Easy Homemade Hot Chocolate in a Jar Recipes | Healthy Alternatives


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As a modern homesteader and a mom, hot cocoa around the holidays is also a must. But every time my kids would use those packets of store-bought cocoa …

27 replies
  1. John Rekesius
    John Rekesius says:

    Melissa,
    Am just curious, if you start out with dry/dehydrated milk powder, cane sugar, and cocoa powder. I would think it would be easier to just mix the dry ingredients in the right portions and store the hot cocoa mix in a jar so it's ready to use. If there are concerns about the ingredients separating over time, they can be put in a blender to pulverized them so the particle sizes are equal. Why go through the trouble of making a couple of gallons of hot cocoa then freeze drying it to turn it back into a powder? I don't understand.

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  2. Julia Brown
    Julia Brown says:

    Great tip on filling the top and bottom trays less full! I have been quite afraid of any explosions, so I always pre freeze my liquids! My favorites is freezing then in ice cube trays or even sandwich size ziplocks, then open and dump onto the fd tray!

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  3. Robin Griffin
    Robin Griffin says:

    Thank You, Melissa! Perfect timing. I was planning on trying hot chocolate mix for the freeze dryer, now I will just DO IT! Today I completed my 1st batch of brewed coffee and it was a success 🙂

    Reply
  4. AJ Alicea
    AJ Alicea says:

    FYI:
    Melissa I heard about a trick that will help with your processing time with the freeze dryer.
    Take your trays and place them in your deep freezer. Then pour in your liquid. Once it froze solid place it in the freeze dryer to continue your process. Have heard that several people say that this helps even with the cost of the electricity used by the freeze dryer. They have also said that it is quicker this way.
    It could be an experiment for you to try and see if it does work better.

    Reply
  5. Amanda Lashley
    Amanda Lashley says:

    I make a similar cocoa recipe but I use monk fruit sweetener instead of sugar, sometimes I'll use maple syrup but that's a very rare treat since I have to be careful about my sugar intake. I also dissolve the cocoa powder in an equal amount of coconut oil instead of water, it adds to the richness and also makes it taste just a little bit sweeter.

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  6. mylightofhope
    mylightofhope says:

    I like to use coconut sugar in mine to reduce glycemic index naturally! I must say, the freeze drying part seems like much more added effort, time, energy cost to run etc. Just to have to add a mix to water (rehydrate) again. You can just make up a mix and add hot water later.

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  7. Silli Lilli
    Silli Lilli says:

    I've created my own recipe, no sugar, and, add roasted carob powder for added nutrition. I doubt children would like it, because they prefer sweet, but, adults who have reduced sugar as a health benefit, do. You are so creative, thank you for sharing your hot cocoa recipe.

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  8. Just Jen
    Just Jen says:

    My grandfather-in-law in Mexico drinks his hot cocoa without milk (fresh roasted cacao, piloncillo, and water) and it's very common to make it that way there. I got used to it that way after cutting dairy to nurse my CMPA baby and only like it that way now. In case anyone is wondering, it can be done! ☺️

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  9. Beachchic
    Beachchic says:

    I'm so excited for these recipes. I am working on drinks this week coffee, teas and cocoa, very excited for this homemade version. I've got the homemade book but somehow I've never seen the hot cocoa recipe. Will surprise the kiddos with this and see if they approve before I make a big batch for the shelf.

    Reply

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