Hot, smooth, creamy and delicious, this recipe for Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Mix is not too sweet, and is really satisfying thanks to its rich chocolate flavor.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I drink hot chocolate at least one night a week, no matter the time of year, and I believe in this comforting ritual with all my heart.
You might think a hot chocolate mixes aren’t worth bothering with, but this one is lush, creamy and extra wonderful and made with simple ingredients, I promise, and nothing like the stuff that comes in hot cocoa packets!
Here’s a few more good reasons to give this easy mix a try:
- Non-dairy milk in this recipe is creamy and rich, just like the coffee shop down the street.
- Skip the pre-made hot cocoa mix! This is an easy recipe and tastes far superior.
- Use any non-dairy milk you’d like. Almond, coconut or oat milk. Even cashew milk would be great.
- Garnish with marshmallows or other fun stuff (see my tips below) to finish this warm drink before serving.
- This from scratch version of hot chocolate is quick and no fuss, made in a small saucepan on the stove top.
I’d like to point out that hot chocolate with Triple Chocolate Cookies while watching a good movie has been known to ease your troubles. Why not make some Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookies too? Put some in the freezer for later.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Almond Milk: I absolutely love unsweetened almond milk here, but use whole milk if you’d like or your favorite dairy free milk.
- Whipped Cream: Totally optional, I use a dairy-free whipped topping from a tub in the freezer section of grocery stores.
- Coconut Sugar: This gives a deep, rich flavor, and is a pretty main-stream. ingredient these days for people who avoid added sugar, it doesn’t taste like coconut in case you’re wondering.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Buy the regular powdered stuff that comes in a can.
- Cinnamon and Salt: Both huge flavor-boosters, a pinch of each.
- Vanilla: Use pure vanilla extract, it adds a special sweetness you can’t get from anything else and makes a huge difference.
Step-By-Step Instructions
For the full recipe, please scroll down to the recipe card below. Here’s all you do:
- Pour the milk into a medium saucepan over medium heat.
- Add in the cocoa powder, sugar, cinnamon and salt too.
- Whisk, whisk, whisk.
- Add the vanilla extract.
- Pour the hot chocolate into a mug, top with whipped cream chopped chocolate.
Now go sit on the couch and enjoy!
Expert Tips
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness up or down with more coconut sugar. Start by adding a half teaspoon more at a time.
- Add more cocoa powder for a stronger chocolate flavor, adding quarter teaspoon at a time.
- Garnish with marshmallows, whipped coconut cream, frothy milk, chocolate shavings, chocolate chips, a dusting of cocoa powder, a drizzle of caramel sauce, vegan marshmallows or mini marshmallows.
- Make this hot drink spicy for a change of pace! Add an eighth teaspoon chili powder to the mix.
- Make this a wintertime drink by adding a drop of peppermint extract and garnish it with a candy cane.
- You could have a nice breakfast and make these Cherry Puff Pastry Turnovers to go alongside your warm drink.
Serving Ideas
- Hot chocolate needs cookies. Try these wonderful Lemon Shortbread, or these absolutely delicious White Chocolate Dipped Rice Krispy Treats. A Jelly Filled Peanut Butter Cookie would also be excellent.
- Why not start with an easy dinner first? Some cozy choices are this tasty, amazing Taco Pie with Crescent Rolls, Citrus Chicken Thighs or a Shredded Chicken Burrito Bowl.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Try whole or reduced-fat milk, oat milk, coconut. hemp or soy milk in this recipe.
Try light or dark brown sugar, maple sugar, maple syrup, regular granulated or brown sugar in this recipe.
Sure can! You can triple it or quadruple it too.
More Recipes
- Decorated Chocolate Covered Strawberries: A reader favorite, these are as pretty as they are delicious!
- Easy Chocolate Covered Pecans Recipe: Easy and perfect for gifting.
- White Chocolate Popcorn: Decadent and fun for gifting, delish too!
- Maple Roasted Squash with Goat Cheese: This side dish is amazing, and easy to make!
- Spicy Roasted Sweet Potatoes with Yogurt Sauce: An all-time favorite recipe!
- White Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups: So cute, so tasty!
