For Day Three of Homemade Holiday Gifts Week I present to you: Hot Chocolate Mix.
Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate Mix, to be exact — made with both cocoa powder and chocolate chips for an extra-rich chocolate experience.
Things are getting very chocolatey around here, and I’m not at all mad about it.
Let’s make hot chocolate mix!
This Chai Spiced version puts a warm masala chai spin on classic hot chocolate. With a base of quality cocoa powder and an extra dose of chocolate from chips (or chopped bar), the result is an ultra‑rich, smooth drinking chocolate with cozy spice notes.
The recipe is simple and quick: ten ingredients in total, eight of which are spices, and it comes together in about two minutes if you use a food processor. It’s customizable, easy to package, and makes a thoughtful homemade gift.
Start with a cocoa powder you enjoy: I prefer a dark, non‑alkalized variety and, when possible, fair trade or organic. Trader Joe’s, bulk bins, or your favorite brand will work — as long as the cocoa tastes good to you, the mix will turn out well.
For sweetness, organic cane sugar is a great choice. Half a cup across the whole batch keeps the mix pleasantly sweet without drowning the cocoa and spice flavors.
Chocolate is essential here. Chocolate chips are convenient because they grind easily in a food processor; chopped chocolate bars will work too. Grinding the chocolate into fine flecks helps it melt smoothly in hot milk.
The chai character comes from a blend of spices: cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and a touch of black pepper, plus salt to balance the flavors. These spices bring the familiar warmth of chai tea to a decadent cup of hot chocolate.
This mix is perfect for gifting: fill a jar, attach a label and a ribbon, and you have a lovely homemade present for anyone who loves chocolate. If you’re going all‑in on chocolate gifts, consider pairing the jar with homemade truffles or another small treat.
To prepare a cup, stir 3 tablespoons of the mix into 8 ounces (1 cup) of hot milk — dairy or plant‑based milk both work well. For a mocha‑chai twist, add a tablespoon or two to your morning coffee.
Stay tuned this week for four more easy homemade gift ideas, plus a full roundup of ideas coming Monday, December 18th.
If you make this mix, I’d love to hear how it turned out — leave a comment or share a photo on Instagram so I can see your creations!
Chai Spiced Hot Chocolate Mix
Chelsea Colbath
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Ingredients
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
- 1/2 cup organic cane sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
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1. Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the chocolate chips are ground into very fine bits. Transfer the mixture to a 16‑ounce jar and label with these instructions: Add 3 tablespoons of hot chocolate mix to 1 cup (8 oz) of hot milk.