Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Mix
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can I use other types of milk in this recipe?
Yes! Try whole or reduced-fat milk, oat milk, coconut. hemp or soy milk in this recipe.
Are there any substitutes for coconut sugar?
Try light or dark brown sugar, maple sugar, maple syrup, regular granulated or brown sugar in this recipe.
Can I double this recipe?
Sure can! You can triple it or quadruple it too.
Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Mix
Creamy, rich and flavorful, this Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Mix is wonderful with marshmallows or whipped cream.
Course: Beverage
Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
Servings: 1
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.