You can make Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix at home and save money. You may even want to put this in a pretty jar and give it for a gift.
You were one lucky kid if you grew up with the kind of mother who would greet you at the door with a steaming cup of hot cocoa after a long day of sledding and snowball fights. While it’s probably a long time since your mother clipped your mittens to your coat sleeves, it doesn’t mean the days of warming your bones with a delicious cup of hot cocoa have to be over.
This recipe recreates the classic taste of Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix for a fraction of the cost of any store-bought mix out there. All you need are three ingredients and a few seconds to stir together with a winter’s worth of warmth. Save it for yourself and your family, or give as a thoughtful holiday gift.
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So Much Better Than the Stuff in the Pouches
Not only is making your hot cocoa mix at home cheaper than the commercial products, but you also get the chance to make it the way you like it. Try some of these add-ins to make your mix special.
- Add a 1/2 teaspoon of instant espresso powder per serving for an additional caffeine kick.
- Add a 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper things spicy. Chili peppers go surprisingly well with chocolate.
- A sprinkling of fresh nutmeg and cinnamon (and perhaps a splash of rum) transforms hot cocoa into a holiday-worthy drink.
- Finely crush half a peppermint candy and mix with each serving of hot cocoa for some serious Christmas cheer.
The Difference Between Hot Cocoa and Hot Chocolate
It is essential to know that this recipe is not for the best hot chocolate mix but is for the best hot cocoa mix. Many people use the terms “hot chocolate” and “hot cocoa” interchangeably, but there is a difference. So. what is it?
You make hot cocoa with cocoa powder, milk, and sugar. It is thinner in consistency than hot chocolate and has significantly fewer calories. On the other hand, hot chocolate contains finely chopped chocolate melted in hot milk and then thinned out slightly with a splash of heavy cream. Loaded with fat and exceedingly thick, most folks drink real hot chocolate from small, espresso-sized cups. Authentic hot chocolate is pretty rare in the US, although it is popular in Europe and Central and South America.
If you want to try making your own hot chocolate, you don’t need a homemade hot chocolate mix. Just heat a cup and a half of whole milk in a small saucepan until warm. Add 8 ounces of chopped dark chocolate and continuously stir until the chocolate melts. Turn off the heat and stir in a half cup of heavy cream and serve immediately in small cups.
Tips For Serving and Storing Homemade Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix
- Everyone loves whipped cream and marshmallows. Homemade whipped cream and homemade marshmallows are even better!
- Add caramel flavor. Dissolve a soft caramel chew in your hot cocoa for a delightful taste.
- Keep your mix dry. Store your hot cocoa mix in a glass jar or sealed plastic bag in the cupboard away from the light and moisture.
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Swiss Miss Ingredients
What you need to make hot chocolate mix:
- Powdered Milk
- Sugar
- Cocoa Powder
How to Make Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix
- Sift all ingredients together three times.
- Store this mixture in a tightly sealed container in a cool place.
- When ready to use, you can add a couple of heaping tablespoons to hot water.
Love chocolate? Try these recipes:
- Mrs Fields Cookie Recipe
- Triple Chocolate Meltdown
- Chocolate Syrup Recipe
- Chocolate Fondue Recipe
- Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe
- Easy Chocolate Pie
- Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
- Chocolate Covered Truffles
- Chocolate Melting Cake
More Hot Chocolate Recipes
Be sure to check out more of my DIY recipes and easy drink recipes.
Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix
Ingredients
- 16 ounces powdered milk
- 1 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup cocoa
Instructions
- Sift all ingredients together three times. Store this mixture in a tightly sealed container in a cool place. When ready to use, you can add a couple of heaping tablespoons to hot water.
Unclassified Jerk
This is so cool! Tastes EXACTLY like the real thing (assuming you do it right) and even better! Drank with a BUNCH of whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and marshmallows!
Betty Parker
This recipe has been around since the 80’s, I found it in a school cookbook, but I added mini marshmallows and coffee mate to the mix, and it made around 60 servings, kids loved it! Just make sure you put it in a air tight container.
Gabriela
How many tablespoons of the mix should I add to a cup of water? Thanks
Drew Carrell
Does this use granulated sugar or powdered sugar?
Angela
Granulated sugar
Bill Wielenbeck
I’ve used this recipe several times, make sure you use Nestle’s Tollhouse cocoa powder and not Hersey’s, Herseys came out horrible, the bottom third of your mug turns out gritty and clumpy, not very good, Nestle’s always turns out great, (I haven’t used store brands yet to say either way)
Stephanie
thanks for letting me know what brands worked out well. I often pick up Hersheys, next time I will pick up Nestle.
Heidimarie
This recipe was great, thank you so much. I also added non dairy creamer powder to it and a bit more sugar to take away the bitter taste from cocoa powder. We also tricramered it just using non dairy creamer instead of the non fat dry milk. Tasted great also.
Any copy cat recipes for “sugar free swiss miss cocoa”?
Tasha
What is tricramared?
Liz Nelson
This turned out so good! And it was cheep to make!