If you’ve tried this Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Mix, or any other recipe on Studio Delicious, please rate the recipe and & I’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
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Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Mix
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups Milk, Almond, coconut or oat milk
- 1 ½ tablespoons Cocoa Powder, unsweetened
- 2 tablespoons Coconut Sugar see notes
- ¼ Teaspoon Cinnamon
- ⅛ Teaspoon Sea Salt
- ½ Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- Whipped Cream for serving
- Shaved Chocolate for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, add the milk and heat over medium high on the stove top. Add the cocoa powder, coconut sugar, cinnamon and sea salt.
- Whisk the ingredients together and, continuing to heat on medium-high until heated through. It'll be smooth and a little frothy.
- Remove from heat, add the vanilla extract, whisk to combine, then pour into a mug and add whipped cream or marshmallows and shaved chocolate, if you like.
Notes
- Use almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk or regular milk.
- Instead of coconut sugar, try maple sugar, maple syrup, brown sugar or regular sugar.
- To make it sweeter, start with adding a half teaspoon more sweetener at a time to taste.
- Garnish with marshmallows, whipped coco cream, some frothy milk (regular or non-dairy, using a milk frother), some chocolate shavings, a little cocoa powder or even a drizzle of caramel sauce.
- Make this hot drink spicy for a change of pace! Add an eighth teaspoon chili powder to the mix.
- Add more cocoa powder for a stronger chocolate flavor, adding quarter teaspoon at a time.
Nutrition
- Super important to read the whole recipe before you begin
- Pay attention to the ingredient list and photos for the recipe
- If possible, prep your ingredients a little before you start
- Always use a sharp knife for safety
- Use the size of pan called for in the recipe
- For savory recipes, taste and season as you go
- Buy fresh, organic ingredients, locally sourced whenever possible
This recipe was updated with new text and instructions July and December, 2021
Hot chocolate every day! I LOVE this idea and why not.
Well that’s an odd movie snack combo! However, I guess it’s similar in flavour to dipping fries in a chocolate milkshake…
Hot chocolate looks amazing, I think you have perfected it.
Hahaha…thanks 🙂
Ohh, love the addition of Cinnamon and Vanilla! Had never added salt before!! Works a treat! Thanks for sharing. Deliciously approved by all the household!
Yay! 🙂
I agree that hot chocolate is great any time of the year! This recipe looks delicious and I love that you use coconut sugar and almond milk!
Yes, so good …..thank you!
I love that you have perfected hot chocolate and that it’s dairy-free! Our family loves hot chocolate and I really cringe at some of the ingredients found in store-bought hot chocolate. Thanks for sharing such a tasty recipe!
No kidding! Thanks so much 🙂
Delicious, creamy and healthy and best breakfast option for sure.
Thank you 🙂
Love the swaps for almond milk and coconut sugar…what great additions to homemade hot cocoa. Your photos are beautiful and this sounds so inviting right now 😀
Oh thank you so much for saying so 🙂
OK I have to say I tend to be more in the hot chocolate when it is snowing camp, but you and your hot chocolate are convincing! Hot chocolate and mashed potatoes? Now that is a creative combo!
Oh, trust me, it works 🙂
Your hot chocolate looks amazingly rich and creamy. A decadent and comforting drink to have while snuggled on the couch. I believe that it can soothe the soul. Thank you for sharing!
Right? Thanks so much! 🙂
This is my new favorite hot chocolate. We had a little cold front this weekend and this hit the spot..Fabulous recipe !!
Yay! 🙂
Just by looking at it you can tell it will be rich, which really makes hot chocolate amazing. My nephews and I always do hot chocolate on the cold days.
It’s the best 🙂
Nothing like a hot chocolate on a winter afternoon!! This one with almond milk and coconut sugar looks sooooo yummy!! I never tried it like that before! Will give it try! 😛
It’s really good, you’d probably love it!
So delicious! I used the recommended almond milk and I will never turn back to regular milk for my hot cocoa!
Yay, great! 🙂
This is for sure the best hot chocolate my family has had. So rich and creamy!
That almondmilk brand is totally my fave, too. Makes this hot chocolate so creamy and delish!
It really does 🙂
I love it! Very easy to make and so comforting.
Perfect, thanks 🙂
I love a good hot cocoa, and this one is delicious. The little bit of cinnamon was fantastic!
It’s good, right? Thanks for sharing! 🙂