Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa Mix (Homemade)

5 from 2 votes
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Indulge in the rich flavor of this Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Mix—it’s even tastier than the store-bought ones! It also makes a fantastic option for a DIY holiday gift. This blend is both dairy-free and can be customized to be sugar-free, providing a warm and comforting way to beat the winter chill.

What Makes This Recipe Great

Elevate your gifting game with this fantastic DIY option—just place the mix in a charming jar, tie it with a bow, and accentuate with some greenery. It serves as a thoughtful and practical gift, ideal for showing appreciation to teachers, neighbors, and friends. As an added bonus, this blend is both sugar and dairy-free.

Ingredient Notes

The full ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card of this post.

  • Powdered Coconut Milk: I opt for powdered coconut milk to keep my mix dairy-free, but you can also choose powdered oat milk or powdered soy milk. If you’re not avoiding dairy, regular milk powder works too.
  • Powdered Swerve: For a sugar-free version, I recommend using Swerve. However, if sugar is not a concern, regular powdered sugar is a suitable alternative. I prefer powdered over granulated as it helps thicken the hot chocolate.
  • Cocoa Powder: I use unsweetened, Dutch-processed cocoa powder.
  • Brown Swerve: To keep it sugar-free, I opt for brown Swerve. If you’re not focused on avoiding sugar, regular brown sugar is a suitable substitute.
  • Salt: Fine salt is my preference for balancing the sweetness of the mix.
  • Chocolate Chips: I rely on Hu Kitchen Chocolate Chips for their dairy-free quality.

Recipe Step By Step

  1. COMBINE: Add all the ingredients except for the topping to a large mixing bowl. Mix together until evenly combined.
  2. SIFT: Add mixture to a sifter or sieve to remove any large clumps. This process will ensure your mixture is nice and fine. Stir together one more time making sure there is no white left in the mix.
  3. STORE: Scoop the mixture into containers or jars of choice.
  4. DRINK: place 1/4- 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug along with 3/4 cup of hot water or hot milk of choice. Top with marshmallows or toppings of choice. If you like it extra sweet, stir in some honey.

recipe Tip

Pro Tips

Sifting The Mixture: To ensure there are no clumps, be sure to sift the hot cocoa mixture so that it is smooth and fine. You can add the hot cocoa mixture to a food processor if you don’t have sifter. If you use the food processor make sure to add the chocolate chips after you pulse the mix.

Adding Chocolate Chips: I love adding chocolate chips to the mix to give it a little more creamy chocolate flavor.

Mixing: You can use hot water instead of milk, however, it won’t be as creamy and delicious. I always, always suggest mixing the hot cocoa powder with almond milk or milk of choice for best results.

Toppings & Booze

Feel free to add toppings of choice. The possibilities really are endless, however, below are some of my favorites.

  • crushed peppermints
  • crushed mint chocolate (dairy free if desired)
  • marshmallows
  • M&M’s (if not dairy free)
  • shredded coconut

If you are in the mood for a spiked hot chocolate you can easily add 1 oz of one of the following:

  • Bourbon
  • Dark Rum
  • Baileys
  • Kahlua
  • Peanut Butter Whiskey

An Easy DIY Gift

This delightful hot cocoa mix serves as an ideal and thoughtful do-it-yourself holiday gift for friends, teachers, or neighbors this festive season! It’s especially wonderful for sharing with those who have a milk allergy. You can elegantly package it in a mason jar adorned with a festive ribbon. Personally, I opted for repurposing a Bonne Maman jelly jars, tying them with twine bows, and adding a touch of fresh greenery and berries from my yard. Not only is it a breeze to assemble, but it’s also a budget-friendly option for spreading holiday cheer.

Recipe FAQs

How long can this hot cocoa mix be stored?

Store this hot chocolate mix in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months.

Do I have to sift the mixture?

I highly recommend sifting. This is to ensure there are no clumps. Sifting will get the hot cocoa mixture smooth and fine.

Can I use a food processor to mix the hot cocoa mixture?

