Want a reliable, or even gourmet hot chocolate mix when you’re short on time that doesn’t suffer in quality? Give this one a try!
My sister asked me for a hot chocolate mix recipe a few years back. So I gave her a recipe I had never tried from a reliable source. Shortly after, I got excited and made it for myself. I threw it all away after my first try.
So this year when she asked for a new recipe, I decided to try making my own out of the ingredients I actually use when I make hot chocolate. No dried milk, white chocolate, or cornstarch….no sir! Keep it simple with high quality chocolate, both bits and powder, sugar, and vanilla, straight from the bean.
For the chocolate morsels, you can go with Ghirardelli or Guittard for a nice quality option at not a crazy price, and you can usually find these in any grocery store. If you are wanting to go a little bit more gourmet, try Scharffen Bergerchocolate chunks (hit and miss in grocers), or if you are all out gourmet, Amano is always a fav (must order online).
For the cocoa powder, you can go dutch-processed or natural. Dutch-processed is alkalized. This process takes out a bit of the bitterness and produces a rich and intense chocolate flavor, so some prefer it for that, and it can be a bit better for mixing into drinks and baking. However, either is fine. We just use a little less powder if going natural unsweetened cocoa powderto take the edge off.
If goingdutch-processed cocoa powder (alkalized), we love using Valrhona brand. For straight up natural cocoa powder, Scharffen Berger is a great option. And, just so you know, the quality of your chocolate does matter, a ton! Although I’m not the biggest fan of Hershey’s, if you do want to go that route (especially since it’s the most common and easy to find in a grocery store), try their Hershey’s Special Dark Dutch-Processed Cocoa Powder.
Phew! That’s a lot of recommendations, and honestly, you might have trouble finding some in your normal grocery store. Here’s a quick summary again, and you can pretty much find all of these on Amazon.
We are doing edible-gifts-in-a-jar series over the next few days and ending with a great round-up from our blog and some other blogger friends! Gifts in a jar are a great way to spread Christmas cheer to friends and family without breaking the bank. And really, if you find the right ideas, it doesn’t have to take a lot of time to make them either. Thishot chocolate mix isa sure winner for any chocolate lover!
ARE YOU A CHOCOLATE LOVER? ARE YOU A DARK OR MILK KINDA PERSON? WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE BRAND? LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW AND LET US KNOW!
CourseDrink
CuisineQuick 'N Easy
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Ingredients
- 1cupand 1/2 chocolate chips - we like Ghirardelli or Guittard or any other high-quality brand that you likedark, milk, or semi-sweet, or even a combo, i.e. Amano, Scharffen Berger
- 1cupgranulated sugar
- 1grade A vanilla beanoptional
- Dash of table salt
- 2/3cupdutch-processed cocoa or 1/2 cup cocoa powderI love Valrhona, for non-alkalized, Scharffen Berger is one of our favorites
Instructions
In a food processor or blender, grind chocolate chips until they resemble a powder, or small pebbles.
Slice vanilla bean in half lengthwise, use knife to scrape seeds. Put seeds and bean into sugar. Massage for about one minute.
Mix vanilla sugar, chocolate, and cocoa. Place in a plastic bag and store in dark cupboard or inside paper bag to reserve cocoa flavor. You may also store in a glass canning jar or tin for you or for gifting. (Just a quick note: darker containers are better for storing chocolate. Flavor will suffer and diminish over time if chocolate is left in light. However, in a plastic bag or glass jar, the mixture will still be very good for about a month.)
For using:
Add 2 tablespoons hot chocolate mix to 8 ounces scalding milk for a rich hot cocoa.
Sit for 1 minute to let chocolate bits dissolve. Stir.(You can also substitute a couple tablespoons of heavy cream to get an extra-super rich hot cocoa!)
Add whipped cream, caramel sauce, peppermint, or anything else you'd like for mix-ins.
Recipe Notes
Dress it Up:
Add in 1-2 crushed candy canes or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the mix for a little different finish.
The following two tabs change content below.
Food Apparel
I'm Christina and I love to eat! And I love to talk about food! And I love to find the best techniques to create the perfect dish. Sometimes I want fancy, sometimes I want quick, and sometimes I just want some comfort. I created the FoodApparel community to celebrate "dressing food for every occasion."
Latest posts by Food Apparel (see all)
- No-Bake Cheesecake Cookie Dip Recipe with Balsamic Drizzle - November 29, 2018
- How to Host a Hot Chocolate Bar - December 5, 2017
- Black Bean Sweet Potato Chili Recipe - September 23, 2017
FAQs
The source of the chocolate flavour is different. Hot Chocolate is made using solid chocolate melted in warm milk or cream. Hot Cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa with added sugar and dissolved in hot water or hot milk.
