Recipe: DIY Instant Hot Chocolate Mix

I think one of the most common excuses for not eating well is because it's just not as convenient as eating processed foods or other packaged foods. But, you see, I don't think there's any reason why you can't make healthier versions of those things. 

Enter this hot chocolate mix... or hot cocoa mix, if you're a friend from the US. 

If you look on the packet of regular instant hot chocolate mix - you're going to find a whole lot of numbers and ingredients that you don't really know what they are. 

This hot chocolate mix, however? It uses real ingredients, takes just minutes to make - and all you need to do to make yourself a steaming cup of creamy hot chocolate is to add boiling water - or heat up some milk. 

Oh, and maybe a few marshmallows if that's your thing. 

You see, this hot chocolate mix is SERIOUSLY easy - but no one will know. It's the type of thing that makes a great homemade gift idea - because you'll look like a mini Martha Stewart when you really just combined four ingredients and stuck them in a pretty jar. 

It's simple, easy, delicious and I always have a jar on the go - especially in the cooler months where I gravitate towards hot drinks. 

Each morning after I've gone for a walk and had a shower, you'll find me in the kitchen with the kettle boiling, a mug out and a jar of this mix or my Instant Chai Latte Mix Recipe, ready to make a steaming hot cup before heading to my office to start work for the day. 

Best of all? You can tailor this mix to suit you. Want a darker, more chocolatey drink? Add more cocoa. Want to reduce the sugar content? Use stevia instead. Want a creamier mix? Bump up the milk powder. The choice is yours!

So let me share the recipe with you! >>

Easy DIY Instant Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

makes 4 small jars or 1 1/2 large jars*

gluten free, grain free, sugar free option, paleo option, vegan option

3 cups (375g) dry milk powder (you can use skim, non fat, full fat or coconut milk powder for a dairy free option) 

1 1/2 cup (150g) unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups (400g) coconut sugar (you could also use white sugar) 

2 tsp cornstarch/cornflour 

• Add all of your ingredients to a DRY blender or food processor (it's important that it's dry so your milk powder doesn't become moist and lumpy). Blend all of your ingredients until everything is fine and incorporated. 
• Pour your mix into an airtight jar or container. 
• When you're ready to make your hot chocolate, simply add 1-2 heaped tablespoons of mix to a mug, topping with boiling water and mixing until smooth. Alternatively, add your mix to a saucepan with milk, heating over a medium heat until heated through and your mix is smooth. Play around with how much mix you use to get your desired taste - if it tastes too weak, add more mix to your next mug. 

Notes:

• *When I make this, I have a big jar that I usually fill to the top and then I fill a second smaller jar (the size pictured) to keep on the bench. I then refill that jar whenever it's empty. 
• If you want a richer chocolate flavour: Add more cocoa powder.
• If you want a creamier, less chocolatey flavour: Add more milk powder
• If you want it sweeter: Add more sugar
• If you want to use an alternative sweetener: Experiment with stevia powder or whatever dry sweetener you like. I don't use artificial sweeteners so I don't know how much to use - just play around with it, tasting as you go. 
• If you want a dairy free drink: Swap the milk powder for coconut milk powder! 

But tell me, 

What's your go-to hot drink? 

and how to you like your hot chocolate?

I am usually all about tea or coffee - but I love this when I want something without heaps of caffeine!

    

   

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