December 2, 2019 Updated September 14, 2020 By Rebecca Desserts

3 Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix

Name: 3 Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 7 min
Ingredients: 3.5 ounces Dark Chocolate bar, chopped (I used 85% cocoa); 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 teaspoon cane sugar or sugar substitute; 1/8 teaspoon salt ((optional))

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

Make your own dark hot chocolate with this delicious 5 minute hot cocoa mix, then keep it yourself or turn it into the easiest holiday gift. It makes the most delicious chocolatey, creamy, warming hot chocolate.

3 Ingredient Dark Hot Chocolate Mix in Mug with more mix in background

[This recipe was originally posted in November 2016. It has been updated with new photos, cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, video and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]

How will this hot cocoa mix make your life easier?

This 3 ingredient hot cocoa mix makes a great holiday gift. It’s super easy, quick, inexpensive, and you probably have all the ingredients you need to make it.

Print out simple instructions to 1-1.5 T cocoa mix into 1 cup of milk, then heat. You can also include ideas for the best hot chocolate toppings to make your hot chocolate even more delicious (like peanut butter powder or peppermint).

Make sure to also check out all the best winter seasonal recipes like this warm kale salad with pomegranate dressing, or a simple sauteed kale salad. OR these chocolate dipped oreos, homemade gingerbread mix, or gingerbread pound cake as other holiday gift ideas.

What makes this hot chocolate so good?

Dark Chocolate bar
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Turbinado sugar
Salt

How do I make this homemade cocoa?

Chop up a 3.5 oz dark chocolate bar. Then add to a small mason jar. Add 2 T unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp sugar, and 1/8 tsp salt to jar. Seal lid on jar.

chocolate bar, sugar, cocoa powder, and salt on a table

Expert Tip: Use your favorite chocolate or chocolate chips, I prefer 70% chocolate.

Expert Tip: Make extra to gift or have more for later. Adjust the number of servings in the recipe by clicking the number of servings in the recipe card & sliding the bar until the recipe is the right size.

Store cocoa mix in well sealed jar the pantry until use.

Add 1-1 1/2 tablespoons hot cocoa mix to 8 ounces (1 cup) milk of choice. Heat over stove or in microwave (in 1 minute increments) until desired temperature. Top with whipped cream or other hot chocolate toppings.

hot cocoa with whisk and other ingredients surrounding it on a table

Expert Tip: Add more sugar to cocoa if desired.

Expert Tip: Choose whole milk for the creamiest hot chocolate.

Expert Tips

Use your favorite chocolate or chocolate chips, I prefer 70% chocolate.
Make extra to gift or have more for later. Adjust the number of servings in the recipe by clicking the number of servings in the recipe card & sliding the bar until the recipe is the right size.
Add more sugar to cocoa if desired.
Choose whole milk for the creamiest hot chocolate.

FAQ

How do you make the best instant hot chocolate?

The best way to make delicious instant hot chocolate is to start with great chocolate. Use your favorite chocolate bar and cocoa powder. And of course sugar too! Start with ingredients you like on their own, then you’ll end up with great hot cocoa.

What is hot chocolate mix made of?

Hot chocolate mix is usually made with different types of chocolate, sugar, salt and depending on the brand, preservatives or other ingredients. Hot chocolate mix is usually mixed with hot milk or water.

What can you add to hot chocolate mix to make it better?

I wrote a whole article about making hot chocolate even better with delicious toppings. Check it out here.

How much hot chocolate equals a cup of mix?

Most hot chocolate mix recipes call for 1.5-3 tablespoons of mix per cup of milk/water. You can use more if you like it more chocolatey, or less if you like it less chocolatey.

3 ingredient hot cocoa in a mug with ingredients surrounding it

How can I repurpose this hot cocoa mix?

Gift it
Add it to pancake or waffle mix for a chocolate boost.

Did you make this hot cocoa mix? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!

diy hot cocoa mix in glass jar with ingredients surrounding it and text overlay

Print Pin

5 from 5 votes