Skip the overpriced cafe packets and make your own Christmas Coffee Mix in a Jar at home. This creamy holiday-style coffee mix has instant coffee, dry milk, vanilla, and mini chocolate chips for a smooth mug with just a hint of chocolate.
It also makes a practical edible gift. Layer it in a jar, tie on a tag, and you’ve got something useful instead of one more dust-collecting knickknack. If you like homemade coffee add-ins, pair it with Homemade Powdered Coffee Creamer or tuck it into a gift basket with Chocolate Mint Coffee Creamer Mix.
Because this is a dry mix, it keeps best in an airtight jar or vacuum-sealed bag in a cool, dry place. The practical shelf life is about 3 months after mixing for best quality, since the nonfat dry milk is the shortest-lived ingredient once opened. If you prepare a mug with hot water, treat any leftovers like a milk-based drink and refrigerate promptly. For basic food storage timing, the USDA recommends storing dry goods in a cool, clean, dry place.
Christmas Coffee Mix in a Jar Recipe
You’ll Need:
- 1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons vanilla powder
- 1/4 cup sifted powdered sugar
- 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
- 2/3 cup instant coffee crystals
Combine the powdered non-dairy creamer, mini chocolate chips, vanilla powder, powdered sugar, nonfat dry milk powder, and instant coffee crystals in a large bowl. Stir until evenly mixed, then transfer to a zip-top bag, vacuum-seal bag, or jar and seal tightly.
To Use:
Add 3 tablespoons of mix to a mug of hot water, stir well, and enjoy. A quick whisk or frother helps dissolve the dry milk and coffee faster if you want a smoother finish.
One batch makes about 57 tablespoons of mix, which works out to roughly 19 servings at 3 tablespoons each. Serve it plain, top it with whipped cream, or dress it up with a chocolate-dipped spoon if you’re feeling festive.
Store the dry mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry for up to 3 months for best quality. If you’ve already made a mug, refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use them within 3 to 4 days. If the dry mix gets clumpy, smells stale, or the chocolate develops a dull white coating, it’s time to make a fresh batch.
Note: Yield, timing, and cost are estimates. This mix measures about 3 1/2 cups total depending on the size of your instant coffee crystals and chocolate chips.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Christmas Coffee Mix in a Jar
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Powdered non-dairy creamer |
$9.44 |
1/2 C. |
$0.27 |
|
Mini chocolate chips |
$2.32 |
1 C. |
$1.16 |
|
Vanilla powder |
$5.94 |
2 T. |
$2.97 |
|
Sifted powdered sugar |
$2.24 |
1/4 C. |
$0.07 |
|
Nonfat dry milk powder |
$9.28 |
2 C. |
$1.74 |
|
Instant coffee crystals |
$5.98 |
2/3 C. |
$1.58 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost |
$7.79 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$0.43 |
📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!
Frequently Asked Questions about Christmas Coffee Mix in a Jar
You can, but mini chips work better because they melt faster in hot water. If regular chips are all you have, crush or pulse them first so you don’t wind up chasing half-melted chocolate around the bottom of the mug.
Vanilla powder is the cleanest swap here because it stays dry, but vanilla bean powder also works. Skip liquid vanilla in the jar mix because even a small amount adds moisture and shortens shelf life fast.
Keep moisture out and you’ll avoid most of the trouble. Use a completely dry jar, seal it tightly, and store it away from the stove or dishwasher where steam likes to sneak in and ruin a perfectly good gift.
Absolutely. The easiest place to cut sweetness is the powdered sugar or the chocolate chips, since the dry milk already helps create the creamy body. Start by reducing the powdered sugar by 1 to 2 tablespoons if you want a milder cup without changing how the mix dissolves.
Start with 4 tablespoons instead of 3 for a bolder mug. That gives you more coffee and more creaminess at the same time, so the drink stays balanced instead of tasting thin and watery.
Yes, and it will taste richer. Use the same 3 tablespoons of mix, then stir it into 8 ounces of hot milk for a more dessert-like drink that’s especially nice when you’re trying to make winter behave itself indoors.
The water usually isn’t hot enough, or the chips are a little too large. Use very hot water, stir right away, and let the mug sit for 30 to 60 seconds before stirring again so the chocolate has time to soften.
Yes, it doubles cleanly because it’s a straight dry mix. Use a very large bowl so the coffee crystals and chocolate distribute evenly, then portion the finished mix into jars before the heavier bits settle to the bottom.
Plan on at least a 1-quart jar. The batch makes about 3 1/2 cups of mix, so a quart jar gives you enough room to fill it comfortably without compressing everything into a brick.
It pairs well with simple cookies, biscotti, or breakfast breads because the drink is already sweet and creamy. For another homemade gift pairing, add a jar of Christmas Biscotti Mix in a Jar and call it done.
Did you make this? Tag us on Instagram so we can see your jar gifts and cozy coffee mugs.
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🖨️ Print-Friendly Christmas Coffee Mix in a Jar
Christmas Coffee Mix in a Jar
Ingredients
- ½ cup powdered non-dairy creamer
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons vanilla powder
- ¼ cup sifted powdered sugar
- 2 cups nonfat dry milk powder
- ⅔ cup instant coffee crystals
Equipment
Instructions
- Measure the powdered non-dairy creamer, mini chocolate chips, vanilla powder, sifted powdered sugar, nonfat dry milk powder, and instant coffee crystals into a large bowl.
- Stir until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Spoon the mix into a clean dry jar, zip-top bag, or vacuum-seal bag.
- Seal tightly and store in a cool, dry place.
- To serve, stir 3 tablespoons of mix into a mug of hot water.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
Prep time is an estimate based on measuring, mixing, and packaging the dry ingredients.
For best quality, store the dry mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for about 3 months.
Prepared coffee should be consumed right away or refrigerated promptly and used within 3 to 4 days.
