Recently, I posted a reel showing my Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa Mix on Instagram and it was such a hit that we decided it needed a permanent home on the blog. Scroll down to watch the video of me making it!
When I was a kid, we just had those standard packets of hot cocoa mix. Pretty convenient of course, but they contain all kinds of oils, gums, and additives, not to mention dairy. So for this winter, I wanted to re-imagine a large-batch hot cocoa mix recipe without the unhealthy ingredients. This way you can easily make and store your mix and then can whip up hot cocoa whenever the mood strikes!
This delectable mix is refined sugar-free, dairy-free, and paleo. It also has just four ingredients, so it’s a fantastic recipe for kiddos to help with! And just a little heads up that creating this mix this week will give you a head start on the fun Valentine’s Day treat I have coming up for you — Hot Cocoa Bombs! Here’s a tiny sneak peek to get you excited…
TIPS AND TRICKS
A few notes for this recipe: be sure to use high-quality, organic cocoa powder. I like this one. If you can’t find vanilla bean powder, no problem, you don’t need it. If you do leave it out, just use vanilla dairy-free milk as the base when you make the hot cocoa for that subtle vanilla flavor. I linked the Almond Cow machine in shop the recipe. It’s a great way to make gum-free milks at home! And finally, maple sugar is my refined sugar-free sweetener of choice here, but coconut sugar can work as well.
And I don’t know about you, but I need my hot cocoa with a big, puffy marshmallow on top! So I’m leaving the recipe for my gluten-free, soft, and fluffy ones right here!
Want more hot cocoa ideas? Try one of these.
For a smaller batch, honey-sweetened recipe, you may like this Against All Grain recipe here.
And if peppermint hot cocoa sounds like just the thing, check out Celebrations page 315.
Hot Cocoa feeling a little lonely? Here are a few of my favorite cookies and treats that pair just perfectly!
Gluten-Free Smores Brownies
Gluten-Free Cinnamon Rolls from Celebrations
Gluten-Free Shortbread Cookies
Watch me whip up the mix on Instagram!
View this post on Instagram
SHOP THE RECIPE
PrintDairy Free Hot Cocoa Mix
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened organic baking cocoa powder
- 2 cups maple sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean powder *
- 1/4 teaspoon Himalayan salt
Instructions
- Pulse all of the ingredients 5 to 7 times in a food processor or blender until the sugar is ground well. Store in an airtight container.
- Use 3T of mix per 1.5 cups of hot dairy-free milk of choice.
Notes
Pulsing the ingredients is not essential if you do not have a food processor, or don’t want to dirty the dishes. It helps the sugar break down, which in turn helps it blend easier into the hot milk. A little extra whisking before drinking will do the trick though!
* If you cannot find vanilla bean powder, use vanilla-flavored dairy-free milk as your base instead
Keywords: kid friendly, beverage, easy, quick, chocolate, dairy free, gluten free, grain free, Danielle Walker, against all grain
2/01/23
Dairy Free Hot Cocoa Mix
I made this recipe today after I read it on the blog. I made it with coconut sugar because I didn’t had maple sugar.
I made it with barista oat milk and it was delicious. Thank you Danielle for again a great recipe. Anna
★★★★★
Can this recipe be make in bulk and stored?!
Yes – enjoy!!
I am making my 3rd batch of this mix. It was a big change at first from the sugar filled mixes but I LOVE it! I do use coconut sugar because that is what I always have on hand. I make a big batch and keep it in a jar on the counter so it is an easy grab. Now that we are entering the cold weather. It will be my go to drink to keep warm.
★★★★★
Hi! So glad you love it! It’s so easy to make your own, right? I love adding a Tbsp to my coffee in the mornings sometimes
Such a great idea! My kids loooove this mix! And I love the ingredients! Thank you!!!!
So glad they love it! It’s a mix you can feel good about.
This is perfection! I have been trying to make a hot chocolate I like for many years. None of them were quite right, but one is perfect! The flavors and smoothness of a cup of this cocoa is just like the old mixed I used to use without all the refined sugar & preservatives. Thank you Danielle! This will be a staple every winter now!
★★★★★
Awesome! I am so happy you like it!