In the winter, I always want to warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. The problem? I'm dairy-free, and packaged mixes like Swiss Miss always have dairy in them. Instead of missing out on this seasonal favorite, try this dairy-free hot chocolate recipe and enjoy the perfect mix of sweet and bitter hot chocolate with a hint of peppermint.
Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate
- Prep Time:5 mins
- Cook Time:8 mins
- Total Time:13 mins
- Servings:5
- Easy
- 2 cups 1% chocolate Lactaid milk
- 1 cup fat-free Lactaid milk
- 1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 candy cane optional
Ingredients
-
Step 1
Add the cocoa powder and chocolate chips to a large saucepan on medium heat.
Allison Curley -
Step 2
Add both milks and the vanilla extract to the saucepan and mix slowly until all the ingredients are blended.
Allison Curley -
Step 3
Once all is blended, warm for at least 3 more minutes and serve warm. (Optional) Stir with a candy cane and enjoy a hint a peppermint this holiday season.
Allison Curley
Lactaid milk can be found at any grocery store. I chose 1% and fat-free to make this hot chocolate recipe creamy, yet healthier than using heavy cream. The dairy-free chocolate chips I used can be seen below. They are dairy-, nut-, soy-, and gluten free. If you can't find this specific kind, other types of dairy-free chocolate (especially dark) can be found at specialty stores like Whole Foods.
The combination of chocolate chips and unsweetened cocoa powder gives this recipe a perfectly bitter yet sweet taste. I love stirring hot chocolate with a candy cane this time of year, not only for holiday festivity, but also because it adds another hint of sweetness. You can also add a few drops of peppermint oil to really taste both the mint and the chocolate. With this awesome dairy-free recipe, I never feel like I'm missing out around winter time.