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How to make dairy-free hot chocolate mix. It’s rich, versatile, & perfect for enjoying with your plant-based milk of choice – made with just 4 ingredients in 2 minutes!
Super Quick Dairy-Free Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
Every winter, our vegan hot chocolate/cocoa consumption probably increases tenfold, and the cost quickly builds. Luckily, not only is making homemade hot chocolate mix recipe cheaper than buying some, but it’s versatile, adaptable, and contains no extra additives, preservatives, or dairy.
Simply mix the ingredients and store them ready to add hot plant-based milk when desired. By tweaking your ingredient choice, you can change the flavor, texture, and dietary requirements to your liking – including keto, Paleo, sugar-free, etc. It can even be flavored in several ways.
Even better, it takes just a couple of minutes to mix up enough homemade hot cocoa mix to have on hand and enjoy over several months. When combined with vegan milk, it’s rich, creamy, and super satisfying. Plus, it also makes a great holiday gift jar, optionally topped with mini marshmallows.
Looking for more simple vegan winter warmers? Check out our easy vegan eggnog, mulled apple cider, and vegan Mexican hot chocolate recipes.
The Ingredients
Just 4 inexpensive pantry ingredients make up a delicious DIY hot cocoa mix.
How to Flavor Hot Chocolate Mix
The easiest way to flavor homemade plant-based hot chocolate mix is with spice blends like gingerbread, chai, or pumpkin pie spice. Even a little cayenne pepper will work. Add depth by adding espresso powder for a richer, more intense chocolate flavor.
Alternatively, add flavors when making the hot chocolate. E.g., add a few drops of your favorite extract or syrup (mint, orange, almond, caramel, rose, etc.) to the plant-based milk.
You could also replace the plant-based milk with homemade vegan eggnog.
How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix?
Step 1: In a small bowl, sift in the cocoa powder and powdered sugar. Add the salt and cinnamon (if using), then stir well, and store in an airtight container, like a jar.
FAQs
Yes, you could use dairy-free powdered milk alternatives if you want to make a just-add-water vegan hot chocolate mix. Use a 2:1 ratio of vegan powdered milk to cocoa powder. When preparing the drink, you’ll need 2-3 tbsp per cup of water.
You can technically make this hot cocoa mix recipe with granulated sugar, though we don’t recommend it. It won’t disperse into the mix as evenly, and it takes longer to melt when making the plant-based hot chocolate.
Top Recipe Tips and Notes
- Tweak the ingredient ratio: After preparing the homemade hot cocoa mix recipe, make a ‘test’ mug and adjust any ingredients to your liking.
- Use high-quality cocoa: This is THE dominant flavor of the vegan hot chocolate mix, so make sure it’s one you like the flavor of.
- For a richer vegan hot chocolate mix: Add some real vegan chocolate to the mix. The addition of cocoa butter makes a thicker, richer, silkier drink.
- For a thicker hot chocolate: Add 1-2 teaspoons of cornstarch to the hot chocolate mix recipe. It will thicken when combined with the hot plant milk. Start with 1 teaspoon and then increase after making a test cup.
How to Use Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Mix?
- Heat one cup of plant-based milk per portion either on the stovetop or in a microwave.
- Add 1-2 tablespoons of dairy-free hot cocoa mix per cup of plant-based milk and stir well. Add any optional extra flavorings, then serve in mugs with your favorite toppings – like vegan whipped cream, vegan marshmallows, candy canes, plant-based chocolate shavings, etc.
Storing Hot Chocolate Mix
Store the hot cocoa DIY mix in a cool, dark, dry location like a pantry for up to a year or 6 months if adding vegan milk powder.
Vegan Hot Chocolate
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 cups of plant-based milk plus more if needed
- 1 cup of dark chocolate (chips or shaved bar)
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of instant coffee (optional)
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Whisk regularly to prevent the vegan chocolate from sticking to the bottom of the pot.
- Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer for 10 minutes. Occasionally whisking and scraping down the sides. The mixture will rise, if that happens too fast and is about to spill out of the pot, lower the heat more and give it a whisk.
- Once a creamy rich texture is achieved, turn off the heat, taste, and adjust the sweetness level.
- Remove the pot from the stove. Cover with a lid and allow to cool for 10 minutes.
- Enjoy hot.
Notes
- Use high-quality vegan chocolate: Make sure it’s real vegan chocolate made with cocoa butter and a flavor you like.
- Choose your plant milk carefully: Make sure it’s one you love the flavor of, and use a higher-fat, richer option (like coconut milk) for the creamiest results. A blend of coconut milk and other plant milk makes a great ‘in between’.
- For frothy dairy-free hot chocolate: This works best with barista-style milk, using a handheld ‘frother.’
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
Delicious!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe! 🙂
I love store-bought vegan hot chocolate mix, but can’t always find it. I don’t need to look anymore because this Homemade Vegan Hot Chocolate Mix is so easy to make and tastes way better!
It’s the best and even better that it’s homemade!
Perfect for the holidays!