Hot Chocolate Mix

Annie's Eats

My hope is to inspire you to be fearless in the kitchen, to try new things, to take the time to make things the homemade way and most importantly, to have fun doing it!

42 comments

posted in: Beverages, Gifts From the Kitchen

12.17

2009

Oh heavens. If you like chocolate, and especially if you like hot chocolate, you are going to love this. I posted a different hot cocoa mix recipe last year that I had included in my gift packages. While it was pretty tasty, this just blows it away. It’s not surprising that this version is so much better. After all, it includes vanilla sugar, cocoa powder and a hefty quantity of finely ground chocolate. It’s certainly the more gourmet of the two versions, and it shows. The thick, smooth texture and the rich, chocolatey taste can’t be beat. I have mere tablespoons left after packaging this up for holiday treats, but I’m sure I’ll make another batch very soon that won’t be for sharing ;)

Hot Chocolate Mix
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Ingredients:
2 vanilla beans
4 cups granulated sugar
1½ lbs. good quality semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
9 oz. good quality bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
2 cups Dutch process cocoa powder*

Directions:
Split and scrape the vanilla beans and combine in a large bowl or jar with the sugar. Work the vanilla seeds into the sugar with your fingers. Bury the pods under the sugar, cover tightly and let stand overnight (or up to months) at room temperature. Remove the pods when ready to use.

In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, combine the sugar, semisweet and bittersweet chocolate, and Dutch process cocoa powder. Process in 4-second pulses until the chocolate is very finely ground and the mixture is well combined. Store the mix in an airtight container for up to 6 months.

Serving Instructions:
Combine 2 tablespoons cocoa mix with 8 oz. of very warm milk and stir to combine until well blended.

*I am unable to find Dutch process cocoa powder in area stores, so I use a blend of natural and Dutch process cocoa.

Source: Confections of a Foodie Bride, originally from Gourmet, 2005

http://www.keeplearningkeepsmiling.com MaryMoh

I love hot chocolate drink. Wow….you have made them into gift packs….look gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
Megan

This stuff is AWESOME!!!!!! Thank you! ;o)
http://randomanderson.wordpress.com Emily Anderson

Hi Annie! This looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing. I wanted to let you know that Penzey’s Spices sells Dutch Process Cocoa. There’s a shop up by the Trader Joe’s near Castleton on 82nd St. But I live on the south side, so when I don’t feel like making a trip I just order from their website and I get it in 2 days with standard shipping. Just a tip!
http://antzonablog.wordpress.com antzonablog

Yum! This will be a great gift!
http://bakeitafterall.blogspot.com Meghan

Mmm this looks simply decadent! I made a homemade hot cocoa mix last year for gifts and it was just ok – no real chocolate in it like this one though.
Annie

Hi Emily,
Yes, I know about the Penzey’s. That’s why I said “my area” – I just rarely have time to make it up to the north side, as much as I want to. I really want to get there eventually!
:) Annie
http://dunktwice.blogspot.com/ Alexandra

These would make awesome gifts with homemade marshmallows to boot.
http://smittensugar.blogspot.com Krystle

I looove hot chocolate! I cant wait to go home and make this tonight!!
http://jellibeanjournals.blogspot.com Jelli Bean

I wish I could afford this hot cocoa mix! Yum!
Erin

I’ve been wanting to make a hot cocoa mix, so I’ll have to go with this recommendation! I have a hard time finding Dutch process cocoa as well. I’ve found it at Fresh Market, but it’s really expensive, although I’ve had good luck using the Hershey’s blend.
http://pinkparsleycatering.blogspot.com Josie

I made this over the weekend too, and it is so so good!! It is going in my treat baskets as well!
Kim

Annie–If you are anywhere near the northeast side of Indianapolis, Frasier’s Gourmet Foods on 96th Street carries Dutch processed chocolate. I bought some there a few months ago.
http://www.lisaopolis.com Lisa

Wow I love hot chocolate! I had never considered making it from scratch before. Thanks for the recipe : )
Annie

Hi Kim,
If you see my reply to another comment above, the north side in general (and definitely north east) is pretty far for me. I just rarely have time to get up there, as much as I might want to.
http://www.akstarrfamily.blogspot.com Kate

