Updated on

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Layered Mix

| |

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Jump to Recipe

When the Christmas season rolls around I start thinking about tinsel and trees, strings of lights and Christmas carols, and . . . layered mixes in jars. I can’t help myself. I start drifting toward my shelf of canning jars and imagine how cute they could look with layered ingredients in them. Nothing says Christmas like a layered mix in a jar! 🙂

layered jars of peppermint hot cocoa mix

Last Christmas I had fun making a layered mix for blondie bars that had holiday color using mint green chips. This year’s recipe for a hot cocoa mix has a festive touch too, thanks to the layer of crushed candy canes. I kept the decorations for these jars simple and just used a ribbon around the lid so that the layer of candy canes could still show through. (I like to use these plastic storage caps on the tops of my jars).

One item of note in this mix is that it includes mini chocolate chips. When making a cup of cocoa, the chips add a very nice chocolate flavor but they don’t always melt up right away. Sometimes they want to glop together. If this is a concern, you can simply leave out the layer of mini chocolate chips.

layered jars of peppermint hot cocoa mix

Making the Layers for your Peppermint Hot Cocoa Jars

This recipe makes enough for two pint size jars or one quart size jar. If you’re making two smaller jars, just divide the ingredients up equally between the two jars when layering. Here’s a quick look at the ingredients used for each layer:

1st layer: Milk powder
2nd layer: Nesquick + malted milk powder + cocoa powder
3rd layer: Chocolate chips
4th layer: Powdered sugar + creamer
5th layer: Crushed candy canes

ingredients for homemade peppermint hot cocoa mix

And you don’t necessarily have to layer this mix either. It can work just mixed all together too.

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix - includes option for layering the mix in a jar too - plus free printable label!

Whether you choose to layer or just mix it all together, it’s helpful to include a label on your jar for mixing up a cup of the cocoa. You can use this link for printable labels for either the layered style or the fully mixed style – – > Peppermint Hot Cocoa Printable Labels

More homemade hot cocoa mixes to try:

Print Pin

Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix

This hot cocoa mix is fun for the holidays thanks to a festive layer of crushed candy canes.
Author: Beverly

Equipment:

  • 1 Quart jar or 2 Pint jars

Ingredients:

First layer:

  • 1 cup dry milk powder

Second layer:

  • 1/2 cup Nesquick drink mix
  • 1/2 cup malted milk powder
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder

Third layer:

  • 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

Fourth layer:

  • 6 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 2 tablespoons powdered creamer

Fifth layer:

  • 1/3 cup crushed candy canes

Instructions:

  • In a bowl, mix together the Nesquick, malted milk powder, and the cocoa powder and set aside.
  • In another bowl mix together the powdered sugar and the creamer and set aside.

Layer the ingredients in this order:

  • 1st layer: Milk powder
    2nd: layer: The chocolate powder mixture
    3rd layer: Chocolate chips
    4th layer: The sugar and creamer mixture
    5th layer: Crushed candy canes
  • You can make two pint size jars by dividing the ingredients for each layer between the two jars.

For non-layered jars:

  • Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl and place in a quart jar or two pint jars.

Label the jar:

  • For layered jars, add a label that says to mix all the contents of the jar together and then use 1/3 cup of the mix with 3/4 cup of hot water.
  • For non-layered jars, add a label that says to use 1/3 cup of the mix with 3/4 cup of hot water.

Notes:

You can find printable labels for your jars here: https://www.themakeyourownzone.com/peppermint-hot-cocoa-layered-mix/
 

Need a few more bright ideas?
Sign up for the monthly email newsletter to learn about my latest content and tips for frugal homemade living.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

7 Comments

  1. Delicious. My sister gave this to me for an early Christmas gift. I couldn’t wait to try it. I used 2x recipe instructions for a heaping mug. (I did top with my own whipped cream). Yes, the mini chocolates did not quite melt, but it was a nice chocolaty last sip at the end. Even my husband thought it had a very nice smooth flavor. I’m not a huge fan of peppermint, but when I drank this, I became a fan. My jar came to me premixed, which I thought was nice as all I had to do was pour into a measure straight from the jar. I thought the pictures you have here that show the layers was very pretty, but…I’m actually glad mine was premixed.
    I am going to make some for guests that are coming for a New Year’s Eve party. Terrific gift idea!

    Reply

    1. Nesquick has some sweetener in it too so if cocoa powder is substituted for the Nesquick the mixture might not be as sweet, or the powdered sugar ingredient might have to be increased a bit more.

      Reply

  3. I am wanting to make these for a Christmas wedding favor in 4 oz jars. Would it be best to mix or ok to layer? Would 4 oz be too much for one mug of cocoa?

    Reply

    1. I think they would look cute layered, and a 4 oz jar should be just right for an 8 oz mug of cocoa. I have a recipe for 4 oz jars, although they are not peppermint. You could maybe tweak that recipe to add a teaspoon or two of malted milk powder and/or cocoa, and substitute crushed candy canes or mini chips for the marshmallows. Here’s the link to that 4 oz jar cocoa recipe: Mini Hot Cocoa Jar Mix

      Reply