Homemade Hot Cocoa is made simple and healthier with almond milk, cocoa powder and maple syrup, for a dairy-free, refined sugar-free, and vegan treat. Add a little peppermint essential oil or peppermint extract for an extra delicious addition!
Did you know that you can make hot cocoa, from scratch, without a store bought packet?
Not only can you make it yourself, BUT it’s also almost just as easy as using those store bought packets are. I kid you not!
I love making homemade versions of everything I can – from jams and jellies, nut butters, muffins and cookies, to hot cocoa. It saves me money and is often healthier made that way, so if I have the tools and the time available then I’m all about healthier homemade alternatives.
Making everything homemade is something that I was raised on – and even though my Mom didn’t always necessarily make a healthier homemade alternative to something, it was homemade nonetheless. Let’s just say, I was raised in the era where corn syrup and cream of chicken were plenty… ya feel me? 😉
Needless to say, she still made homemade breakfast every week and made dinner every night. My parents didn’t have money to buy takeout, so saving money by making everything at home was the only option at the time. Even though she didn’t always make every recipe healthier, she taught me the value of making things from scratch, and we’ve both learned over time how much healthier you can make things yourself as well.
Have you looked at the ingredients lately at the store bought hot cocoa packets?
I hate to be an ingredient snob, because sometimes there are no better alternatives, and I would rather have my kids drinking a store bought packet of hot cocoa than have them never ever drinking hot cocoa. I love hot cocoa and it’s most definitely a family tradition! However, I also like to educate myself about what food we’re putting into our bodies and what that food can and can’t do for us.
So, lo and behold, the first two ingredients in my beloved store bought hot cocoa packets? Sugar and corn syrup.
Now, to put this in perspective, one hot cocoa packet is small AND it’s also a treat, so you shouldn’t be consuming hot cocoa daily. In my book, a packet of hot cocoa isn’t a deal breaker.
However, if you can make a simple change, to make something a little healthier, cheaper and homemade, would you? Good, that’s how I feel too! 🙂
I’ve traded the sugar, corn syrup and a couple other weird ingredients for:
- Almond milk (or your favorite dairy-free milk)
- Cocoa or cacao powder
- Maple syrup
- Peppermint extract or peppermint essential oil
That’s ALL it takes to make delicious, healthier, homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa. I told you it was easy right? 🙂
Are you ready to make some homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa now?
Did I make you thirsty? I hope so! I also hope that you give this recipe a shot and that you see how truly simple it is to make some delicious, homemade Hot Cocoa that you and your kids will love.
Looking for other fun Holiday Treats? Check out my Gingerbread Rice Krispie Treats or my Chocolate Peppermint Breakfast Cookies.
- 2 cups almond milk (or other milk of choice)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract (or 1 drop of peppermint essential oil)
-
In a small pot, on high heat, combine all ingredients and whisk together thoroughly.
-
Stirring continually, heat until your hot cocoa is steaming and starting to turn into a low simmer. Immediately take off of the heat.
-
Devour!
TIP:Â If your hot cocoa is not smooth enough, and you still have cocoa powder clumps, pour your hot cocoa into a blender and blend it for about a minute. The blender will not only blend your hot cocoa together best but it will also make it extra nice and frothy!
Can we skip the maple syrup and make it sugar free?
I wouldn’t recommend it! You would need to add in some sort of sweetener or it will be too bitter.