There’s something about a rainy winter day that just begs for a cup of hot chocolate. I grew up with the store-bought hot chocolate packets, but in my quest of going homemade many years ago, I started making our hot cocoa mix and have never looked back.
Why homemade?
Hot cocoa mix is ridiculously simple to make. It’s also cheaper, healthier (I don’t even recognize some of the ingredients on store-bought packets), and way less wasteful in terms of packaging. I also love that once I make a batch of this, I put it in a large Mason jar and it lasts for such a long time; it’s rare that I suddenly run out. (And, an added bonus, I don’t have to support companies like Nestle.)
How?
There are a ton of recipes online. Some use powdered milk in them, so you can just add water. This mix might be really good if you’re on the move or on a camping trip. At home, I tend to like the recipes with just cocoa, sugar, and salt that can be mixed with cow milk or alternative milk. Someday, I’d love to do a taste test comparison, but so far I just stick with the first one I tried, which I found in Jennifer Reese’s book Make the Bread, Buy the Butter. I make a big batch and store it in a Mason jar with the “recipe” written on a label on top. Her recipe also suggests adding vanilla extract after everything has been mixed.
Gift Ideas
Homemade cocoa mix is a very simple gift, but also a very welcome one. Small Mason jars of cocoa mix would be great for neighbors or co-workers or even party favors. A larger jar could stand on its own as a gift, especially when decorated with ribbon or a nice label. Cocoa jars could be a fun addition to a homemade food basket. And, you could even make your own Hot Cocoa Basket and include jars of crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, vanilla extract, cinnamon sticks or spice, measuring spoons, mugs, or anything else that might be a tasty complement to the cocoa.
Hope you enjoy!