Ditch the packets and make some deliciously easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix in just a few minutes! Make up a big batch for holiday gift giving, too!
During the winter months the whole family enjoys drinking hot chocolate. After many years, this Peppermint Hot Chocolate is still an all-time favorite. Hot chocolate mix packets are expensive for what you get, and don’t even get me started on the wasteful packaging. Anyway, with the amount we drink, making homemade mix was an easy and frugal alternative.
I just fill a huge jar with the hot chocolate mix, sit it next to the hot water machine with mugs, measuring spoon and marshmallows and we are set for a good long while.
HOW TO MAKE PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE MIX
Making homemade hot chocolate mix is super easy. If you have 5 minutes and can measure ingredients then you got this! You’ll need unsweetened cocoa, powdered sugar, non-fat dry milk, peppermint candies, cornstarch and salt. Just measure the ingredients right into the tub you will store it in for one less bowl to wash!
The cornstarch is added to the hot chocolate mix to give it a creamy consistency. Based on many cups of enjoyable taste testing, the hot chocolate mix with cornstarch tasted creamier than the mix without it. Same with the salt. It balances out the sweetness and I think helps brings out the flavor of the chocolate.
To start, measure all of the ingredients into a large container, and stir to mix thoroughly. Sometimes I run the mix thru the food processor to make it extra smooth and easy to dissolve. To make a cup of Peppermint Hot Chocolate, add three heaping tablespoons of mix to 6 – 8 ounces of boiling water. Stir the mix until is dissolves in the water. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream and enjoy. Note – Add a little more mix if you if you like your hot chocolate extra thick.
DOES HOT CHOCOLATE MIX EXPIRE?
Hot Chocolate Mix made with these dry ingredients will last a very long time on the shelf, approximately 6 months. Check the expiration dates of the ingredients you are using and do not go beyond the earliest expiration date for your chocolate mix expiration date.
WHAT IS NON-FAT DRY MILK?
Non-fat dry milk or powdered milk is a manufactured dairy product that is made by evaporating milk until it is dry. The benefits for drying milk is to make it shelf stable, as regular milk requires refrigeration. and to decrease weight for shipping. If you prefer, use whole milk powder. I finds that it separates easily, even when mixed with boiling water, so I am using non-fat dry milk here.
FLAVORINGS FOR HOT CHOCOLATE MIX
Peppermint is a holiday season classic, yet there are lots of other flavors to add to your own hot chocolate mix. Here are some of my favorites:
- Caramel or butterscotch chips
- Almond Powder
- Instant coffee granules
- Cherry Powder
- White chocolate chips
- Espresso powder
HOMEMADE HOLIDAY GIFT FOR TEACHERS, CO-WORKERS, ETC.
Make a huge batch, divide into mason jars and tie with a ribbon! Label with instructions for mixing and you have a practical, cute gift for everyone on your list.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Mix
Ingredients
- 2-1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups non-fat dry milk
- 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies
- 2 tbsp corn starch optional
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well combined.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Stir 3 tablespoons of mix with 6 – 8 ounces boiling water per cup.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!
Hi Lynn, that a good question but really depends on the kind of peppermint candy you are using and how finely the candies are crushed. I usually get 1/3 cup crushed from 12 – 15 peppermints. Hope that helps.
About how many crushed up starlight mints for a batch?