Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix Jars: The Perfect Wallet-Friendly Gift
These homemade hot cocoa mix jars are a budget-friendly, thoughtful gift that costs about three dollars each to make. They’re layered beautifully with mini marshmallows and chocolate shavings, and they taste incredibly rich and creamy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (100g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups (160g) powdered milk
- ½ cup (60g) powdered creamer
- ¼ teaspoon (1.5g) salt
- Mini marshmallows (optional, for layering)
- Chocolate shavings or chips (optional, for layering)
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace. Clear your counter and gather all your ingredients and equipment. Make sure your jars are clean and completely dry.
- Combine the dry ingredients. In a medium mixing bowl, add the granulated sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, powdered milk, powdered creamer, and salt. Whisk everything together thoroughly for at least 30 seconds until evenly distributed.
- Check for clumps. Run your whisk through the mixture and break up any clumps. The mix should be smooth and powdery, like fine sand.
- Layer the jars (optional but recommended). Spoon about ½ inch of the cocoa mix into the bottom of your jar. Tap the jar gently on the counter to settle the mix. Add a layer of mini marshmallows. Repeat with another layer of cocoa mix, then marshmallows, until you reach the top. End with a layer of cocoa mix, then top with chocolate shavings or chips.
- Seal the jars. Screw the lids on tightly. Give the jar a gentle shake to see if the layers hold.
- Decorate the jars. Cut a piece of ribbon or twine and tie it around the neck of the jar. Attach a gift tag with instructions: ‘To make hot cocoa: Add 3 tablespoons of mix to a mug. Pour in 6-8 ounces of hot milk or water. Stir well and enjoy!’
- Make a test cup (optional but recommended). Add 3 tablespoons of mix to a mug, pour in 6-8 ounces of hot milk (or water), and stir until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust if needed.
Notes
For the best results, use hot milk instead of water. Store jars in a cool, dry place. The mix will stay fresh for up to 6 months. For a dairy-free version, use powdered coconut milk or soy milk powder and a non-dairy creamer. For a sugar-free version, use a granulated sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener or erythritol.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tablespoons of mix
- Calories: 220250
- Sugar: 3035
- Sodium: 150200
- Fat: 810
- Saturated Fat: 56
- Carbohydrates: 3540
- Fiber: 12
- Protein: 68
Keywords: hot cocoa mix, homemade gift, mason jar gift, hot chocolate, DIY gift, Christmas gift, budget-friendly gift