Rich 4-Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix: Simple Homemade Comfort (Print Version)

Whip up a delightful 4-Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix at home. This easy recipe brings warm, chocolatey comfort with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 5 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 15 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Base Mix Ingredients

01 - 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-processed for richer flavor)
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar (confectioners' sugar)
04 - 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

→ For Serving

05 - 8 oz milk (whole milk, oat milk, or almond milk) per serving

→ Optional Toppings & Flavor Boosters

06 - Mini marshmallows
07 - Whipped cream
08 - Pinch of cinnamon
09 - Splash of vanilla extract
10 - Pinch of cayenne pepper

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get all your ingredients out. I swear, half my kitchen chaos comes from hunting for things mid-recipe. Grab a big mixing bowl, a whisk, and a sifter if you're feeling fancy. I usually just use the whisk to break up lumps, not gonna lie, for this 4-Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix.
02 - Into that big bowl, toss in your unsweetened cocoa powder, both granulated and powdered sugars, and that tiny pinch of salt. Now, whisk it all together really well. You want to make sure there are no sneaky lumps hiding, especially in the cocoa powder. I remember one time I rushed this step and ended up with a surprise cocoa clump at the bottom of my mug – not ideal, folks, when making a 4-Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix!
03 - To be real, if you want that super smooth, store-bought texture, sift this mixture. Just push it through a fine-mesh sieve into another bowl. It gets rid of any stubborn lumps and makes for a truly luxurious drink. I often skip this when I'm in a hurry, and it's still good, but oh, the difference when you do! This step truly elevates your 4-Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix.
04 - Once everything is perfectly combined and lump-free, transfer your amazing 4-Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix into an airtight container. A cute mason jar works wonders here, especially if you're thinking of gifting it. Make sure it's sealed tight to keep it fresh and prevent any moisture from getting in. This mix lasts ages, honestly!
05 - When that hot cocoa craving hits, grab your favorite mug. Add about 2-3 tablespoons of your homemade 4-Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix to it. This is where you can totally play around with how strong you like your chocolate fix. I usually go for 2 heaping spoonfuls, because I like it rich!
06 - Heat about 8 ounces (that's roughly one cup) of milk – whole milk is my absolute favorite for this, it makes it so creamy! You can do this on the stovetop until it's steaming, or pop it in the microwave. Pour the hot milk over the mix in your mug and stir, stir, stir until it's completely dissolved and smooth. Oh, the smell at this point is just heavenly!

# Notes:

01 - Always use good quality cocoa powder; it's the star of this 4-Ingredient Hot Cocoa Mix.
02 - Don't skip the powdered sugar – it's key for that smooth, non-gritty texture.
03 - A tiny pinch of salt really amplifies the chocolate flavor, don't forget it!
04 - Store in an airtight container to keep it fresh for months.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large mixing bowl
02 - whisk
03 - fine-mesh sieve (optional)
04 - airtight container

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: Approx. 120-150 per serving (mix only)
Total Fat: Approx. 2-3g per serving
Total Carbohydrate: Approx. 25-30g per serving
Protein: Approx. 1-2g per serving