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Other than the holidays, I'm not a big fan of winter. There is only one thing that gets me through the cold dreary months and that is a delicious cup of dairy free hot chocolate (with marshmallows of course). I've been mixing up this homemade hot chocolate mix for a few years now and even making my own hot chocolate gift sets to send to family for the holidays. Everyone loves a good cup of hot chocolate!
My favorite way to serve hot chocolate is topped off with marshmallows or coconut whipped cream. Around the holidays, I will also throw in a mini candy cane to get a peppermint chocolate flavor. Yum!
If you're looking for enough hot chocolate to serve to a crowd, check out my instant pot hot chocolate recipe. It's a big hit for holiday gatherings!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Only 4 simple ingredients.
- It take 5 minutes to make.
- It's gluten free & vegan.
- It can be made with any kind of non-dairy milk (oat milk is my favorite!)
- It makes a great gift basket addition.
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Ingredients
Because there are few ingredients in this hot chocolate mix, use the best quality you can find/afford.
- Dark Chocolate - I use Scharffen Berger 62% Semisweet Dark Chocolate Bars for all of my baking as well as this recipe. It's dairy free, soy free and gluten free. For a hot chocolate mix, you want the chocolate to be as fine as possible so it melts quickly. I grate mine with a box grater, but you could also chop it into chunks and pulse it in a food processor or high speed blender.
- Cocoa Powder - I use Hershey's brand, which is both gluten free and dairy free.
- Sugar
- Coconut Milk Powder - This powder adds a creaminess to the hot chocolate. If you don't eat coconut, you can replace it with any other non-dairy milk powder.
See recipe card for quantities.
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scharffen berger chocolate bars
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This recipe is so easy to make. It just takes a bowl and a whisk!
Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and whisk together.
Sift the mixed ingredients to get a finer texture.
Homemade Hot Chocolate Gifts
This hot chocolate mix makes a fantastic gift! The best part is the recipient can make it with whatever milk they like, so it works for all types of diets. Package it in a little jar (like this one that comes with a scoop) and pair it with some cute mugs, a package of marshmallows and some candy canes to make the perfect hot chocolate gift basket.
How to Heat Milk for Hot Chocolate
This hot chocolate mix can be used two ways:
Microwave milk by the cup - For single servings, heat non dairy milk in the microwave. For 8 ounces, microwave the milk for about 90 seconds. Add 4 Tablespoons of hot chocolate mix and stir until dissolved.
Make stovetop hot chocolate - Heat 4-5 cups of your favorite non dairy milk in a saucepan until warm to the touch. Pour the entire batch of hot chocolate mix into the hot milk and whisk until dissolved. Portion into cups and serve.
Equipment
This recipe is simple to make and can be done with a bowl and whisk. For a finer texture, you may also want a box grater and sifter.
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Storage
Store hot chocolate mix in a sealed jar in a cool, dark place for up to 12 months.
Store prepared hot chocolate (already mixed with milk) in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual servings in the microwave.
FAQ
Oat milk makes the best hot chocolate. It is creamy, although not as thick as dairy milk. Avoid coconut milk and almond milk, as both can be a little watery.
Unless you have specifically purchased a dairy free hot chocolate, most mixes will normally contain milk powder. We've replaced that with coconut milk powder to make this vegan hot chocolate mix.
Pure cocoa powder should be dairy free. It is unsweetened and only contains chocolate. My favorite brand is Hershey's cocoa powder which is widely available and both gluten free and dairy free.
Not all brands are gluten free, so check the label. Most brands should be dairy free, although not vegan, due to the inclusion of gelatin. You can find both gluten free and vegan marshmallows at stores like Whole Foods or through online sellers.
Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Mix
Ingredients
- 5 Tablespoons Coconut Milk Powder
- 3 Tablespoons Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 3.5 ounces Dark Chocolate grated
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients together in a large bowl. Whisk until the mixture is well mixed.5 Tablespoons Coconut Milk Powder, 3 Tablespoons Sugar, 1 Tablespoon Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, 3.5 ounces Dark Chocolate
- For a finer powder, run the whole mixture through a sifter.
- Store in an airtight jar.
To prepare hot chocolate by the cup
- Heat 1 cup of non dairy milk in a microwave safe container for 90 seconds. Add 4 Tablespoons of hot chocolate mix to a mug. Pour the hot milk into the mug and stir until dissolved. Top with the garnish or your choice and serve.
To prepare hot chocolate on the stovetop
- Heat 4 cups of non dairy milk in a saucepan until warm to the touch. Add the entire batch of hot chocolate mix to the milk and whisk until dissolved. Portion into mugs and serve.
Notes
Tiffany is the recipe developer, stylist and food photographer behind Well Fed Baker. As a lifelong baker who had to go gluten free and dairy free in 2016, Tiffany strives to share allergen friendly recipes that never feel like they are free from anything.
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