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0.37
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The recipe prices will vary based on fluctuating grocery costs. Please use what is posted as a guide.
Show your loved ones you care with this thoughtful and effortless DIY Hot Chocolate Mix Gift! It’s budget-friendly and perfect for spreading holiday cheer to teachers, neighbors, and friends.
It only costs approximately $0.37 per serving to make this drink. The recipe makes ten servings for about $3.73.
Table of Contents
What You’ll Love About This Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe:
- Customizable:You can tailor the mix to the recipient’s preferences by using different flavorings like chocolate, peppermint, or caramel or adding mix-ins like marshmallows or crushed candy canes.
- Superior flavor:Our homemade hot chocolate mix uses higher-quality ingredients over store-bought mixes, resulting in a richer, more decadent taste.
- Cost-effective:Making your hot chocolate mix is typically much cheaper than buying pre-made mixes, especially if you plan on giving multiple people gifts.
- Easy to make:Our recipe is simple and requires minimal ingredients and effort.
DIY Hot Chocolate Mix Gift
This is such a delicious and gift-able treat!
Spread holiday cheer with this easy and thoughtful DIY Hot Chocolate Mix Gift in adorable mason jars! It’s a perfect way to show teachers, friends, and neighbors appreciation. Add a cute mug to go with it for a personalized touch.
Bonus: the kiddos can join in the fun and help you make and assemble the jars, making it a meaningful, memory-making activity for the whole family.
Ingredients & Estimated Cost:
Recipe Cost: $3.73
Per Serving: $0.37
- 2 cups instant dry milk – $1.92
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder – $0.90
- 2 cups powdered sugar – $0.80
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar – $0.11
The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. To find out more about how we price our recipes, check outBudget Recipes Explained. The pricing for this recipe was updated in February 2024.
DIY Hot Chocolate Mix Instructions:
***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.
- Sift dry milk into a large bowl.
- Sift in powdered sugar.
- Next, sift in cocoa powder.
- Add granulated sugar.
- Whisk to combine.
- Transfer the mix to an airtight container for storing or gifting.
Homemade Cocoa Mix Variations & Substitutions:
- Flavors:Add mix-ins, such as peppermint and almond extract, to the hot chocolate.
- Make it a gift:Make your hot chocolate gift extra special by adding toppings galore! Think marshmallows (flavored or classic!), chocolate chips, sprinkles, and candy canes – perfect for customizing each cup.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Storage Tips
Serve:Combine the mix with warm milk in a mug and top with desired toppings.
Store: Store the mix in an airtight jar for up to 3 months.
Freeze: Place the mix in an airtight jar and freeze for up to 6 months.
Recipe FAQs:
What is the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate?
While often used interchangeably, hot cocoa and hot chocolate have subtle differences. Hot cocoa boasts a thinner body and sweeter taste, typically made with cocoa powder, sugar, and milk. On the other hand, hot chocolate offers a richer, thicker experience by using melted chocolate and milk, resulting in a less sweet profile.
Do you make hot chocolate with milk or water?
For the ultimate creamy and rich hot chocolate, always opt for milk over water. Whole milk provides the creamiest, sweetest flavor, but you can customize your drink with different milk types to suit your taste.
Get Kids Involved:
Ages 2-3: Turn baking into a counting adventure! Let your little one help measure the dry ingredients, counting each scoop or cup as they go.
Ages 4-5:Empower your little chef! Let them take the lead by pre-measuring the ingredients for the hot cocoa mix. They can also help clean the jars, fostering a sense of accomplishment and responsibility.
Ages 6-8: Turn your child into a junior chef! Let them measure the ingredients, helping them gently to mix them together. Guide their hands to pour the mix into the jars, then encourage them to try independently on the next jar.
Ages 9-11: Encourage them to attempt the recipe independently. Remind them to read the recipe twice before starting, guiding them as they measure the ingredients and mix the hot cocoa mix. Be present for safety, but also celebrate their independent steps along the way.
Ages 12+: Your child can measure and mix the ingredients while you are close by for any questions and ready to celebrate their delicious creation with a happy dance.
DIY Hot Cocoa Mix Budget Tips:
Spread holiday cheer with this affordable and thoughtful DIY Hot Chocolate Mix Gift! It’s a budget-friendly way to show appreciation to loved ones, including friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors.
This recipe yields enough mix to fill two 16-ounce mason jars, costing approximately $6.23 for both the mix and the jars. It’s a delightful and cost-effective way to personalize your holiday gifting!
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DIY Hot Chocolate Mix
Recipe Cost 3.73
Serving Cost 0.37
Author An Easy Budget Recipes Original!
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
This DIY Hot Chocolate Mix Gift is an easy, cost-effective gift for the holiday season. We love packaging it and giving it to teachers, neighbors, and friends along with some cute mugs.
Servings: 10 people
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Total Time 10 minutes mins
Equipment
measuring cups
large mixing bowl
mixing spoon
Mason jars
Ingredients
HOT CHOCOLATE MIX:
- 2 cups instant dry milk
- 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder sifted
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
ADD INS: (optional)
- ½ cup chocolate chips white, milk or semi-sweet
- Mini marshmallows
- Peppermint extract
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE MIX:
In a large bowl, add dry milk. Sift powdered sugar on top of the dry milk.
Then, sift the cocoa powder on top of the powdered sugar.
Add granulated sugar and whisk until well combined.
Transfer the mix to airtight containers for gifting.
The mix can be stored in an airtight jar for up to 3 months.
MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE:
To make hot chocolate, add ⅓ cup of the mix to a mug, stir in 1 cup of warm milk until combined. Add toppings of your choice and serve.
Video
Nutrition
Serving: 0.33cup | Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 99mg | Potassium: 472mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 239IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 245mg | Iron: 1mg
Love this recipe?Follow @EasyBudgetRecipes or tag #EasyBudgetRecipes!
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Reader Interactions
Comments
GUSTAVO says
I love this recipe and the idea of having readily made a hot chocolate mix to make it super fast! Thank you!Reply
Saif says
I could definitely use this hot chocolate mix recipe for my drinks, cakes or dessert. Best part is that I can keep it for other daysReply
Natalie says
DIY Christmas gifts are the best. I love receiving them and making them for my family and friends. I just saved your recipe. I will give gift it to my mom and dad. They love hot chocolate. Thanks!Reply
Farrah says
Seasonal and beautiful! Absolutely love this idea for holiday gifts, thanks for the recipe !Reply
Heather says
I always do a DIY gift for all my coworkers each year and was looking for a new idea to try this year. Can’t wait to make up batches of this to give them!Reply
Lisalia says
What a brilliant idea for neighbor gifts! EVERYONE (practically everyone) loves hot cocoa. This is affordable and perfect for crowds. Thanks for this awesome recipe!Reply
Paula says
can u use boiling water as well, instead of warm milk.
Reply
Jess Jankowski says
Hi Paula, yes you can use water instead of milk, it will just not be as creamy.
Cindy Tubbs says
I love this. I haven’t made this in years. I was thinking I used coffee creamer instead of powdered sugar. I wonder if it would still be sweet
Reply
Jess Jankowski says
We haven’t tried it…let us know how it goes!
