Easy DIY Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar
This easy DIY peppermint hot cocoa mix in a jar is more than just a recipe — it’s a way to share warmth and comfort with the people you love. It takes ten minutes to make, uses simple ingredients, and produces a drink that tastes like a hug in a mug.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings (about 3-4 quart-sized jars) 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 ½ cups powdered milk
- 1 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup crushed peppermint candies (about 30–40 hard peppermint candies or candy canes)
- Hot water or hot milk (for serving)
- Whipped cream (optional, for serving)
- Extra crushed peppermint (for garnish)
- Mini marshmallows (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Crush the peppermint candies. Place them in a sturdy plastic zip-top bag and seal it tight. Use a rolling pin or mallet to crush them into small pieces. You want them fine enough to dissolve easily but with a few tiny chunks for texture.
- Sift the cocoa powder. If your cocoa powder has lumps, sift it into your large mixing bowl using a fine-mesh sieve.
- Add the dry ingredients. To the sifted cocoa, add the powdered sugar, powdered milk, non-dairy creamer, granulated sugar, and salt. Whisk everything together until well combined into a uniform light brown.
- Add the crushed peppermint. Pour in your crushed candies and whisk again until they’re evenly distributed throughout the mix.
- Test the mix. Before you fill your jars, make a test cup. Stir 3 tablespoons of the mix into 6-8 ounces of hot water. Taste it and adjust if needed.
- Fill the jars. Use your funnel to pour the mix into clean, dry glass jars. Leave about an inch of headspace at the top so you can shake the jar before using it. Tap the jar gently on the counter to settle the mix.
- Seal and label. Screw the lids on tight. If giving as gifts, attach a tag with serving instructions: ‘Stir 3 tablespoons of mix into 6-8 ounces of hot water or milk. Stir well and enjoy!’
Notes
Crush peppermint in batches for even texture. Don’t skip the salt — it enhances the chocolate flavor. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. For a vegan version, use powdered coconut milk and dairy-free creamer. For extra minty flavor, add ½ teaspoon peppermint extract.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 tablespoons of mix
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 28
- Sodium: 220
- Fat: 4
- Saturated Fat: 3
- Carbohydrates: 34
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: peppermint hot cocoa, hot cocoa mix, DIY gift, homemade hot chocolate, peppermint cocoa, winter drink, Christmas gift, easy recipe