Cannot wait to try this!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
http://play-with-food.blogspot.com Deborah Dowd

This sounds amazing, perfect for packing with cookies for friends and co-workers! I saw a cute idea that would be great with this- a stirrer with a marshmallow dipped in chocolate and then the top dipped in white chocolate and then crushed peppermints to look like a mini-cupcake-perfect for stirring a cup of cocoa!
Sheila

I’ve gotten it at either Marsh, Meijer, or SuperTarget. Sorry I can’t remember which one, but those are the ones I shop at and so it had to be one of them. But I am in on the northeast side so maybe those stores have different stock than elsewhere in the city.
http://butteryblog.wordpress.com/ celia

I received hot chocolate mix and homemade marshmallows once as a gift and have always wanted to do the same for others. Thanks so much for sharing, this looks great!
http://oignonsaveclarmes.blogspot.com/ Aimee

Ooo Annie you have to get to Penzeys! I did a post just on that store! Oh this cocoa looks good enough to sip from my mac monitor! :)
nutmegnanny

Delicious! I saw this recipe on epicurious and thought it sounded delicious. I’m happy to hear it is:) I will have to try this….yum!
Katie

OMG! This was heaven in a cup. I made it & gave it away as Christmas presents to coworkers who were also in heaven. I even made a pepermint version, using pepermint chips I had on hand. Pure Heaven I say!
mkc3888

I made this lasy night for gifts, and fixed myself a glass with some of the extra. This stuff was amazing! Thank you so much for sharing. My coworkers will love this!
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jenniebites

Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing this recipe. I just enjoyed a mug and it’s even better than syrupy Starbucks. You’ve saved me at least $9.00/week!
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Polly

Annie, this Hot Chocolate is amazing! I made it for my goodie baskets and also made a batch of the Candy Cane Biscotti to dip in their Hot Cocoa. I found the Dutch powder to be pretty expensive. How crucial is it to this blend? Is there something less costly that might work instead? My husband was in heaven and pretty bummed to find out that he was only allowed the ends of the biscotti for dipping because the rest were for gifts! :) I always turn to your site first when I need something with a special “touch”–thank you for your hard work!! Merry Christmas!
Annie

As I mentioned in the post, you can use Hershey’s Special Dark which is a blend of Dutch process and regular cocoa. It’s more economical, and that’s what I use in this mix.
Justine

I made this. Gave 6 away as gift and ate the rest from the jar with a spoon.. not even sure what it tastes like mixed with milk. But delicious on it’s own!
http://booksncook.wordpress.com Books n’ Cooks

Annie,
I know this was posted a long time ago, but I’m hoping you remember anyway. Do you recall how many servings this makes? I’m debating about making a full batch or cutting it in half.
Thanks!
Annie

According to Foodie Bride’s blog, it makes about 76 2 tbsp. servings. I still say make the full batch – you won’t regret having it around, and you won’t have to make it again soon. Enjoy!
Lydia

Just out of curiosity, what do you consider “good quality” chocolate? Thank you! =]
Annie

Callebaut, Scharffen Berger, Valhorna, etc.
Lydia

Thank you! Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find any of those kinds near where I live. Would ghirardelli chocolate work?
http://bizzinformation.de/www.stabilepkv.de private Krankenversicherung angestellte

Good day! I just wish to give a huge thumbs up for the nice information you could have right here on this post. I will likely be coming back to your weblog for extra soon.
Lydia

Would ghirardelli chocolate work? I can’t seem to find any high quality chocolate anywhere! :(
Annie

I consider Ghirardelli good quality.
Lydia

Thank you! I appreciate it :)
Emily B.

How many cups of finished mix does this make ? Looks delicious and I want to make it for Christmas gifts!!
Emily B.

oops nevermind, just found it on the other link :)
CambriaW

I made this recipe last night, and it was amazing! I enjoyed every minute of the prep work (all that chocolate!), and the results were worth it. I’m drinking a cup right now!
Anonymous

Actually not gritty at all as long as you use hot enough liquid. The sugar dissolves. I certainly wouldn’t recommend it if I didn’t think it was excellent :)
Elyse

This sounds much better than the usual cocoa mix we make. Would be an excellent gift paired with some homemade marshmallows. Maybe peppermint ones for the holidays ;)