layer at the bottom of the mug.
- Unsweetened cocoa gives a real chocolate flavor you can adjust. For a darker, smoother cup, use Dutch-process cocoa.
The secret to a lump-free mug is the paste: stir a spoonful of hot water into the powder first, then add the rest of the water. Four tablespoons of mix to one cup of water is my standard; use five if you like it rich.
Turning it into a gift
A plain jar of cocoa mix is a nice present. A layered one looks like it came from a shop. For a quart jar:
- Make a half batch of the mix, or pour 2¾ cups of it straight from your big jar.
- Pack a layer of mix in the bottom and tap the jar on the counter to level it.
- Add a layer of mini marshmallows, then a layer of chocolate chips or crushed peppermint.
- Fill any gap at the top with more marshmallows so nothing shifts on the way.
- Tie on a tag with the directions: “Stir 4 tbsp mix into 1 cup hot water. Make a paste with a spoonful of water first.”
If you add marshmallows, tell the recipient to shake the jar or scoop from the bottom, since the mix settles under them.
Five easy variations
- Peppermint: a layer of crushed candy canes on top.
- Mexican hot chocolate: 1 teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne whisked into the mix.
- Mocha: 2 tablespoons instant espresso powder per batch.
- Salted caramel: a small bag of caramel bits on top and a note to add a pinch of flaky salt.
- Gift set: the jar, two mugs and a bag of homemade cookie mix in a basket.
Storage
Airtight and dry, the mix keeps about 3 months. Milk powder soaks up moisture, so always use a dry spoon. If you layered marshmallows in, give the gift within a few weeks; they go stale faster than the mix.
My free printables include 36 ready-to-cut gift-in-a-jar tags with the directions already written. And the drinks chapter of The Dry Mix Pantry Cookbook has 19 more: flavored coffee mixes, creamers, chai and herbal teas.
Recipe
Classic Hot Cocoa Mix
In the jar
- 2½ cups nonfat dry milk powder
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Add on cooking day
- 1 cup hot water per mug
Make the mix
- 1Whisk the milk powder, powdered sugar and cocoa together until there are no pale streaks. Sift first if the cocoa or sugar is lumpy.
- 2Spoon into an airtight jar.
To use
- Stir a spoonful of hot water into 4 tbsp of mix to make a smooth paste, then stir in the rest of 1 cup hot water. No lumps.
From The Dry Mix Pantry Cookbook by Maggie Ellery
