Sweet and Spicy Hot Cocoa Mix

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Sweet and Spicy Hot Cocoa Mix

Give the gift of a warm cup of cocoa for the holidays, Valentine’s Day or any special winter occasion.

This sweet and spicy hot cocoa mix brings the heat to your mug, all thanks to cayenne pepper. A little spicy and a little sweet (hello sugar, chocolate chips and marshmallows!), this homemade hot cocoa mix recipe brings a unique twist on a classic cup of hot cocoa.

With simple ingredients, this sweet and spicy hot cocoa mix is a cost-effective, but thoughtful, gift for family, friends, teachers, neighbors, hair stylists and anyone else you need to cross off your list. 

Tips for gifting this sweet and spicy hot cocoa mix:

  • Mason jars and hinged jars make great vessels for gifting this hot cocoa mix. If you want to be more sustainable, reuse containers you already have or go thrifting to hunt down secondhand jars

  • Decorate the jar with pretty ribbon, bows or fabric

  • Use a funnel to layer the ingredients in the jar for a neat and orderly appearance

  • Include a recipe card with handwritten preparation instructions. Our instructions call for real milk to make the hot cocoa extra creamy and delicious

Love hot cocoa? Try our Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa, too!

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Sweet and Spicy Hot Cocoa Mix
Start to finish: 5 minutes
Makes: One 17-ounce jar  

Ingredients
¼ cup cocoa powder
¼ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ cup dark chocolate chips
½ cup mini marshmallows 

Method
Layer in a jar in order of ingredients listed. Package with preparation instructions. 

Preparation instructions
Serves 2–3. To prepare, set marshmallows aside. Warm 4 cups whole milk in a small saucepan over medium heat. In a jar, whisk  all ingredients except marshmallows until chocolate chips are melted. Pour into mugs and top with marshmallows.