Vegan Hot Cocoa -Homemade & Delicious!

This homemade vegan hot cocoa mix brings back memorable days from childhood.

Indeed, I love hot cocoa.

Homemade vegan hot cocoa mix brings back memories of my Mom’s homemade hot cocoa, served fresh on those cold winter evenings.

My Mom would make a big batch in her copper bottom pan on the stove using cocoa, sugar, vanilla, and our own milk. Living on a farm, we had the luxury of farm-fresh milk every day.

Marshmallows? Of course! Yes, we’d float those sugary treats, dunking them into the cocoa as we sipped. Mom made sure the cocoa was almost hot enough to scald the milk, but not quite. Therefore, she always included the required spoon. That spoon spent a lot of time stirring, dunking marshmallows, and providing those sips, cooled by blowing gently on them.

Living in the snow belt, we experienced long, cold winters. I’m not sure how much hot cocoa we drank during those frigid days and nights. It was a lot, for sure.

Now in a warmer climate, we enjoy the snow-free lifestyle. But I still enjoy my hot cocoa. In fact, even during the hot summers, the cocoa comes out. It’s usually after dinner as we relax as a family. But sometimes I hear its call on Sunday afternoon.

While I am not against creating each batch from the original ingredients, I’ve found a way to prepare some parts ahead of time. In this way, my hot cocoa is as simple as the instant mixes you find in the store. But I make it dairy-free and vegan. And since I choose the ingredients, I can actually step up the health benefits as I choose.

And, while I no longer use gelatin filled marshmallows, I have found some great vegan replacements. With no corn syrup, gelatin, or other ingredients I choose to avoid, I enjoy these with my cocoa quite often.

Makes about 6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 cup dairy-free milk powder (soy, rice, or coconut)
• ¼ cup of cocoa powder
• ½ cup sugar (you may use granulated, Allulose, or the Vanilla Sugar Recipe below)
• Pinch sea salt

Instructions for The Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa Mix

1. Put the dairy-free milk powder, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt in a bowl and whisk to combine.
2. Store the hot cocoa mix in an airtight container.

To Make 1 Serving of Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa

1. Put ¼ cup of the hot cocoa mix into a mug and whisk in 1 cup boiling water until smooth.
2. Stir in 1 tsp real vanilla extract (omit this if using vanilla sugar recipe)
3. Add marshmallows or whipped coconut cream, if desired.

YES! It is indeed that easy!

Notes

Vanilla Sugar Recipe: Cut 1 vanilla bean into small pieces. Put 2 cups sugar and the vanilla pieces into a food processor or a blender. Process until the vanilla bean is completely minced.  Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place until ready to use.
Spiced Hot Cocoa Mix: Add 1 teaspoon ground cardamom,  1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1 teaspoon ground ginger, and ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg to the mix. Whisk to combine.
Mocha Hot Cocoa Mix: Add 1 to 2 tablespoons instant coffee to the mix and whisk to combine. For a similar flavor without coffee, try using Roma instant beverage powder.
Mint Hot Cocoa: Stir in 1 tsp mint extract. You may use this to replace the vanilla, but I prefer to use both together.

Almond Hot Cocoa: Stir in 1 tsp almond extract either in place of the vanilla or with it. Blending the two extracts offers a deeper flavored drink.

Other possible variations: cinnamon, raspberry, orange, cherry

Try some of the variations I’ve listed. And then add a few of your own. Surprise your family with a batch of hot cocoa and their favorite baked treats.

What a great way to build your own family traditions!

Looking for more treats to try?