A healthy, homemade milk powder recipe using nuts, seeds, and cocoa to recreate the classic malty chocolate drink—delicious, easy, and nostalgic!

Say hello to your new favorite feel-good drink! This homemade Bournvita Milk Powder is a fun, healthier twist on the childhood classic we all know and love. Why rely on processed ingredients, when you can blend wholesome nuts and seeds to recreate that signature malty flavor? I saw this recipe on a blog Wholesome Patisserie and got inspired to recreate it.

When I gave this homemade milk powder to my child for the first time, his eyes instantly lit up with excitement. He absolutely loved it! Watching him enjoy every sip made me feel so good about what I was giving him. And even though I’m not usually a big milk drinker myself, I couldn’t resist a glass. The rich, chocolatey flavor was just that good—comforting, nostalgic, and surprisingly addictive in the best way.

Serve it warm before school or blend it cold as after play treat for kids, this drink is pure comfort and health in a cup.

More About Homemade Milk Powder

This powder is made with using nuts and seeds, unsweetened cocoa powder and dark chocolate. I used cashews, walnuts and almonds. And for seeds I used linseeds (flaxseeds), sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds. These seeds closely mimic the malt flavour of store-bought malted drinks.

I have used 85% dark chocolate chunks for this recipe. You can use dark chocolate chips as well. Dark chocolate with high cocoa content is loaded with nutrients that positively affect our health. Studies show that eating high cocoa content helps to improve blood flow to the brain in young adults.

Eating cocoa daily improves attention, verbal learning, and memory. Also, cocoa is rich in magnesium, an essential nutrient necessary for absorption of calcium.

Use good quality dark chocolate and cocoa powder which does not contain any added flavours or emulsifiers.

For sweetener, I have used unprocessed cane sugar. You can also use coconut sugar. Avoid white refined sugar.

You can substitute sesame seeds for hemp seeds and pumpkin seeds for sunflower seeds in the recipe.

How to Store Milk Powder

Store the powder in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 3–4 weeks. Since this recipe contains nuts and seeds, refrigeration is important to prevent them from going rancid and to keep the flavors fresh and vibrant.

Can I make this Without Nuts

Yes, you can absolutely make this recipe without nuts. Substitute nuts with more flaxseeds, sesame or hemp seeds and pumpkin or sunflower seeds. These seeds closely mimic the flavour of malted drinks.

What else can I use this for

You can use this powder in making porridge for kids. Check out this recipe of Dalia Porridge. You can also use this powder to make protein packed energy balls. This can also be added to cakes, muffins and cookies for delicious chocolatey flavour.

Step by Step Instructions

For detailed recipe, jump to recipe card below!

1. Roasting Nuts and Seeds: While this step is optional, I think it is good to roast nuts and seeds before consuming. It gets easier to digest. Dry roast walnuts and almonds separately till the colour becomes a shade darker. Do not roast for too long or you will get a burnt flavour. This should take 5 minutes. Set them aside.

Now separately roast flaxseeds, sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds till you get a crackling sound and set them aside to cool. Do not roast sesame seeds for too long or it will start tasting bitter.

2. Grinding Nuts and Seeds: Once the nuts and seeds are cooled, take a spice blender jar. Firstly, add walnuts, cashew and sesame seeds and grind them well. Do not grind for too long as it can turn into a paste. Transfer into a large mixing bowl. In the same jar, add flaxseeds, almonds and pumpkin seeds. Grind to a find powder and transfer to the mixing bowl.

3. Grind Dark Chocolate: Now, grind dark chocolate chunks or chips till they are partially broken into a powder. Transfer it to the mixing bowl.

4. Combine the Ingredients: Now combine all the ingredients above. Also, add unprocessed cane or coconut sugar.

5. Cocoa Powder: Lastly, sift in cocoa powder and mix thoroughly till everything incorporates well.

6. Storage: Transfer everything in an airtight container and store the powder in the refrigerator for freshness as nuts and seeds can go rancid soon at room temperature.

7. Preparation: To prepare, add 1 or 2 tablespoons of the powder in a glass of hot or cold milk of your choice and enjoy.

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