What do baristas use to make hot chocolate? ›
I work as a barista on the side, and our shops use sauces for hot chocolates and mochas. Most use Monin dark chocolate sauce, which we lightly dilute with hot water before topping off with steamed milk.
Why cornstarch in hot cocoa mix? ›
The cornstarch version thickened quickly, making the hot chocolate very thick and creamy, and in the end we decided on a combination of cornstarch and confectioner's sugar, for the ideal texture and sweetness.
What is the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate? ›
Marshmallows: The Unsung Hero
Believe it or not, the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate is none other than marshmallows. These fluffy, sweet confections are the unsung heroes of the hot chocolate world, adding a delightful creaminess and hint of sweetness that takes the drink to a whole new level.
How do you upgrade your hot chocolate? ›
The 15 Best Things To Add To Hot Chocolate
- Add an extract. A quick and easy way to add flavor to your hot chocolate is by adding a splash of your favorite extract. ...
- Sprinkle in warm spices. ...
- Mix in Nutella. ...
- Swirl in caramel. ...
- Spike it. ...
- Infuse it with orange. ...
- Swap regular sugar for maple syrup. ...
- Add a shot (of coffee)
Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.
What is the best cocoa powder to make hot chocolate? ›
You could also use oat milk or any dairy-free milk you'd like along with the coconut milk! Unsweetened cocoa powder: a high-quality cocoa powder or cacao powder is essential. I highly recommend using Ghirardelli's 100% cocoa. I think it has the best flavor for hot chocolate (and trust me, I've tried quite a few!)
What is coffee and hot chocolate called? ›
What exactly is mocha? A mocha is a blend of a cappuccino and a hot chocolate. Like a cappuccino it contains espresso, warm milk and a frothy top but it also contains a sweet chocolatey twist using either chocolate powder, chocolate syrup or melted chocolate.
What do McDonald's use for their hot chocolate? ›
Ingredients: Sugar, Allergen Ingredient: Skimmed MILK, 10% Fat Reduced Cocoa, Vegetable Oil (Palm), Whey Powder (Allergen Ingredient: MILK), Salt, Stabiliser (Trisodium Citrate), Flavouring, Emulsifier (Allergen Ingredient: SOYA Lecithin).
What kind of chocolate does Starbucks use for their hot chocolate? ›
Starbucks® Signature Chocolate 42%
A velvety and smooth drinking chocolate, crafted with 42% cocoa powder for the ultimate hot chocolate experience.
Yes, you can. With premium machines, simply add your favourite chocolate or malt drink mixture to the cup and press the milk only button (or if applicable) latte button twice in quick succession to deliver milk only and adjust the milk carafe dial to the correct setting.
How to make Swiss Miss hot chocolate better? ›
Other Ways to Upgrade Your Hot Chocolate:
- caramel.
- a scoop of ice cream.
- cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla extract.
- orange zest.
- a tablespoon of fresh-brewed espresso or coffee.
- peppermint stick.
- dark, milk, or white chocolate shavings.
- coconut or almond milk (use in place of regular milk)
Cornflour/Cornstarch: Mix a small amount with cold milk or water to create a smooth paste. Whisk this into your hot chocolate towards the end of the cooking process until it thickens. Double Cream: Stirring in a splash of double cream can instantly enrich and thicken your drink, giving it a velvety texture.
What gives hot cocoa its flavor? ›
“Water gives you more of the flavor of whatever cocoa or chocolate you're using,” she says, “so over the years whenever I work on a recipe, make opinions about it, or experiment, I want to start with that.” If you want the hot chocolate to be creamy, you can add a bit of milk, cream, or whipped cream, she notes, which ...
Does hot chocolate powder taste better with milk or water? ›
Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.
How do you take the bitterness out of hot chocolate? ›
If you're new to cacao, and/or have quite a sweet tooth, we recommend weening yourself onto the bitter tastes by making your hot cacao drink with all oat milk which is naturally sweet and adding 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup or honey.
What can you do if your hot chocolate tastes very sweet? ›
If you don't want your hot chocolate to be too sweet, avoid using sweetened condensed milk or any flavored milk in the mixture. Instead, opt for plain milk with no added sugar or low-calorie coffee creamer. If you want to get a different sensation or if you want a dairy-free option, use unsweetened almond milk.
Does sugar make hot chocolate taste better? ›
Gourmet Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe
All you do is mix good quality cocoa with sugar and then add milk. This is going to be richer and darker not just because of the cocoa but because of the fresh milk instead of nonfat dry milk. You can add a little vanilla to adjust the flavor if you like.
