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.

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