This Candy Cane Hot Chocolate in a Jar (Easy DIY Holiday Gift) is a great last-minute edible Christmas gift and tastes delicious! The best part is that it's also very easy for the recipient of this lovely homemade hot chocolate gift to make it. The recipient just empties the contents of the jar into a pot of milk and water and has a delicious homemade hot chocolate in 10 minutes!
Popular during the holiday season and winter months, this homemade hot chocolate in a jar is an edible gift that's easy to make in 15 minutes. It makes a festive and fun treat to gift to teachers, coworkers, neighbors, and friends!
Or you can simply make this hot chocolate with candy cane for yourself (and/or the kids) to sip a cup of hot cocoa while watching a holiday movie! This pairs well with my Gingerbread Snowball Cookies.
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- Recipe Overview: Candy Cane Hot Cocoa in a Jar
- Summarize and Save this Content on:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- 🥘Ingredient Notes
- 📖Substitutions & Variations
- 🍽Supplies for Hot Cocoa Mix
- 🔪How to Make Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Mix
- How to Layer Hot Cocoa in a Jar (The Pinterest-Perfect Secret)
- ☕To make Candy Cane Hot Chocolate
- More Gift Ideas
- 👪Serving Size
- 🌡️Storage
- Why this is the Best Candy Cane Cocoa Recipe
- ❔Recipe FAQ's
- Didn't find the answer you're looking for?
- 🎄More Edible Holiday Gifts
- 📋 Candy Cane Hot Cocoa (in a Jar) Recipe
Recipe Overview: Candy Cane Hot Cocoa in a Jar
- Ready in: 15 minutes
- Serves: 1 jar (makes 4 cups of candy cane hot chocolate)
- Calories: 275 kcal (per prepared mug)
- Main Ingredients: Unsweetened cocoa powder, powdered milk, sugar, candy canes, white chocolate chips.
- Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free option.
- Weight Watchers Points: 5 WW Points per serving (See the "Healthy Swap" section to lower this!).
- Difficulty: Super Easy / Beginner.
- Why You'll Love It: This is the ultimate "Lazy Way" edible gift! It's a festive, candy cane cocoa recipe that you can assemble in minutes using pantry staples. It looks professional, tastes amazing, and is much more thoughtful (and budget-friendly) than a store-bought gift set.
Summarize and Save this Content on:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients are easy to find. These ingredients can be found at most grocery stores. And you can even make your own sparkling sugar if you can't get it (I had trouble finding it during the pandemic, so I made my own-see variations)!
- Delicious homemade edible gift. This hot chocolate mix is as fun and easy to put together as it is to receive (and the kids can help with making it).
- Tried, tested, and truly loved! I've gifted this hot chocolate recipe to many neighbors, friends, and colleagues who have loved it! They especially loved how easy it was for them to make.
Love sharing homemade gifts with friends and family? Try my easy Jujube nougat candy recipe!
🥘Ingredient Notes
For this homemade hot chocolate mix, you'll need:
- Powdered milk and unsweetened cocoa. These 2 ingredients are the key ingredients in hot chocolate. I usually use skim milk powder because that's what I have on hand.
- Candy canes (crushed). Gives this candy cane hot chocolate its candy cane flavor.
- Red and/or green sanding sugar (affiliate links) *you can also make your own (see variations). Sprinkles (sanding sugar) make this hot chocolate super festive and pretty-looking in the jar!
- Cornstarch. Cornstarch thickens the hot chocolate.
- White chocolate chips. Add a rich creaminess to the hot chocolate and give the ingredients in the jar a nice textured look. You can use mini chocolate chips or regular white chocolate chips.
*Please see recipe card for a full list of ingredients and quantities.
📖Substitutions & Variations
- Lactose-free or Dairy-free - use lactose-free or dairy-free powdered milk and vegan white chocolate chips (affiliate links).
- Sanding sugar- you can make your own colored sanding sugar
- Candy Canes - you can use different colors or flavors of candy canes (i.e., cherry)
- Milk Powder - you can use whole milk powder instead of skim for a richer hot chocolate.
