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I absolutely love the holiday season, and one of my favorite things is giving homemade gifts like this Hot Cocoa in a Mason Jar gift. It’s a thoughtful and heartwarming present, perfect for everyone from hosts to coworkers, and even our friendly delivery drivers. In this post, I’ll show you the simple steps to whip up this lovely cocoa mix and how to package it beautifully for gift-giving. Plus, it pairs perfectly with our other article about Christmas Cookies in a Jar – imagine gifting a duo of homemade delights!

And to add that extra special touch, we’re including free printable gift tags that you can attach to the jars. Let’s dive into creating these delightful gifts that are sure to brighten up the holiday season!

Supplies & Ingredients Needed for the Hot Cocoa in a Mason Jar Gift Idea:

You can create two 16 oz mason jars of hot cocoa mix using this tutorial, with each jar containing 8 individual servings. In total, you’ll have 16 servings of hot cocoa between the two jars.

Alternatively, if you prefer, you can opt for a larger 32 oz jar and combine all the ingredients in a single jar, resulting in 16 servings as well. This tutorial provides a delightful way to gift hot cocoa in a mason jar.

Equipment and Supplies List for Gifting Jars:

After your jars are filled with the delicious mix, simply wrap a ribbon around the jar, pen a little note with brewing instructions or use the Free printable gift tags provided in this article.

(2) 16 oz mason jar with lids or (1) 32. Oz jar with lid.
Hole punch
Scissors
Bakers twine or ribbon
Printable card stock paper

Ingredients List for Hot Cocoa in a Mason Jar Gift:

Let’s talk about what goes into this cozy hot cocoa gift recipe:

Granulated Sugar: This is the sweet base of our cocoa mix. If you’re up for something different, try maple sugar for a delightful local twist, or make it using your favorite sugar substitute.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: This is where the deep, rich chocolaty soul of our cocoa comes from. Think of it as the heart of the mix. Opting for a good quality cocoa powder really makes a difference.
Powdered Milk: This brings a lovely creaminess to our cocoa, making each sip smooth and velvety. For a vegan twist, coconut milk powder can be a great substitute, adding a little exotic richness.
Chocolate Chips or Mini Chocolate Chips: These little gems melt into the hot cocoa, creating delightful pockets of chocolaty goodness. Mini chips blend in more evenly, but the regular size can be a fun surprise in your drink.
Mini Marshmallows: They’re the fluffy, cloud-like topping that makes cocoa extra special. As they melt, they form a creamy layer that’s just dreamy. If you’re gifting this to someone who prefers less sweetness, you might want to cut back on the marshmallows. Or, for a more natural option, seek out marshmallows made with natural sweeteners.

Assembly Instructions for THE HOT COCOA IN A Mason JAR GIFT:

Putting together the hot cocoa in a mason jar gift is a breeze with our simple guide. Follow the steps below for a flawless layering of ingredients, whether you’re filling two 16 oz jars or one 32 oz jar.

Ingredients for Two 16 oz Jars (or One 32 oz Jar):

1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup whole milk powder
½ cup chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips
1 – 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows

Assembly Instructions:

Prepare Your Jars: Start by ensuring your Mason jars (either two 16 oz jars or one 32 oz jar) are clean and dry.
Layer the Sugar: Begin with ½ cup of granulated sugar in each 16 oz jar. If using a 32 oz jar, use the full 1 cup of sugar. Gently tap the jar on the counter to level the sugar.
Add the Cocoa Powder: Carefully add ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder to each 16 oz jar, or 1 cup if using a 32 oz jar. Level the cocoa by lightly tapping the jar.
Layer the Milk Powder: Sprinkle ¼ cup of whole milk powder into each 16 oz jar, or ½ cup for a 32 oz jar. Level it as before.
Add Chocolate Chips: Add ¼ cup of chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips to each 16 oz jar, or ½ cup for a 32 oz jar.
Top with Marshmallows: Fill the rest of each 16 oz jar with mini marshmallows (about ½ to ¾ cup per jar). If using a 32 oz jar, use 1 to 1 ½ cups of marshmallows.
Seal and Decorate: Seal the jars tightly and decorate them with ribbons, tags, or festive embellishments such as candy canes.

Additional Tips:

Layering: For neat layers, add the ingredients gently. A funnel can be useful for the powdery ingredients.
Instructions Tag: Attach a tag with instructions for making the homemade hot chocolate mix.

Free Printable Gift Tags

CUSTOMIZE YOUR HOT COCOA MIX IN A JAR WITH DIFFERENT VARIATIONS!

The beauty of this gift lies in its versatility and the joy of adding your own unique twist.

Here are a few ides for customizing your homemade cocoa mix by adding other ingredients to create more flavors. Each of these ingredients brings its own special charm to your homemade cocoa mix, making every jar a unique and thoughtful gift. The possibilities are endless, and the joy of creating something so personal and heartwarming is what makes this DIY gift so special.:

Variety of Chocolate Chips: Don’t limit yourself to just traditional or white chocolate chips. The world of chocolate chips offers a vast array of options that can dramatically change the flavor of your cocoa. Consider using dark chocolate chips for a deep, intense chocolate experience, or milk chocolate chips for a sweeter, creamier taste. There are also flavored chocolate chips like mint, raspberry, or even butterscotch that can add an unexpected and delightful twist to your cocoa mix. Mixing different types of chocolate chips can create a complex, multi-layered chocolate experience that’s both unique and indulgent.
Espresso Powder: A teaspoon of espresso powder can intensify the chocolate flavor, adding depth and a subtle coffee undertone that coffee lovers will adore.
Spicy Heat: For those who like a bit of adventure, a dash of cayenne pepper or chili powder can create a spicy hot cocoa that warms you up in more ways than one.
Salted Caramel Bits: A few tablespoons of salted caramel bits can add a sweet and salty dimension to your cocoa, creating a sophisticated flavor profile.
Maple Sugar: Swap out regular sugar for maple sugar for a cozy, autumnal feel. It adds a natural, subtle maple flavor that’s truly comforting.
Peppermint Candies Variation: For a festive and refreshing twist, incorporate crushed peppermint candies or candy canes into your cocoa mix. The minty flavor pairs wonderfully with chocolate, creating a classic holiday taste. You can either mix the crushed peppermint directly into the cocoa layers, or add a small bag of peppermint pieces tied to the jar for a decorative and practical touch.