Rich & Creamy Hot Chocolate Mix

You can make this homemade hot chocolate mix in five minutes or less, and enjoy rich and creamy hot chocolate all season long that is naturally sweetened and free of unnecessary additives! 

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There’s a chill in the air and I am SO excited. I don’t think I’ve ever been this ready for cool weather. Today was raining and cold, but no complaints from me. I was so over hot and muggy, and so ready for a change. I am not trying to rush anything, but I am positively giddy about the prospect of cozying up in front of the fire together.

It wasn’t too long ago that I was a staunch hater of winter. I dreaded the cold weather and had a “grin and bear it” approach to the cooler months of the year. All this changed a few years ago when I realized a (admittedly) VERY simple solution.

Stay warm and embrace the advantages of the cold. My attitude towards winter changed completely with better boots, warm scarves, house slippers, fires in the fireplace, and of course, warm drinks in our mugs. (More ideas to embrace winter with a little coziness).

Seriously, all it took was a little adulting and buying proper clothing. Then, seeing the positives of winter was just the icing on the cake. We have so many wonderful traditions at this time of the year. If you are struggling to enjoy the winter, start a new tradition of something that you can anticipate on the cold days. Have a gingerbread house party, plan an annual mom’s night in (kick the kids out to someone else’s house for the night), host a bonfire with friends, and make some delicious homemade hot chocolate…

Rich & Creamy Hot Chocolate Mix

Hot chocolate and cold winter weather go hand in hand. Go outside in the cold, come back in and warm up with a mug of hot chocolate that simultaneously warms your hands and warms your body from the inside out. Hot chocolate is a necessity of winter.

You can go two different ways with hot chocolate– buy boxes of single-serve packets or make a mix yourself at home. I’m really not judging either way, because truly we have done both. But it really is VERY easy to make hot chocolate mix yourself, and you get a tastier result without the added sugars and ingredients you can’t pronounce.

Another advantage of homemade hot chocolate mix is that you significantly reduce the packaging waste, especially if you store your mix in a reusable glass jar. There’s no trash every time you want a cup of cocoa.

I have made other mixes before, but this year I wanted to use a natural sweetener (I chose coconut sugar) and wanted to increase the richness and depth of flavor. I am very happy with the mix and have already had about five cups of hot chocolate this week!

(Hot chocolate isn’t just for kids. Just want to make sure we are clear on this).

I’m a little obsessed with coconut sugar at the moment. So much so that I have made it a “Subscribe and Save” option on Amazon this year.  Just when I’m starting to run out, another package arrives in the mail.  If you find yourself needing coconut sugar often, this is a great deal!

Coconut sugar is still sugar, so you don’t want to consume it in large quantities, but it is less processed, better for your gut, lower on the glycemic index, and contains trace minerals and vitamins. (More about its benefits).

A few more notes about ingredients:

• Cocoa powder :: Use the good stuff. The difference is noticeable. We really like Ghirardelli. (Update: I just made a batch with cacoa powder I picked up at Costco. Still great and a few extra health benefits).
• Powdered Milk :: Using powdered milk in your mix adds to the creaminess of the hot chocolate, and saves you on milk later on.
• Arrowroot :: helps to slightly thicken the hot chocolate, making it rich and smooth, and is an anti-caking ingredient
• Cinnamon :: adds a depth of flavor to the hot chocolate. A little goes a long way. (You can leave this out if you prefer).

P.S. This mix would make an excellent gift idea! Give it in a mason jar with a pretty ribbon tied around it. Give it with a handmade mug, pretty spoon, or seasonal dishtowel.

P.P.S. Don’t forget the fresh whipped cream! Check out how to make it in your Vitamix here.

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