You can add the hot cocoa mixture to a food processor if you don’t have a sifter. If you use the food processor make sure to add the chocolate chips after you pulse the mix.

Can I use regular milk powder if I am not dairy-free?

For sure! You can really use any milk powder such as powdered oat milk, powdered soy milk, or regular powdered milk.

How is this hot cocoa mix sugar and dairy-free?

I use Swerve in this recipe instead of regular sugar and powdered sugar. Swerve is a no-sugar and calorie sweetener that comes in both powdered and granulated form. Brown Monk Fruit would also be a great no-sugar sweetener in place of brown sugar.

What is the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa?

Hot chocolate is usually made with a base of thick, melted chocolate and mixed with milk or cream. Hot cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa, sugar, and added flavorings. For my recipe, I use both cocoa powder and chocolate, so it is very similar and close to being the same. Although, hot chocolate will be a little thicker than hot cocoa.

Should I mix hot cocoa mix with milk or water?

You can use hot water instead of milk, however, it won’t be as creamy and delicious. I always, always suggest mixing the hot cocoa powder with almond milk or milk of choice for best results.

Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa Mix (Homemade)

By: Ashley McCrary
5 from 2 votes
Indulge in the rich flavor of this Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Mix—it's even tastier than the store-bought ones! It also makes a fantastic option for a DIY holiday gift. This blend is both dairy-free and can be customized to be sugar-free, providing a warm and comforting way to beat the winter chill.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 6 cups (enough for 3 pint jars)

Ingredients  

Hot Cocoa Mix

  • 2 cups powdered coconut milk*
  • 2 1/4 cups powdered sugar OR powdered Swerve
  • 1 1/3 cups unsweetened cocoa powder I prefer Dutch-processed
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar OR brown Swerve
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
  • 1 cup dairy-free chocolate chips*

Toppings

  • crushed peppermints
  • crushed mint chocolate dairy free
  • marshmallows
  • M&M's if not dairy free
  • shredded coconut

Spiked Hot Cocoa (1 oz of one of the following)

  • Bourbon
  • Dark Rum
  • Baileys
  • Kahlua
  • Peanut Butter Whiskey

Instructions 

  • COMBINE: Add all the ingredients except for the topping to a large mixing bowl. Mix together until evenly combined.
  • SIFT: Add mixture to a sifter or sieve to remove any large clumps. This process will ensure your mixture is nice and fine. Stir together one more time making sure there is no white left in the mix.
  • STORE: Scoop the mixture into containers or jars of choice. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 6 months. 
  • DRINK: Place 1/4- 1/3 cup cocoa mix in a mug along with 3/4-1 cup of hot milk of choice. Top with marshmallows or toppings of choice. If you like it extra sweet, stir in some honey.

Video

Notes

  • I like to keep my mix sugar-free by using Swerve of Monk Fruit. However, feel free to sub regular powdered sugar and brown sugar.
  • If you are not dairy-free you can use regular milk powder.
  • I love Hu Kitchen’s dairy-free chocolate chips.
  • The jars I am using in the photos are old jelly jars by Bonne Maman. Any jar will work as a gift though. 
  • You can use hot water instead of milk when mixing the drink, however, it won’t be as creamy and delicious. 

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe?Mention @healthylittlepeach or tag #healthylittlepeach!

About Me

Mother, wife, cookbook author, recipe creator an open book

Welcome to Healthy Little Peach. I’m Mac, the lady behind the recipes. I believe in living a healthy lifestyle that consists of a mix of healthy whole foods, and full-fat comfort meals. Life is too short not to enjoy good food while maintaining a healthy body and mind. Here you will find gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, keto, and even full-fat comfort recipes. Let’s have fun in the kitchen together!

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Recipe Rating




4 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This mix is creamy and delicious. It also makes the most adorable DIY gift for teachers, neighbors or friends.

  2. 5 stars
    We made these last year for hostess gifts and everyone loved them. Making them again this year and I can’t wait to share.