Homemade Cinnamon Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe (2024)

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Do you love delicious hot chocolate but want to avoid all of the corn syrup solids and other questionable ingredients? This homemade cinnamon hot chocolate mix recipe takes a total time of 5 minutes to make, contains no powdered milk, and it uses ingredients you probably have on hand anyway. Grab this easy homemade hot cocoa mix recipe for easy warm treat!

This homemade hot cocoa mix is one of our favorite things for cold mornings when your body just wants something warm to drink. Our homemade version comes without all of the preservatives and crunchy mini marshmallows, though we recommend topping it with your own marshmallows or even a dollop of fresh whipped cream!

Did you know the classic powdered hot cocoa mix from the grocery store is chock full of corn syrup solids, carrageenan, artificial flavor, and hydrogenated oils? That’s not super appealing to me, especially when making your own is just so easy.

And even though hot cocoa is a sweet drink, I feel much better drinking a sweetened drink I’ve made at home that uses the natural flavor of cocoa and cinnamon. This way I know exactly what went into it. And once you realize how easy hot cocoa mix is to make (5 ingredients!), you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making it all along!

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Brown Sugar in Hot Cocoa

I like to add a bit of cinnamon to our homemade hot cocoa mix. The cinnamon is subtle, so there’s no overpowering spice taste. I’ve also found that a key to rich and delicious cocoa is using brown sugar as well as white sugar. The molasses in the brown sugar gives this mix a richness that is lacking in other powdered cocoas.

So if you’ve been on the fence about making your own cocoa, dive on in and give this one a try. It mixes up in minutes, and can be stored in an airtight container for use all winter long. (If it lasts that long.)

Hot Cocoa Mix for Gift Giving

Did I mention it’s also great for gifting? The little gardeners recently received a letter from a child wesponsorin Kenya. Over the five years we’ve been sponsoring him and writing letters back and forth, he’s never asked for anything. In fact, last Christmas he wrote to tell us what he was able to purchase with the Christmas money we sent him: a sheet of metal for the roof of his family’s home, a blanket for himself, and some candy.

Y’all, I was totally blown away. I knew that his circ*mstances weren’t the best, and it’s something we have talked to our kids about, but actually seeing where he used the money we sent was humbling.

So in his last letter, he told us he had been hoping for a bike to help make traveling to and from school easier. His education is incredibly important to us. Our kids immediately jumped on board, and they came up with a way to raise the $100 a bike would cost.

They purchased supplies, crafted, and sold jars of this hot cocoa mix to amazing people in our community. The support was overwhelming, and we even had a few folks ask if we would continue to sell them throughout the season, so they could purchase more as teacher gifts. Amazing!

Just a side story I had to share! And if you’d like to gift this hot cocoa mix for any purpose, scroll to the bottom for free printable labels we created. Now, onto the recipe!

Homemade Cinnamon Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe (2)

Homemade Cinnamon Hot Cocoa Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this healthy hot chocolate recipe. Nothing fancy or overly complicated here, just pantry staples!

How to Make Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix

  1. In a medium sized mixing bowl combine both sugars and whisk together. Add in cocoa, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk until incorporated.
Homemade Cinnamon Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe (3)

2. Place mix in sealable container (glass mason jars work well) and store until ready to use.

3. To use, warm milk in a mug in the microwave or in a small pot on the stovetop. (Any milk will do: almond milk, oat milk, etc.) Use 1-2 tablespoons of mix for every 8oz cup of hot milk. (This depends on your sweet tooth.) I also add in a splash of vanilla extract after I’ve added the mix. But that’s optional.

4. Top with marshmallows if desired and enjoy!

For a family-sized batch, heat your favorite milk in a large saucepan and whisk in the cinnamon hot chocolate mix. Use a ladle to distribute and serve!

Homemade Cinnamon Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe (4)

Share this homemade hot cocoa mix with family and friends on Thanksgiving and Christmas mornings. It’s easy to whip up with your favorite milk or non-dairy beverage.

Top with marshmallows or whipped cream and an extra dusting of cinnamon. Have a great week, and click the image below for the free printable Cinnamon Hot Cocoa Mix gift tags:

More Homemade Gift Ideas:

  • Orange Spice Stovetop Potpourri
  • Zucchini Ginger Preserves
  • Instant Pot Apple Butter
  • Hydro Dipped Terra Cotta Planter

Yield: 2 cups

Homemade Cinnamon Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe (6)

This Cinnamon Hot Cocoa Mix recipe uses just a few ingredients for delicious hot chocolate anytime! And the brown sugar addition gives it a rich flavor you won't find in many mixes.

Prep Time5 minutes

Total Time5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Sugar
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup (heaping) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon Cinnamon

Instructions

    1. In a medium sized mixing bowl combine both sugars and whisk together. Add in cocoa, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk until incorporated.
    2. Place mix in sealable container (glass mason jars work well) and store until ready to use.
    3. To use, warm milk in a mug in the microwave or in a small pot on the stovetop. Use 1-2 tablespoons of mix for every 8oz cup of milk. (This depends on your sweet tooth.) I also add in a splash of vanilla extract after I've added the mix. But that's optional.Top with marshmallows if desired and enjoy!

