Print

Easy Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix

peppermint hot cocoa mix - featured image
Print Recipe

This Kid-Approved DIY Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix in a Jar is more than just a recipe. It’s a little bit of holiday magic you can hold in your hands. It’s the project that gets the kids involved, the gift that shows you care, and the treat that makes a cold winter day feel a little bit brighter.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (85g) unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • ½ cup (60g) powdered sugar
  • ⅓ cup finely crushed peppermint candy canes (about 4–5 full-sized candy canes)
  • ½ cup (30g) mini marshmallows
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare your candy canes: Unwrap about 4-5 full-sized candy canes and place them in a sturdy zip-top bag. Seal it up, squeezing out as much air as possible. Use a rolling pin to gently bash the candy canes until you have a mix of fine dust and small chunks. You want about ⅓ cup total. Set aside.
  2. Combine the dry ingredients: In a medium mixing bowl, add the granulated sugar, Dutch-processed cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and fine sea salt. If using vanilla powder, add it now. Whisk everything together thoroughly for a good minute or two, making sure there are no lumps of cocoa powder.
  3. Layer your jar: Grab a clean, dry mason jar (pint-sized or quart-sized). If you have a funnel, place it in the top of the jar. Start by spooning in about half of the cocoa-sugar mixture. Tap the jar gently on the counter to level it out. Next, add a layer of the crushed candy canes. Then, add the rest of the cocoa-sugar mixture. Tap the jar again to level it. Finally, top it all off with the mini marshmallows.
  4. Seal and decorate: Screw the lid on your jar nice and tight. Tie a piece of red and white baker’s twine around the neck of the jar and attach a small gift tag with instructions for making the cocoa.
  5. How to make the cocoa: Heat 1 cup (240 ml) of milk (dairy or non-dairy) in a small saucepan over medium heat until steaming hot (do not let it boil). While the milk is heating, spoon about 3-4 tablespoons of the mix into a mug. When the milk is hot, pour about ¼ cup of it into the mug and stir vigorously with a fork or small whisk until the mix is dissolved into a smooth paste. Then, pour in the rest of the hot milk and stir. Top with extra marshmallows or a piece of candy cane, if desired.

Notes

For longer storage, place crushed candy canes in a separate small bag inside the jar to prevent marshmallows from getting sticky. The flavors meld beautifully over time, so letting the jar sit for a day or two before gifting enhances the taste. Always make a paste (slurry) with a small amount of hot milk before adding the rest to avoid lumps.

Nutrition

Keywords: hot cocoa mix, peppermint hot cocoa, DIY gift, mason jar gift, Christmas gift, homemade hot chocolate, kid-friendly

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/easy-homemade-peppermint-hot-cocoa-mix/