Last Updated on December 9, 2021

Growing up allergic to dairy, I was always forced to pass on the swiss mix packets inevitably passed around this time of year. Even though I did not partake in the powdered cocoa packets, my love for hot cocoa was not hindered.

If you’re like me (who can’t let go of food that you’re allergic or intolerant of), you probably wondered what I do. Well, I just made my own non dairy hot cocoa mix. Vegan. Dairy-free. Plant-based.

To make a plant based hot cocoa drink, you just need 3 ingredients: coconut milk, hot cocoa mix, and a large scoop of vegan marshmallow fluff. Warm the coconut milk before adding the hot cocoa mix and vegan marshmallow fluff. Stir and enjoy! Homemade hot cocoa mix is also super easy to make by mixing powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt!

Christmas bells are ringing everywhere you go. You know what that means? A hot chocolate drink is fully in season! Hmmm, sip your way to the coziness of the holidays with your own non dairy hot chocolate mix!

the best hot cocoa mix

With my vegan non dairy hot cocoa mix, I can have hot chocolate in five minutes any time of the year! No worries about allergies at all. Powdered cocoa mix has a shelf life of 12 months so I make this recipe in batches which sets me up for on-demand hot chocolate for months at a time.

Learn my easy-peasy hot cocoa mix recipe below:

ingredients

• 2 Cups of Powdered Sugar**
• 1 Cup of Cocoa Powder
• 1 Teaspoon of Salt

directions

1. Put the powdered sugar, cocoa, and salt in a mason jar and give it a good shake.

Homemade hot cocoa mix also makes a super cute last minute gift! Grab a simply decorated jar and you’re all set with an easy, plant-based, and delicious gift for friends and family!

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vegan marshmallow fluff

What is a hot cocoa drink without 18,000 marshmallows!? If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know I love s’mores, and I love marshmallows.

The hunt for zero waste marshmallows has definitely been a road block. Homemade marshmallow fluff is the best solution I’ve come up with. It’s a super tasty treat!

ingredients

• 1 Cup of Chilled Chickpea Liquid**
• 1/2 Cup of Powdered Sugar
• 1 Teaspoon of Vanilla

directions

1. Mix the chickpea liquid with a stand or hand mixer on medium-high speed for 5-8 minutes until medium peaks form.
2. Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla, and blend until incorporated.

This mixture will only last a couple of hours before it deflates. At that point, I just store it in the freezer. I’ll defrost it and rewhip when it’s time to prepare myself another cup of my favorite non dairy hot chocolate mix.

If you want stiffer marshmallow fluff, you will need to add cream of tartar.

You can use the chickpea liquid from a can or from dried beans. If this is your first time making aquafaba, I suggest using the liquid from a can so you can get the feel of the consistency. This is a great resource on aquafaba from Minimalist Baker.

non dairy hot chocolate

Hot cocoa drink is usually associated with the cold winter months. One of our intermittent family traditions involved jumping in the car with giant thermoses* of this delicious drink and going to see the Christmas lights.

But of course, cocoa lovers like me will argue that a hot chocolate mix is just as good any time of year – especially if it’s non dairy! 

To make your own ultimate hot cocoa drink, here are the ingredients and super easy instructions:

ingredients

• 1 Cup of Coconut Milk*
• 2 Tablespoons of Hot Cocoa Mix
• Large Scoop of Vegan Marshmallow Fluff

instructions

1. Warm one cup (8oz) of coconut milk.
2. Add two tablespoons of the hot cocoa mix and stir until fully incorporated.
3. Add an extra large scoop of vegan marshmallow fluff!

You probably wonder about the coconut milk. Well, I make coconut milk, and really like the sweet coconutty taste it adds. It’s just so irresistibly yummy!

What are some of your favorite holiday traditions and how are you keeping them zero to low waste?

faq’s

where to find bulk bins of powdered sugar for the hot cocoa mix?

Powdered sugar is pretty tricky to find in bulk bins, but you can easily make your own. All you have to do is blitz regular sugar in a blender.

can I use other types of milk for my non dairy hot chocolate mix?

Of course, you can use any type of milk you like as long as it’s plantbased. You can try almond milk.  but I don’t recommend water. If you want to add a twist, add in some peppermint extract!

what if I don’t add marshmallow fluff to my hot cocoa drink?

If you don’t add the marshmallow fluff, you will need to add 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract to your drink to make it just as amazing.

Vanilla actually increases the flavor of chocolate. It’s often what we associate the chocolatey taste with. Without the vanilla extract your hot cocoa will taste bland.

But, don’t just take my word for it. “Chocolate simply wouldn’t taste like chocolate without vanilla. Chocolate tends to be somewhat dull on its own. Vanilla transforms it,” says Patricia Rain, author of a new book, Vanilla: A Cultural History of the World’s Favorite Flavor & Fragrance.

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