Hot Chocolate Mix (Without Powdered Milk)

 

Ooh hot chocolate, how I love thee. Which do I love more, hot chocolate or chocolate milk?  That is a tough one.  What’s not tough is choosing this easy, most delicious, best ever Hot Chocolate Mix (Without Powdered Milk) recipe.

So what the heck is the big deal with powdered milk not being in this mix that I had to put it in the title even?  I seem to be in the minority here which is fine but I personally think powdered milk tastes and smells horrendous.  Plus it's weirdly expensive.  And does weird things.

Please no offense, I’m not saying you taste or smell horrendous if you like it; you’re totally allowed to.

I have found, again just me personally, any recipe I’ve tried that includes powdered milk such as a homemade ice cream to eh I forgot what else I put it in to hot chocolate or hot cocoa mix, the recipe is a fail.

I've honestly given it a good ol' college try.  And I think it's gross.  Heh (sorry).

For instance, I tried an ice cream recipe that called for a quarter cup of powdered milk and not only did the ice cream taste icky, the texture was gummy, it didn't freeze properly after mixing, and it smelled off-putting.

My final attempt at using it was in another hot chocolate mix recipe. Unwisely, I made the full batch instead of halving or quartering.  The scent made me green and it tasted terrible.  I threw it out.  Including the bag of powdered milk, all of which was obviously not inexpensive.

As a side note, I always make my hot chocolate with milk.  While you can assemble this recipe using water (or other types of milk like almond or soy or oat), I recommend milk over water.  It's richer, it tastes better, and right out the gate, powdered milk is therefore automatically eliminated.

Plus, the ingredients for this are easily accessible and not powdered-milk-expensive.

Whew, right?

Sooooo.  Sorry if you’re a powdered milk fan or think it’s a wonderful ingredient that brings a lot to the table or is magic or I'm crazy and now you’re here reading me rip it up. 

Powdered milk, man, it has done me wrong.

But just try this Hot Chocolate Mix (Without Powdered Milk) and see.

And riiiight, I know, when I typed up my Proper Hot Chocolate post, I kinda mm, kinda dunked on hot chocolate or hot cocoa mixes a bit.  In a sense, rightfully so as store bought ones leave a bit to be desired and that Proper Hot Chocolate is, well, proper and tough to beat.

But I for sure get it, the Proper Hot Chocolate is, in my mind for me anyway, a special occasion treat.  You of course do you, boo, and make it any time you want.  And you should want.

Sometimes though it is way easier to yank out a container, dump some milk in a mug, heat it up with a few spoonfuls of an easy peasy mix, sip and enjoy, no hassles at all.  Absolutely.  That's why I'm here today with this Hot Chocolate Mix (Without Powdered Milk).

And honestly, this mix is the very textbook definition of easy.  It could not be any easier.  Grab ingredients, toss in a container, shake.

Extra bonus here is, especially if you've been following along this baking journey here on The Bake Dept, you likely have these ingredients on hand already.  Even if you're an occasional baker, you likely have the goods.

And really, what's better than a comforting warm mug of hot chocolate on a chilly day or evening, curled up under a blankie, snuggled up on the couch with fuzzy slippers* on, lights dimmed low,* some cookies, and a baking cookbook?  Now you know how I like to live.

Truthfully, for me, any time is a good time for hot chocolate, I don't care the temperature outside.  I'll order some up for breakfast at a restaurant when it's ninety degrees plus outside.  Done it.  Will again.

Note, you can totally customize this recipe too.  Sprinkle in some cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to add a hint of warm spices.  Toss in some instant coffee for a mocha bent.  How about some vanilla powder?  Whatever tickles your fancy, toss some in.  Why not, right?!

This makes a great gift too.  Make a big batch, scoop it into pretty jars,* tie on some ribbon* with a little note card outlining the instructions to make a mug, and your friends or family will be thrilled.  I know I would be.

Righty-o, let's hop to it, Hot Chocolate Mix (Without Powdered Milk)....

Go grab your cocoa powder....ok wait, note about the cocoa powder.  Use what you'd like.  Most often you'll find natural cocoa powder in the grocery store but you can also use Dutch-process* here too.  If you wanted more of like an Oreo flavor, use black cocoa powder.* 

Or, if you want, do a mix of cocoa powders.  Here I used mostly natural and whatever was left in a Dutch-process bag as I now have a gazillion pounds of my favorite Blommer Dutch.  If you can, something a level up or more from a store brand since the cocoa is the feature flavor but no doubt near any cocoa powder will be good.

Dig up a jar or an airtight container* and just toss everything into it. 

You may need to jam a fork in there to break up the brown sugar a bit but after that, put the lid on...

...and give it a good shake-a-roo to mix.
 

And.  That.  That is it.  Yep!

To make a nice toasty mug, pour some milk into a mug, add a few spoonfuls of the mix in there, stir it up (if you have one of those frother foamy gizmos,* use that as it mixes everything very well), and pop it in the microwave to heat.

Top that bad boy off with some whipped cream if you'd like.  Highly encouraged.  Use one of my favorite whisks, that coil type,* on the cream and you'll have fresh whipped cream in half the time of a regular whisk.*

To really make this extra special, order a handmade mug (or a bunch or just everything) from Jen at Perfect Mug Pottery.  Yes, do that.  And don't forget the fuzzy slippers.

*The fuzzy slippers, programmable light bulbs, gift jars, ribbon, Dutch process cocoa powder, black cocoa powder, airtight containers, milk frother, coil whisks, and whisks are Amazon affiliate links.  Happy baking, thanks!  Please see the "info" tab for more, well, info.