Rich, creamy, and gluten free hot chocolate mix in under 15 minutes. You won't be buying any hot chocolate mixes once you try this hot chocolate mix.
Hot chocolate is my favorite drink all year round. I don't care if it's summer, winter, or the fact that I live in a country with a desert climate; hot chocolate will always be my favorite.
Being a big fan of hot chocolate, I can be very picky. Therefore, I'm not the slightest bit impressed with the hot chocolate mixes on the market, especially gluten-free ones.
This gluten free hot chocolate mix will make you love hot chocolate even as an adult.
I know you are probably wondering why you should make this hot chocolate mix recipe when you can just buy one for a few dollars? Well, here are a few reasons why you should:
- Chocolatey & Creamy: This recipe contains actual chocolate, processed into fine crumbs. The use of chocolate bars and not solely cocoa powder makes the hot chocolate chocolatey and creamy.
- Easy: There is not much to making hot chocolate mix, and in 15 minutes, you can have the best gluten free hot chocolate mix between your hands.
- Great shelf life: If the hot chocolate mix is stored in a mason jar that is tightly sealed, the mix can last for 6-9 months. I promise you, though, it will be gone in no time.
- Healthier: Most hot chocolate mixes in the market contain preservatives and hydrogenated vegetable oil. However, since this is a homemade hot chocolate mix, you don't need to worry about any of this as we will be using natural ingredients.
- Makes a beautiful gift: This gluten free hot chocolate mix makes a lovely gift for family and friends.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Ingredients
There are only eight ingredients in this recipe, and each ingredient plays a significant part in the result.
This section will discuss each ingredient and suggest substitutions for those who need it.
- Dark & White Chocolate Bars: The use of chocolate bars makes this gluten free hot chocolate mix creamy and delicious. I used Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate for the dark chocolate. It is the only Lindt chocolate that I use as most of their other products contain barely. If you don't feel comfortable using it, I suggest you try Enjoy Life Dark Chocolate bar, certified as gluten-free and tastes fantastic. Meanwhile, I used Schone White Chocolate Bar for the white chocolate bars. You can use any brand that you personally trust.
- Granulated White Sugar: The sugar will provide sweetness to the hot chocolate.
- Cocoa Powder: Even though we are using chocolate bars, we will still add a bit of cocoa powder. This intensifies the chocolate flavor and makes the gluten free hot chocolate creamy. I used Hershey's Unsweetened Cocoa Powder.
- Corn Starch: Corn starch is optional and can be omitted. However, I used it as it helps thicken the hot chocolate.
- Cinnamon: A small amount of cinnamon is added to the mix to provide flavor and bring out the chocolate.
- Milk Powder: The milk powder makes the chocolate mix creamy and milky. If you are dairy-free, you can use coconut milk powder instead.
Making Gluten Free Hot Chocolate Mix
Homemade hot chocolate mix is simple, but it is essential to follow the steps.
- Freeze the bars: Before processing the chocolate bars, it is essential to freeze them for at least 24 hours. Break the chocolate bars while they are still in their package into small pieces and freeze them for a minimum of 24 hours.
- Process the chocolate bars: Add the frozen chocolate to a food processor, and pulse them into fine crumbs (3-4 minutes).
- Making the Mix: Add and combine the processed chocolate, sugar, cocoa powder, corn starch, cinnamon, and milk powder.
- Storing the Mix: Store the gluten free hot chocolate mix in a mason jar at room temperature. It can be stored for 6-9 months. Ensure that the milk powder you use has at least one year until it expires.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate and hot cocoa are used interchangeably, but each holds a different meaning. Hot chocolate is made with chocolate bars and is richer than hot cocoa. However, hot cocoa is usually made with cocoa powder only and is blended with water instead of milk.
Heat the milk for 1 to 1 ½ minute, at full power in the microwave, before adding the hot chocolate mix. Stir the hot chocolate mix until it completely melts, and enjoy.
Recipes to enjoy with Hot Chocolate!
- Gluten Free White Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gluten Free German Chocolate Cupcakes
- Classic Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gluten Free Double Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Gluten Free Snickerdoodles
- Gluten Free Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes
- Gluten Free Chocolate Pancakes
- Lazy Cake (No-Bake Chocolate Biscuit Cake)
- Gluten-Free Chocolate Muffins
- Chocolate Coconut Balls
Gluten Free Hot Chocolate Mix
Ingredients
- 150 grams of 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate
- 100 grams of White Chocolate
- 150 grams of Granulated White Sugar
- 80 grams of Cocoa Powder
- ½ teaspoon of Corn Starch
- ½ teaspoon of Salt
- 1 teaspoon of Ground Cinnamon
- 30 grams of Milk Powder
Instructions
Hot Chocolate Mix
- Break the frozen dark chocolate and white chocolate into small chunks and add them to a food processor. Pulse the chocolate until you have fine chocolate crumbs (3-4 minutes). Note: for this step to work, the chocolate needs to be frozen for at least 24 hours. Otherwise, it will melt in the food processor.
- In a bowl, add and mix the processed chocolate, white sugar, cocoa powder, corn starch, salt, ground cinnamon, and milk powder.
- Transfer the hot chocolate mix into a mason jar. This mix makes 24 cups of gluten-free hot chocolate.
Preparing a cup of Hot Chocolate
- Heat a cup of milk in a medium-sized saucepan over low-medium heat until the milk starts to simmer (3-4 minutes). Then, add two tablespoons of hot chocolate mix and whisk it in. Once the chocolate is completely melted (2-3 minutes), pour the gluten free hot chocolate in a cup and enjoy.
Notes
- Processing the chocolate: For the chocolate to be processed into fine crumbs, it needs to be frozen for at least 24 hours. This prevents the chocolate from melting in the food processor. For this step, I used my Braun 4-in1 Food processor.
- Storage: The hot chocolate mix can be stored in a mason jar at room temperature for up to six months, ensuring that the milk powder used has at least a year before it expires.
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