Making healthy hot chocolate is already pretty easy, but this jarred version makes it even easier. Just scoop two tablespoons into warm milk, and stir until smooth. It’s so delicious!
What’s in Hot Chocolate Mix?
Many “instant” hot chocolate mixes include powdered milk, but that’s not an ingredient that I keep on hand, so I make this mix using two of my pantry essentials– cacao powder and coconut sugar. That means this mix is dairy-free, and if you’re giving it as a gift, the recipient can use any type of milk they prefer. I’ve made this with almond milk, oat milk, and hemp milk with great results!
Benefits of Cacao Powder
Want to feel better about drinking hot chocolate? Cacao is noted for being rich in polyphenols, which are naturally occurring antioxidants.
Cocoa powder may help to lower blood pressure, by improving the nitric oxide levels in your blood. (source) Cocoa may help to lower LDL cholesterol (the “bad” kind) and may also have a blood thinning effect similar to aspirin, which may lower the risk for a heart attack. (source) Eating chocolate regularly has been associated with a lower risk of stroke and heart disease. (source) The flavanols found in chocolate may increase blood flow to the brain, by up to 10% in just 2 weeks. (source) One study that looked at chocolate consumption in pregnant mothers found that it may help to reduce stress and boost the mood of their babies, even 6 months after birth. (source)
Both cocoa powder and cacao powder contain these, but cacao powder is known for being less processed, and therefore should retain more of its antioxidant content when compared to cocoa powder.
How Long Can you Store Hot Chocolate Mix?
When making this hot chocolate mix, make a note of the expiration date on your cacao powder and coconut sugar. Whichever one expires first should be the “expiration date” of your hot chocolate mixture. Be sure to write it on the bottom of your jar if you’re making this as a gift. As long as you keep this mix stored in a dry place, it should be able to be stored for months, or until you use it all! The recipe below should fill up a 16 oz. mason jar (I like to use a wide mouth jar like this one), but you can make smaller 8 oz. jars to make even more affordable gifts.
For your convenience, here’s a label you can print off and attach to your holiday gift jars:
(Click on the image above for a PDF to download) Update note: I originally posted this recipe in December 2014, using a 1:1 ratio of cacao powder to coconut sugar. That ratio is not sweet enough for many people (especially my kids!), so I’ve updated the recipe in 2019 to reflect that. This current recipe should be more enjoyable for the general population, but feel free to use a lower ratio of sugar if that’s what you prefer. — Reader Feedback: Do you plan on making any DIY gifts this year? These Gluten-Free Cookies in a Jar are another hit!
