Recipe

You'd Never Guess That This Peppermint Hot Chocolate Is Dairy-Free

By Allison Curley at Wake Forest University

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

Ingredients

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

Allison Curley

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.