Hershey’s DIY Hot Cocoa Mix is a quick and easy recipe to have on hand during the winter months. It’s been an unseasonably warm winter so far in New Hampshire. How ’bout where you are? Christmas Eve day was a balmy 64° here. Our shovels are all lined up, just waiting!!!
We sigh and moan about the white stuff, but truthfully, deep down in our heart of hearts, we New Englanders relish a good Nor’easter. (I hear the muttered whispers… “Speak for yourself. ” Yeah yeah yeah, I’m not the shoveler.) Our first storm of the season arrived last night, which is why I’ve got homemade hot chocolate on the brain.
I’m mixing up a quick batch of Hershey’s DIY Hot Cocoa Mix, for when the first kid comes in whining after ten minutes. “It’s too cold out.” The novelty of snow wears off quickly around here.
In fact, the January we moved back to the Northeast from South Carolina in 2004 just happened to be the coldest on record for decades. Figures. My blood was thin, and my feet were always freezing. But our little guys? They were born in the south and practically in shock with the -10 and -15 degree days.
Within a week of arriving back, Jon had business in northern VT and together we headed to St. Albans which rests on the Canadian border. Just prior to heading north, the heater in our old Volvo wagon died, so we borrowed a car for the northern trek. Stopping for a fill-up and dry gas in northern VT, another customer mentioned the thermometer at his house read -40 degrees that morning. We’re talking freezing. Frigid.
Antarctica and Siberia.
In the wee hours, we’d bundled up for the trip. My boys both resembled Ralphie from The Christmas Story movie: immobilized. Scarves, hats, puffy coats, boots and mittens. The layers made movement difficult, if nearly impossible, especially for our inexperienced little southern boys. We needed a refresher course too. With a three hour journey north, we were eager to get on the road. Jon got Jacob (3) buckled in with the extra layers, but in the rearview mirror I could see Jonathan (5) struggling.
“Honey, buckle your seatbelt,” I called back. “We can’t be late.”
“I can’t,” he moaned, wrestling with the seatbelt. Mittened and mummified under umpteen layers, he whined, “Why do I have to wear one anyway?”
“Because,” I answered shortly. “You were born in this world.”
“I was not born in this world,” replied an angry little voice. “I was born in South Carolina.”
Truth.
We drank many mugs of homemade hot cocoa that first winter back.
This Hershey’s DIY Hot Cocoa Mix recipe is so quick to make, uses just three ingredients: dry milk, Hershey’s baking cocoa and sugar. Just add hot water and stir. You’ll be amazed how easy!
Optional: add peppermint sticks, candy canes, mini-marshmallows or a sprinkle of baking cocoa for a special treat. Today I’m sharing the recipe for a delicious individual mug of hot cocoa or a batch of dry mix (24 servings) to keep in the pantry for wintry days. This hot cocoa mix makes rich and creamy, chocolaty hot cocoa. And doesn’t use up the milk in the fridge.
Hershey’s DIY Hot Cocoa Mix makes a perfect hostess gift or gourmet touch in a gift basket.
Hershey's DIY Hot Cocoa Mix
Ingredients
Hot Cocoa: (1 serving)
- 1/3 cup dry milk
- 2 teaspoons baking cocoa
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 cup hot water
- Optional garnish: mini-marshmallows peppermint sticks, whipped cream, sprinkle of baking cocoa.
Hot Cocoa Mix: (24 servings)
- 8 cups dry milk
- 1 cup baking cocoa
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- Optional garnish: mini-marshmallows peppermint sticks, whipped cream, sprinkle of baking cocoa.
Instructions
Hot Cocoa: (1 serving)
- Place dry milk, baking cocoa and sugar in a mug.
- Pour in one cup hot water and stir 'til smooth.
- Optional garnish: mini-marshmallows, peppermint sticks, whipped cream, sprinkle of baking cocoa.
Hot Cocoa Mix: (24 servings)
- In large bowl, thoroughly mix together dry milk, baking cocoa and sugar.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Mix heaping 1/3 cup Hershey's DIY Hot Cocoa Mix with 1 cup hot water.
- Stir 'til dissolved and smooth.
- Optional garnish: mini-marshmallows, peppermint sticks, whipped cream, sprinkle of baking cocoa
Notes
Reminder: this recipe uses just 1 cup of hot water. Many of today's mugs hold 2 cups or more. You may need to double this recipe to fill your mug!
You may also like: DIY Vanilla Bean Maple Syrup
Shashi at RunninSrilankan says
Haha – I feel Jonathan’s pain – it’s been in the 70s here in Atlanta, but everytime the temps dip below the 60s, I feel my Sri Lankan roots showing! I cannot count how many times I’ve been bundled up and someone has laughed at my layers and I have mumbled back “I was born in Sri Lanka!!!” 🙂
BTW – Allie – this is a delightful hot cocoa mix – perfect to keep on hand to whip up some hot cocoa in a flash and perfect for gifting too!
