Alton Brown's Hot Cocoa Mix
This not-too-sweet hot cocoa mix takes just 5 ingredients (no creamer!) to make and 5 minutes to mix together! Just add boiling water.
Servings: 7
Calories: 96kcal
Equipment
- bullet blender or food processor (optional but recommended)
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons powdered milk (⅝ cup/55 grams)
- 8 tablespoons powdered sugar (½ cup/66 grams)
- 4 tablespoons cocoa powder (¼ cup/20 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons miniature chocolate chips (25 grams; optional but recommended)
Instructions
Making Hot Cocoa Mix
- Place powdered milk, powdered sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, salt, and miniature chocolate chips in a food processor or bullet blender.
- Pulse all ingredients together. (Since the ingredients are powdery, they don't mix together well with continuous blending.)
- Store in an airtight container. Label with instructions for a cup of hot cocoa.
Making a Cup of Hot Cocoa
- Scoop 3 tablespoons mix (~25 grams) into a mug.
- Stir in 8 ounces/227 grams/1 cup of boiling water. Stir to dissolve.
- Top with lots of marshmallows. Let rest for a minute or two before drinking.
Notes
I use dry instant non-fat milk. I blend the hot cocoa mixture because the powdered milk does not dissolve well otherwise. I cannot find whole-fat dry milk in grocery stores.
Both Dutched and natural cocoa powder, of any brand without sugar, work in this recipe.
This uses no non-dairy creamer!
For a better texture and flavor, I grind a small amount of miniature chocolate chips into the mix for better texture and flavor. I found that the non-fat milk made the mixture taste too thin; this way I can make the mix using only hot water.
In the distant past, I made this with artificial sweeteners like sucralose. Each sweetener will have its own instructions on substituting it for sugar, so follow the instructions on the package. To combine sugar-free mix with water, start with 2 tablespoons of mix per 8 ounces hot water, and adjust from there.
This is a small batch version to make with a bullet blender; shake the cup as you blend the mix. Double or triple the quantity for best results if making the mix in a food processor.
I specifically make this hot cocoa for a treat when I don't want to heat milk. For a hot chocolate that you mix with hot milk, try Decadent Hot Chocolate Mix or sweeter Hot Chocolate Mix.
Adapted from Alton Brown's Hot Cocoa Mix recipe. I've measured all ingredients by weight, not volume.
Calorie count calculated in MyNetDiary and is an estimate only. Calorie count will vary depending on the specific ingredients used.
Recipe revised slightly, and chocolate chips added, on 11/14/2025.
Nutrition
Calories: 96kcal
