As I’ve gotten older, I’ve found that my favorite gifts tend to be of the homemade variety—especially if they’re made to go in my stomach!
I’ve also found that jars of all shapes and sizes are the perfect vehicle for packaging such gifts. Sometimes they can even be the gift! (Remember these DIY jar koozies from last year?)
Some of my standbys to make for gifts are this rich and creamy chai concentrate, pickles of all kinds (especially quick pickles like these roasted beets, radish pods, or pineapple guavas), fermented foods like kimchi or sauerkraut, and my zippy grapefruitcello and orangecello (though these take time to age, so you need to think about making them at least a month ahead of time).
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Today, however, I’m sharing a new recipe that actually comes from my book, The New Camp Cookbook. Because it’s intended for camping (or tailgating or cabin trips), you know that it travels well, keeps for a while, and is super easy to make!
What’s in my hot chocolate mix
Hot chocolate mix is more often purchased than it’s made at home, but once you see how simple it is to put together, you’ll want to have a jar stashed in the kitchen (or your camping bin) at all times.
There’s real chocolate in it, and I add dry milk powder to the mix so you don’t have to use fresh milk if it’s not something you always have on hand. The milk powder adds enough richness to a steamy mug of hot chocolate so all that’s needed is hot water: 1 cup for every 3 to 4 tablespoons of homemade hot chocolate mix.
(If you do always have milk in your fridge, then you can omit the milk powder entirely and use milk instead of water.)
Each batch in the recipe below makes enough hot chocolate mix to fill two pint-size jars. Add a cute little note with instructions for one of my favorite drink variations (for Classic Hot Chocolate, Mexican Hot Chocolate, or Snugglers) and I think you’ll have a very happy recipient.
Homemade hot chocolate mix
Makes 2 pints
Ingredients
1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips, very finely chopped (at least 60% cacao)
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup dry milk powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl. Transfer to an airtight container and store in a dry, cool place for up to three months.
Classic hot chocolate
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
1 cup water
3 to 4 tablespoons Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix (see recipe above)
Instructions
Heat the water in a small saucepan over medium heat until steamy. Add the hot chocolate mix and stir until all of the ingredients are dissolved and well blended.
Mexican hot chocolate
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
1 cup water
3 to 4 tablespoons Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix (see recipe above)
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of ground cayenne pepper
Instructions
Heat the water in a small saucepan over medium heat until steamy. Add the hot chocolate mix, cinnamon, and cayenne and stir until all of the ingredients are dissolved and well blended.
Snuggler
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients
1 part peppermint schnapps
6 parts Classic Hot Chocolate (see recipe above)
Instructions
Stir the schnapps into a mug of hot chocolate until well combined.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix (+ 3 Hot Chocolate Variations)
This is my go-to hot chocolate mix using real chocolate—perfect for gift giving, stashing in your kitchen for cozy nights at home, or packing in your camping bin to drink around the fire. Included are 3 delicious hot chocolate variations!
Ingredients
For Hot Chocolate Mix
- 1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips, very finely chopped (at least 60% cacao)
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/2 cup dry milk powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
For Classic Hot Chocolate
- 1 cup water
- 3 to 4 tablespoons Hot Chocolate Mix (above)
For Mexican Hot Chocolate
- 1 cup water
- 3 to 4 tablespoons Hot Chocolate Mix (above)
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground cayenne pepper
For a Snuggler
- 1 part peppermint schnapps
- 6 parts Classic Hot Chocolate (above)
Instructions
To make hot chocolate mix:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl.
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in a dry, cool place for up to three months.
To make classic hot chocolate:
- Heat the water in a small saucepan over medium heat until steamy.
- Add the hot chocolate mix and stir until all of the ingredients are dissolved and well blended.
To make Mexican hot chocolate:
- Heat the water in a small saucepan over medium heat until steamy.
- Add the hot chocolate mix, cinnamon, and cayenne and stir until all of the ingredients are dissolved and well blended.
To make a snuggler:
- Stir the schnapps into a mug of hot chocolate until well combined.
View the Web Story on homemade hot chocolate mix.
This post updated from an article that originally appeared on December 8, 2018.
19 Comments
Marilyn Lamborn
January 4, 2023 at 7:33 amSandra, would you please post the salt scrub recipe with the peppermint??
S.Lynn
December 26, 2018 at 3:44 amWe call the hot chocolate with mint schnapps “Snow Bunnies”. So yummy and warms you up.
MargotS
December 15, 2018 at 7:11 amHomemade muffins and breads.
starzine
December 15, 2018 at 6:17 amA handmade jewelry box.
Dolores Miranda
December 15, 2018 at 5:27 amMugs with hot cocoa and mini marshmallows go over real nice with co workers.
kelly woods
December 15, 2018 at 5:26 amI love this and I love homemade gifts from my kuds. Thank you for sharing
Desirée Yvonne DeYoung
December 14, 2018 at 3:45 pmI love giving a gift of thought or receiving one, I don’t like gifts where the person didn’t make sure that it would be something I would use or need. Food gifts are great if I like the cooking and handmade gifts are awesome if I’m not allergic. I love gifts where someone has taken an extra step in finding out about me. It doesn’t have to be expensive just needs some thought!!!^_^
Christina Gagnon
December 13, 2018 at 2:59 pmOh my! These recipes are really going to hit these pregnancy cravings ❤️
Tracey Concannon
December 13, 2018 at 2:44 pmA friend of ours Julianna, gave us some homade Irish Cream (like Baileys!) last year, in a sweet little decorated glass bottle….it was AMAZING!!
Carolsue
December 13, 2018 at 8:39 amI like mugs with cake mix ingredients, all ready to mix and bake!
digicats {at} sbcglobal {dot} net
EdyeNicolesMakeup
December 12, 2018 at 5:15 pmI like giving homemade cards!
mia2009(at)comcast(dot)net
Laura Sharp
December 11, 2018 at 5:16 pmI always have loved knitting or crocheting gifts, I did hats last year!
Ally
December 10, 2018 at 12:24 amMy sister knits and crochets and always gives the best, most beautiful things <3
Christine Spalango
December 9, 2018 at 5:03 pmMy son and his family moved to Bend and they love it as much as you! I think your cookbook would be a great gift for them. <3
Tina W
December 9, 2018 at 11:36 amA few years ago I gave homemade vanilla for Christmas gifts, it was a huge hit!
Laura
December 9, 2018 at 5:15 amI love homemade cookies!
Sandy
December 8, 2018 at 8:46 pmLove your blog! (I already follow you on twitter)
Sandra
December 8, 2018 at 6:09 pmI like to make moisturizing salt scrubs. The oil and salt help get the dirt out from under fingernails, and the peppermint soothes tired hand muscles that have been working in the garden all day. I think a mug of cocoa will go great with this.
Lauren E
December 8, 2018 at 12:59 pmLove the idea of the hot chocolate mix!