Homemade Hot Cocoa Recipe in a Jar
Homemade Hot Cocoa Recipe in a Jar
Our homemade hot cocoa recipe has always been a staple in our home and on the farm, I grew up on. My grandmother started making this easy hot chocolate recipe with cocoa powder many decades before I came along. My father has memories of enjoying a steaming cup around the bonfire every autumn and after sledding down the hill in the cow pasture during the winter months.
It wasn’t until my parents married and took the reins of the family farm that my mom added her touch to this homemade hot cocoa recipe. (She is known for quite the sweet tooth and I generally blame all my sweet cravings on her.)
She sweetened the hot chocolate recipe with chocolate chips and mini marshmallows. It soon became my father’s favorite after shoveling snow or breaking up the ice in the water tanks for the horse and cows.
Not long after my sister and I shared this treasured homemade hot cocoa recipe too.
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Is there a season for hot cocoa?
I think not! This homemade hot cocoa mix recipe is favored in any season. Sip on a cup of hot cocoa over the campfire in the warmer months or by the hearth during the cooler months.
It’s incredibly easy to whip up and it always makes a great gift in a jar!
In fact, it’s one of my go-to gifts in a jar recipes with printable tags. My cinnamon and spice stove top potpourri jars are another one of my creative jar gift ideas. Don’t miss this one – it will have you feeling all the cozy feels.
I’ll show you how to make mom’s homemade hot cocoa recipe in a jar for heartwarming gifts. I promise it will come together quickly and make the most adorable jars of hot cocoa with chocolate chips. I’ve even included tips for making different hot cocoa flavors and printable tags too!!
Homemade Hot Cocoa Recipe Ingredients:
- 8 cups powdered nonfat dry milk
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 cups non-dairy creamer (optional)
- 1 cup mini bittersweet chocolate chips
- 4 glass jars
How to make Hot Cocoa with Chocolate Chips:
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 8 cups powdered nonfat dry milk, 3 cups granulated sugar, 2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder, and optional 2 cups of non-dairy creamer until smooth. (Hold the mini chocolate chips for layering next.)
Hot Cocoa Jar Gift Ideas
Now that you’ve mixed up our easy homemade hot cocoa recipe, let’s make some jar gifts! What kind of jar do you need? You can use any jar you like; mason jars, jelly jars, or milk bottle jars like I did. As long as each jar is clean and airtight it will work well for gifts in a jar.
- Fill each glass milk bottle 3/4 full with homemade hot cocoa.
- Next, add a 1-inch layer of mini chocolate chips, approximately ¼ cup.
- Place the lids on each bottle and seal tight.
Wrap each jar in twine or ribbon and add a simple gift tag. Make sure to include instructions on how to make a cup of hot cocoa on the back of the tag. Here’s what to include depending on if you added non-dairy creamer or not.
To Make One Cup of Hot Cocoa
How to Make Hot Cocoa with Hot Water:
Scoop 2 to 3 heaping tablespoons of the hot chocolate mix and mini chocolate chips into a mug. Pour boiling water into the mixture and stir well.
How to Make Hot Cocoa with Warm Milk:
For an even richer taste – leave out the non-dairy creamer in the hot cocoa recipe. And instead, warm 6 to 8 ounces of milk in a saucepan or until warm in the microwave. Then add 2 to 3 heaping tablespoons of the hot chocolate mix and mini chocolate chips. Stir well and enjoy it.
8 Hot Cocoa Flavors
One of the best things about making a hot chocolate recipe at home is that it’s totally customizable! With just a few twists you can alter this recipe to the likes of any taste bud. And when you pour many of these ingredients into a clear glass jar as a gift the result is adorable. Here’s how to create different hot cocoa flavors.
Mexcian Flair Hot Cocoa:
- For a flair of Mexican hot chocolate add 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon and dash of cayenne pepper.
Andes Mint Hot Cocoa:
- Exchange the mini chocolate chips for mint chocolate chips or diced Andes chocolate mints. My husband says it’s like drinking a box of girl scout cookies.
Candy Crush Hot Cocoa:
- Omit the mini chocolate chips for mini M&Ms in any color combination you like for fun party favors. Or combine Reese’s Pieces and M&Ms for candy lovers. Pair with a Blue-Ray movie for a movie night themed gift.
Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa:
- I love this salted caramel hot cocoa recipe! Exchange ½ cup of mini chocolate chips for caramel bits and add a pinch of coarse salt. Or opt for salted caramel chips.
Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa:
- This peanut butter hot cocoa mix is all too yummy with homemade peanut butter cookies. Exchange the mini chocolate chips for mini Reese’s milk chocolate peanut butter cups.
Peppermint Forest Hot Cocoa:
- A holiday favorite recipe shared by many – exchange ½ cup of white chocolate chips and the other half with crushed peppermint candy canes.
Sleepy Lavender Hot Cocoa:
- Add a tablespoon of culinary lavender flowers to hot cocoa for a sleepy potion.
Butterscotch Hot Cocoa:
- Exchange the mini chocolate chips for butterscotch chips perfect for dunking snickerdoodle cookies.
Related To: Gift Idea DIY Milk and Honey Soap
Related To: DIY Coffee Candle Mugs
I know you’ll agree this homemade hot cocoa recipe in a jar makes the perfect gift for teachers, friends, neighbors, kids, and all those people in our lives that help make our ordinary – extraordinary. Add an easy printable hot cocoa tag and you can skip the wrapping!
Pin this homemade hot cocoa gift in a jar recipes with printable tags now and tag #farmhousechicliving on Instagram to share yours.