Happy New Year! xoxo
Judy says
Love the thought of having a DIY mix already made and on hand for warming up after tobogganing! We had our first smattering of snow this morning, which made me particularly receptive to this idea. Thanks for a good way to make dried milk palatable! I remember in days past when it wasn’t — at least not unless ice cold — and even then….! XOXO
Aunt Pinkie says
Looks good, easy, and delicious! Yum!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
We are both dreaming of hot chocolate right now! I can’t believe how warm it is on the east coast….here in the north west, lots of snow and cold! Perfect for hot chocolate.
nancy mcmahan says
I love a good cup of hot chocolate. Hoping for at least one snowfall here in Georgia.
Allie says
Oh I do hope you get one Nancy! Ours is unfortunately fizzling into ice right now. I’ll take fluffy snow any day. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
Melanie @ Melanie Cooks says
I love homemade mixes! This would make a perfect holiday gift! Your hot cocoa looks delicious!
Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama says
It was in the 60’s here for Christmas, the 70’s on Sunday, then it dipped down into the 30’s yesterday, and went back up to the 50’s today. Crazy weather for sure! Love this easy to make hot cocoa mix. Perfect to have on hand when I run out of the store bought stuff. 🙂
Patricia @ Grab a Plate says
I’m freezing just reading about that trek! I grew up in frosty Ohio, and now live in Phoenix (thin blood!) — it’s been really “cold” this winter! I’m looking forward to trying your delicious cocoa!
Jennifer @NourishedSimply says
Crazy weather here is Pennsylvania too! The temp reached 75 on Christmas Eve. My kids wore shorts to pick out our tree this year. Normally we are at the Christmas Tree farm bundled up with our hot cocoa.
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
I sort of can’t get past those gorgeous mugs! But omg, your Jonathon is something else isn’t he? 3 hours with two little boys must seem like 6! I love anything that is made from scratch and circumvents the chemicals of a packaged product! Great gift idea…as long as you include one of those mugs! 😉
Mandi Korn says
Thanks for sharing this recipe, I was supposed to have some friends come over for Hot Chocolate and a gift exchange and I needed a Hot Cocoa Recipe:o) We are waiting for our first snow down here….usually if it is a little north, we can travel to it and enjoy it there, but somehow no part of our state has been hit yet. We even have trees blooming and some Spring Flowers coming in. Everyone says it is not a good sign for us getting snow, but I am keeping my fingers crossed.
Michelle | A Dish of Daily Life says
We left the not so chilly Northeast this Christmas and headed out to the Colorado mountains…much colder! The weather has been so weird this year at home! But I know the winter weather is coming. And I have to admit, I do enjoy a snow day once in a while! And hot cocoa! 🙂
Megan Keno says
I have all these ingredients at home already! I will definitely be making this!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom says
So it is 70 degrees in North Carolina right now–insane. But as soon as it gets cold, and you know it will–I am making this. We love homemade cocoa at our house.
Ramona W says
The weather is finally getting cold here and we will be needing cups and cups of yummy hot chocolate. I love your DIY version here… so much better than those packets! The kids will love that the marshmallows are already included. 🙂 Wishing you the best this New Year!! 🙂
Carina says
Haha- This story gave me a good chuckle! It has been a mild winter here, too, so far. Though we’ve had some good snowfalls, which I admit I’ve enjoyed. Everything looks so beautiful! Hot chocolate is the best treat to warm up after being outside, and your recipe has me craving a big cup! Take care, Allie! 🙂
Marye says
I love homemade hot chocolate! The texture and the flavor far surpass that of the store bought variety!
Manila Spoon says
My kids love hot cocoa so they would go crazy for this! This sounds perfect for the wintry weather that has finally arrived! Hope you and your family had a lovely Christmas and wishing you bountiful blessings in 2016!
Melissa @ Treats With a Twist says
It was totally too warm here (70s) for Christmas! But this week it is much colder and I’ve been drinking hot cocoa everyday! Love your giftable recipe, it’s so simple!!
Eva says
Par ici, les hivers sont de plus en plus doux, le vrai froid n’a pas encore arrivé! Mais ton chocolat chaud me fait bien envie! J’aime bien l’idée des faire des sachets pour offrir. Un cadeau beau et très gourmand! xo (Translation: Over here, the winters are more mild , the real cold has not arrived yet ! But your hot chocolate makes me feel ! I like the idea of making bags to offer . A beautiful and delicious gift! xo)
Erin says
Three of my little people were born in the frozen tundra and lament every year that I am keeping them from their beloved snow. Ha. My two littlest boys were born here in North Carolina and look at me cross-eyed if I send them outside and it’s 40. 40 above zero. 😉 Too funny!! My ten year olds are already planning college – in New England, of course. I can’t say that I will visit them ever between October and April. I don’t miss the shoveling one bit but I agree that there is something awesome about a good nor’easter!
heather @french press says
my kids were in shock at the Buffalo winter this year – they are way to used to California, (and we didn;t even have any snow) but hot cocoa is always a great way to warm up
Chandra@The Plaid & Paisley Kitchen says
I totally understand being bundled up and your hands and arms are practically worthless. Luckily this cocoa will save the day!