You don't have to skip hot cocoa just because you can't have dairy. Here is a Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate recipe with 4 delicious variations.
Oh, the mommy guilt of trying to sneak a cup of hot chocolate so your dairy-intolerant child doesn't see you enjoying something he can't drink! This year I was determined to create a creamy dairy-free hot cocoa recipe that my son could enjoy. I wanted my recipe to be so delicious that everyone would want to drink it, so I wouldn't have to make 2 separate batches of hot chocolate.
The first time I tried Silk Cashewmilk, I knew I found the perfect dairy-free milk to use in my dairy-free hot cocoa recipe. Silk Cashewmilk is so amazingly creamy that it is perfect for any recipe where you need a creamy base, but can't use dairy products.
At only 60 calories a cup, Silk Cashewmilk makes a wonderful low-calorie swap for dairy products. My son doesn't have to watch his waistline, but I sure do! So I am always happy to find a way to reduce calories without skimping on flavor.
To make my dairy-free hot chocolate recipe, I used Silk Cashewmilk, dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate, vanilla, and a little sugar. It is fairly easy to find dairy-free chocolate. Just be sure to read the packaging carefully. Depending on your degree of sensitivity you may want to avoid chocolate that was made on a machine that also processes products that contain dairy.
Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups Silk Cashewmilk
- 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Directions:
- Add Silk Cashewmilk and chocolate to a medium saucepan.
- Cook over a medium flame, whisking occasionally as the chocolate melts.
- As the chocolate melts, whisk more vigorously to incorporate ingredients.
- Do not let the milk boil as that will cause it to form a skin.
- Divide the hot cocoa between 4 cups; top with dairy-free whipped cream and chocolate pieces
Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Variations
Dairy-Free Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Reduce the chocolate to 3 ounces and add 4 crushed candy canes. Top with dairy-free whipped cream and crushed candy canes. Use a candy cane for a stir stick.
Dairy-Free Mexican Cocoa
Add 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon cayenne powder to the chocolate. Top with dairy-free whipped cream, cinnamon sugar, and use a cinnamon stick as a stir stick.
Dairy-Free Mocha Hot Chocolate
Add 3 tablespoons instant ground coffee to the chocolate. Top with dairy-free whipped cream and sprinkle with instant ground coffee.
Dairy-Free Orange Hot Chocolate
Add 1 tablespoon orange zest to the chocolate. Strain the zest from the cocoa after it is done with cooking. Top with dairy-free whipped cream and chocolate pieces. You can also decorate the cup of cocoa with a piece of orange rind if you wish.
Printable Recipe for Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate
- 4 cups Silk Cashewmilk
- 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped into small pieces
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Add Silk Cashewmilk and chocolate to a medium saucepan.
- Cook over a medium flame, whisking occasionally as the chocolate melts.
- As the chocolate melts, whisk more vigorously to incorporate ingredients.
- Do not let the milk boil as that will cause it to form a skin.
- Divide the hot cocoa between 4 cups; top with dairy-free whipped cream and chocolate pieces
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This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.