🍽Supplies for Hot Cocoa Mix
For this hot chocolate recipe, you will need a small mason jar - I use 500 ml/16 oz wide mouth mason jars (affiliate link) or 1 pint jars used for canning. *You could actually use any jar, as long as it's this capacity, a rolling pin (or a hammer or meat tenderizer), red string, (affiliate link), bows, and tags.
You can buy some simple tags (affiliate link), handwrite or print the directions on them (my printer was broken, so I had to write it out by hand). Or you can also order really awesome printable gift tags from Etsy that you can have personalized, then download and print (affiliate link).
🔪How to Make Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Mix
This homemade hot chocolate mix is easy to make with a few ingredients layered into a jar.
- Stir together dry milk powder and cornstarch. In a 500 ml/16 oz wide-mouth mason jar (or any jar of this capacity), layer half the milk mixture.
- Add cocoa.
- Add remaining milk mixture.
- Add red colored sanding sugar.
- Add green colored sanding sugar.
- Break candy canes into a few smaller pieces and place in a thick Ziploc bag.
- Place the bag of candy canes on a cutting board and roll over with a rolling pin. You can also crush with a meat tenderizer or hammer.
- Add candy cane pieces.
- Add white chocolate chips.
Hint: When you are adding each layer, use a spoon to gently pour the ingredient evenly on top of the layer underneath, then gently tap the jar on the table.
Seal with the lid. Then I add a little bow, a little Ziploc baggie of extra sprinkles, and a small candy cane (to add as the garnish on this Candy Cane Hot Chocolate) to the top of the jar. Then tie on the printable gift tag with the string.
How to Layer Hot Cocoa in a Jar (The Pinterest-Perfect Secret)
The #1 mistake people make when creating a hot cocoa in a jar recipe is ending up with a messy, blended look rather than those beautiful, distinct layers. The "Lazy Way" secret to those perfect "Pinterest-worthy" stripes is the Tamp and Pour method:
- Use a Funnel: Use a funnel to pour each ingredient into the center of the jar. This prevents the powder from sticking to the sides of the glass where the next layer needs to go. Or, when you are adding each layer, use a spoon to gently pour the ingredients evenly on top of the layer underneath, then gently tap the jar on the table. Both methods work well.
- Tamp it Down: After each layer (especially the cocoa and powdered milk), use a small spoon or the bottom of a spice jar to gently press the layer flat. This creates a solid "seal" so the candy cane bits don't sink into the powder.
☕To make Candy Cane Hot Chocolate
- Set a medium-sized pot on the stovetop.
- Pour contents chocolate drink mix in jar into pot.
- Combine 3 cups whole milk and ¾ cups hot water in pot.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking.
- Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring often.
- When slightly thickened, 1-2 minutes, it will be ready.
If desired, serve this hot cocoa mix recipe with whipped cream, sprinkles, and candy canes
More Gift Ideas
Whipped shortbread cookies, Christmas Snack Mix, and this Christmas Biscotti recipe (shown) are perfect for giving along with this hot chocolate mix!
👪Serving Size
This recipe for hot chocolate jars makes 1 gift jar (2 cups of dry mix and fits into a 500 ml/16 oz jar).
When the mix is made into hot chocolate (add the milk and water), it yields 4 cups of candy cane hot chocolate. However, you can double it, triple it, or quadruple it by adjusting the serving size on the recipe card - you'll need more jars. Just click on the serving size and select the number of servings you'd like, and the ingredient amounts will adjust accordingly.
🌡️Storage
Store this homemade hot cocoa recipe for up to 3 months in a cool dry place. Once prepared, the hot chocolate will store in the fridge in a sealed juice container (affiliate link) for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave for 1- 1 ½ minutes.
Why this is the Best Candy Cane Cocoa Recipe
Most candy cane cocoa uses peppermint extract, but my "Award-Winning" version uses real crushed candy canes right in the mix. As the hot water or milk hits the cocoa, the crushed candy melts slowly, providing a natural, sweet peppermint flavor and a festive pink swirl. It creates a much deeper, more authentic flavor profile that extract simply can't mimic.
❔Recipe FAQ's
After assembling your hot cocoa mixture, it can last for up to 2-3 months in the jars, in a cool, dry place. Humidity and/or moisture can reduce the shelf life and/or make it clumpy.
