By Becky Hardin
Updated Mar 18, 2025
My homemade Malted Hot Chocolate mix is easy to make and way better than store-bought! Just stir it into warm milk for a rich, indulgent drink in seconds. It’s the perfect cozy winter treat — and a thoughtful homemade Christmas gift!
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Hot chocolate is my winter favorite, and chocolate malts are my summer go-to — so I created this Malted Hot Chocolate Mix to enjoy year-round! The malt powder adds an extra punch of flavor, making it the perfect blend for any season.
I have made different flavors like Peppermint Hot Chocolate and even Pumpkin Pie Hot Chocolate but they’re best enjoyed fresh. This instant mix; however, is quick to make, lasts for months, and makes a perfect holiday gift. No slow cooker needed — just stir into warm milk for a rich, cozy treat anytime!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 cups powdered sugar 226 grams
- ▢ 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 84 grams
- ▢ 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder 84 grams
- ▢ 1½ cups chocolate malted milk powder 210 grams, such as Carnation (SEE NOTE)
- ▢ 2 teaspoons cornstarch 6 grams
- ▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams
- ▢ milk or hot water for serving
Optional Add-Ons
- ▢ mini marshmallows
- ▢ Pinch cayenne pepper
- ▢ Pinch ground cinnamon
- ▢ extract vanilla, mint, orange, raspberry, etc.
- ▢ liqueur Irish Cream, Frangelico, Kahlua, Amaretto, or your favorite
Instructions
- Sift all ingredients (except the salt) into a large bowl. Add the salt and whisk until thoroughly combined. Transfer to an airtight container and store until ready to use. 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder, 1½ cups chocolate malted milk powder, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- To prepare, bring 1 cup of hot water or milk just to a simmer. Pour hot liquid into a mug and mix in ¼ cup hot chocolate mix (or to taste). milk or hot water
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Fine Mesh Sieve
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Step by Step
Prepare the instant mix : Sift 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder, 1½ cups chocolate malted milk powder, 2 teaspoons cornstarch (except the salt) into a large bowl.
Add 1 teaspoon kosher salt and whisk all ingredients until thoroughly combined. Transfer to an airtight container and store until ready to use.
Make the malted hot chocolate drink : Heat 1 cup of water or milk on the stove. Pour into a mug and stir in 1/4 cup hot chocolate mix.
Top it off with mini marshmallows, add in some flavoring, or even make it an adult hot cocoa with liqueurs. Enjoy!
How to Store
Store the instant mix in an airtight container, and it will keep for up to 6 months. Use it all winter long!
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy a warm cup of cocoa with my easy s’more cookies in the evening or whip up a batch in the morning to go with my bagel breakfast sandwich .
more hot chocolate recipes to try
White Hot Chocolate with Stormtrooper Marshmallows
Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate (Spiked Hot Chocolate)
Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
Hot Chocolate Bread Pudding Recipe
Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake
Frozen Caramel Hot Chocolate
Crockpot Hot Chocolate
Malted Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Fine Mesh Sieve
Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered sugar 226 grams
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder 84 grams
- 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder 84 grams
- 1½ cups chocolate malted milk powder 210 grams, such as Carnation (SEE NOTE)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch 6 grams
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt 3 grams
- milk or hot water for serving
Optional Add-Ons
- mini marshmallows
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- Pinch ground cinnamon
- extract vanilla, mint, orange, raspberry, etc.
- liqueur Irish Cream, Frangelico, Kahlua, Amaretto, or your favorite
Instructions
- Sift all ingredients (except the salt) into a large bowl. Add the salt and whisk until thoroughly combined. Transfer to an airtight container and store until ready to use. 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 cup nonfat dry milk powder, 1½ cups chocolate malted milk powder, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- To prepare, bring 1 cup of hot water or milk just to a simmer. Pour hot liquid into a mug and mix in ¼ cup hot chocolate mix (or to taste). milk or hot water
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
