Turn Your Hot Chocolate Mix Into A Sweet And Creamy Dip

Although most of us use hot chocolate mix solely for making a warm drink, this powdered product can be incorporated into countless recipes to add a burst of chocolate flavor. Beyond mixing a packet into cake batter or a bowl of oatmeal, you can mix powdered hot chocolate with a few other ingredients to create a delicious chocolate dip for your next holiday party.

The simplest way to make hot chocolate dip is to mix the powder with a tub of whipped cream. Many recipes specifically call for Cool Whip, which is more stable, firm, and hold its shape better than regular whipped cream, making for a dip that stays thick and is less likely to turn soupy. Use whipped cream made from scratch or in store-bought form if you prefer a less processed flavor. For the best results, fold the hot chocolate mix into the whipped cream by hand, as an electric mixer can squash the light and fluffy texture. 

Once the mix is thoroughly incorporated, cover and refrigerate the dip until you're ready to serve. As you can imagine, this dip pairs beautifully with graham crackers, cookies, pretzels, marshmallows, and fruit, or any other accoutrements you'd serve at a hot chocolate bar. This chocolatey whipped cream can also be used to top off a mug of hot chocolate for an extra-chocolatey drink on its own, or dip your cookies into it for a delicious twist on cookies and milk.

Given the versatility of hot chocolate mix, it's no surprise that it does wonders to perk up a plain cheesecake filling. Similarly, you can make an easy hot chocolate cheesecake dip by mixing the powder with whipped cream first, then incorporating cream cheese. Not everyone keeps cocoa powder on hand, so hot chocolate mix is a great substitute for adding chocolatey flavor. You can add sugar for more sweetness (though you should keep in mind that hot chocolate mix is already sweeter than cocoa powder), or you can tame the sweetness and add more tang by using sour cream. Bonus points if you add mini chocolate chips and/or marshmallows on top.

You may choose to serve your hot chocolate cheesecake dip alongside various snacks –- cookies, graham crackers, fruit, you get the idea. However, you can also turn it into a real cheesecake by pouring it into your favorite graham cracker pie crust. Bake as usual (or add some gelatin or another stabilizer for a no-bake version), and you've got a chocolate cheesecake so fancy that your guests will be asking where you bought it. Don't worry, as your secret safe is with us.

Another way to incorporate hot chocolate mix into seasonal desserts is by using it in pudding. You can work with a more complicated recipe, or you can simply mix the hot chocolate powder with cornstarch, milk, and cold water for a simple chocolate pudding in a flash. Once your pudding mixture has thickened over the heat, you're ready to refrigerate it in preparation for serving.

To really take the pudding up a notch, you can pair it with other sweet treats. Layer your hot chocolate pudding in a glass bowl with brownies, cookie crumbs, whipped cream, or anything else your heart desires for the ultimate holiday trifle. To make this treat feel more special for serving at a dinner party, try serving it in individual glasses. Make hot chocolate-inspired pudding cups with layers of pudding, marshmallows, and/or cookies. You could also lean into a delicious s'more-inspired direction by filling cups with pudding, graham cracker crumbs, and marshmallow cream.