Yes, this mix requires cocoa powder. Cocoa powder is convenient, has a long shelf life, and makes this cocoa mix oh so chocolatey!
I recommend adding whipped cream, then the green and red sanding sugar crushed candy cane it comes with. You can also top this hot cocoa with mini marshmallows, green and red sprinkles (nonpareils or jimmies), more white chocolate chips, chocolate or caramel sundae sauce, Skor toffee bits, or cinnamon. The topping ideas are endless!
Yes! To make a healthy candy cane cocoa, substitute the sugar for a granulated monk fruit sweetener and use fat-free powdered milk. You can even find sugar-free candy canes to bring the Weight Watchers points down to almost zero!
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Hot Chocolate in a Jar is an easy recipe, a fun and festive, thoughtful gift to give and receive. So, if you're looking for a great gift idea, you'll love this Homemade Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix!
🎄More Edible Holiday Gifts
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📋 Candy Cane Hot Cocoa (in a Jar) Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup instant nonfat dry milk powder
- ⅛ teaspoon cornstarch
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup red and/or green decorating sugar
- 4 red, green and white candy canes crushed
- ½ cup white chocolate chips
Garnish
- whipped cream
- red and green sprinkles
- small crushed candy cane
Instructions
- Stir together dry milk powder and cornstarch.
- In a 500 ml/16 oz wide mouth mason jar (or any jar this capacity), layer half the milk mixture, cocoa, remaining milk mixture, colored sugar (s), crushed candy canes and white chocolate chips.
- Seal with lid. Then I add a little bow, a little Ziploc baggie of extra sprinkles, and a small candy cane (to add as the garnish on this Candy Cane Hot Chocolate)
- For gift tag:To make hot chocolate:Pour contents of the hot chocolate drink mix in jar into pot.Combine 3 cups milk and ¾ cups water in a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking. Reduce heat to low, cook, stirring often, until slightly thickened, 1-2 minutes. If desired, serve with whipped cream, sprinkles and candy canes.*Visit https://foodmeanderings.com/candycanehotchocolate for step-by-step directions* Makes 4 cups
Notes
- Use a Funnel: Use a funnel to pour each ingredient into the center of the jar. This prevents the powder from sticking to the sides of the glass where the next layer needs to go. Or, when you are adding each layer, use a spoon to gently pour the ingredients evenly on top of the layer underneath, then gently tap the jar on the table. Both methods work well.
- Tamp it Down: After each layer (especially the cocoa and powdered milk), use a small spoon or the bottom of a spice jar to gently press the layer flat. This creates a solid "seal" so the candy cane bits don't sink into the powder.
- Lactose-free or Dairy-free - use lactose-free or dairy-free powdered milk and vegan white chocolate chips (affiliate links).
- Sanding sugar- you can make your own colored sanding sugar
- Candy Canes - you can use different colors or flavors of candy canes (i.e. cherry)
- Milk Powder - you can use whole milk powder instead of skim for a richer hot chocolate
Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says
What an adorable homemade gift idea! I can't wait to make these next Christmas!!
nancy says
what a fun idea! all the kids loved it!
Terri Gilson says
Glad to hear that, Nancy!
Bea says
I love making homemade gifts & really appreciate getting them. To me there's nothing as special as receiving a gift that someone actually made, it touches the heart so this is perfect. I only wish you had given instructions for single serve but I will try to figure it out based on my recipe. Thanks for sharing!
Joss says
I love this fun and festive hot chocolate! It will be a great gift for my kids.
Melissa says
oh my gosh what a sweet gift idea. Hot chocolate is always better with a little mint flavour anyway!
Terri Gilson says
Thanks, Melissa! I agree 🙂
Vanessa says
The layering looks so beautiful! Such a great, easy gift that will definitely be appreciated after a day out in the cold!
Terri Gilson says
Thank you!
Colleen says
Thank you! I was looking for last minute homemade gift ideas for neighbours and I'm tired of baking, lol. These jars are perfect!
Terri Gilson says
That's great, Colleen! I agree - you get to a point where you want to give something other than baking 🙂
Bernice says
What a fun project for gift giving. I'd much rather give (and get) something homemade than spend countless hours in the mall.
Terri Gilson says
I agree, Bernice! And the mall this year was far from the best place to be!