These cold Autumn days get us thinking about comforting food and drinks. We love a bit of fresh hot chocolate on a cold day. This simple recipe for homemade hot chocolate mix is ideal to keep in your cupboard at home. It’s also perfect for winter wedding favours when served up in small jars with pretty labels.

Makes 4 cups powdered hot chocolate mix.

2 cups powdered sugar
1 cup cocoa
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or more to taste
1 cup whole/2% milk

Sift together all dry ingredients. Store in airtight containers. If you are making up portions for gifts or favours, we suggest using pint-sized mason jars and topped with a circle of fabric and a raffia tie.

A small tag with these instructions attached would be perfect – to make hot chocolate: “Add 1/4 cup of mix to the bottom of a mug. Heat 1 cup of milk until hot but not boiling. Pour milk over cocoa mix while stirring or whisking”