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 165Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 137mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 0gSugar: 42gProtein: 0g

Related

Homemade Cinnamon Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Are cocoa and cinnamon good for you? ›

When mixing the cocoa with other ingredients such as Cinnamon, Almond Milk, etc., the drink can serve to stabilize your blood sugar throughout the night, which prevents anxiety-induced insomnia. Raw cacao is also rich in magnesium, which helps you sleep at night. Check out this amazing drink mix: Click Here!

Is there a difference between cocoa powder and hot cocoa mix? ›

Cocoa Powder: Hot chocolate starts with cocoa powder, which provides a chocolatey flavour. However, hot chocolate mix is distinct from plain cocoa powder, as it often contains added sugar, powdered milk, and sometimes additional flavourings like vanilla or spices.

Do you mix cocoa powder with milk or water? ›

All you need to make hot chocolate at home is cocoa powder, sugar, and milk or water. This combination is my absolute favorite, but I'll give you a few substitutions you can use to make this with what you have in your pantry right now!

Who should not drink cocoa powder? ›

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Cocoa might make the symptoms of GERD worse. Glaucoma: Cocoa contains caffeine. The caffeine in cocoa increases pressure in the eye and should be used cautiously in people with glaucoma. High blood pressure: Cocoa contains caffeine.

How long does it take cinnamon to lower blood sugar? ›

Adding to the evidence for potential antidiabetic effects, a new study has found that a 4-week course of cinnamon supplements reduced blood glucose (sugar) levels in people with obesity or overweight and prediabetes.

Is hot cocoa better with milk or water? ›

Using milk as an ingredient in hot chocolate gives it a creamy texture that many people enjoy. It also adds more fat, protein, calcium, and other vitamins than water does. However, some people may find that using too much milk makes the drink overly thick or heavy.

Is homemade hot chocolate better than store-bought? ›

Real milk just tastes better!

Of course, your hot cocoa mix in the grocery store uses dry milk, and lowfat or nonfat dry milk besides. Your homemade hot chocolate mix is going to taste richer, better than the hot chocolate mix from the grocery store.

What is the best cocoa powder for hot chocolate? ›

She also recommends Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker as another solid option for natural—the 100% Unsweetened Dark Chocolate Cocoa Powder—and mentioned the King Arthur Baking Company. The latter has two Dutch-process cocoas she likes—the Bensdorp Cocoa Powder and the Burgundy Cocoa.

Can I use Swiss Miss as cocoa powder? ›

To use it as a cocoa powder substitute, you need to use two teaspoons of hot chocolate mix for every teaspoon of cocoa powder in the recipe. It won't be as rich, but it will work. We recommend that you only use this method in an emergency baking situation.

What is coffee and hot chocolate called? ›

What exactly is mocha? A mocha is a blend of a cappuccino and a hot chocolate. Like a cappuccino it contains espresso, warm milk and a frothy top but it also contains a sweet chocolatey twist using either chocolate powder, chocolate syrup or melted chocolate.

Does drinking hot chocolate help you sleep? ›

Drinking hot chocolate milk at night can potentially help improve sleep quality, thanks to the soothing psychological effects of consuming a warm drink and the tryptophan content in cocoa. Plus, milk contains calcium and vitamin D, nutrients important for overall health, including the regulation of sleep.

Do you add cocoa powder before or after milk? ›

Steps to Make It

Pour 12 ounces milk (any kind) into a glass and slowly add 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder while blending with an immersion blender, spoon, or a small whisk. An immersion blender or a small whisk works best because they reduce the clumping of the cocoa powder.

How to get cocoa powder to dissolve in milk? ›

Cocoa powder, even though it looks and feels dry, it still has some element of fat from cocoa butter. So in order for it to dissolve, it needs to be heated. You can which do it into hot milk, or make a slurry of cocoa powder and hot milk or water, then add that to milk.

What does drinking cocoa do to your body? ›

Cocoa powder also contains polyphenols, antioxidants that help to improve cholesterol and blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of heart disease. Cocoa powder is rich in theobromine, which helps to reduce inflammation and can protect you from diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

Is it OK to eat cocoa powder everyday? ›

What are the side effects of cacao powder? Cacao is very powerful on the central nervous system and eating large quantities can interfere with calcium retention. Don't consume more than 40 grams (or four to six heaped teaspoons) of raw cacao a day.

Is cinnamon and chocolate a good combination? ›

The sweet and woody taste of cinnamon makes it another spice that goes exceptionally well with chocolate. Although slightly sweet, the woody flavour is more prominent and has a subtle yet noticeable impact on every dish it is used in.

Is it good to drink cocoa every morning? ›

According to studies, those who drink cocoa daily had lower blood pressure and a decreased risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke than those who consume just seldom or never. According to experts, epicatechin promotes health, improves cognition, and improves blood circulation.

References

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