With the weather getting cooler, I’m excited to enjoy warm beverages again. We’ve been kicking back outside at night and it is so cozy! And if you’ve only experienced hot chocolate from a Swiss Miss pouch then you are definitely missing out! At least that’s what I discovered when I made homemade (dairy free!) hot chocolate for the first time. Whoa, so yummy, and so much healthier than those instant store-bought or coffee shop versions!
Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate
Get ready for the ‘duh’ moment… but using real ingredients made it taste SO much better. Shocking, right? I’m lactose intolerant so I substituted almond milk for regular milk, which made it extra rich and creamy. You can make your own almond milk or use your favorite unsweetened brand.
And hot chocolate is not the same without mini marshmallows (you can totally make marshmallows, too!) and my new favorite thing – a cinnamon stick. Not only does it make your mug look fully fancy, but it also adds its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory benefits right into your hot chocolate.
For an interesting twist, add a tiny (and I mean tiny) pinch of cayenne. It gives it a great kick that nicely balances with the sweet, in addition to contributing its own array of vitamins (A, E, C, K and B6) and beneficial potassium and manganese. Read on for the recipe!
Dairy Free Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 4 ounces dark chocolate/cacaomass (you can use dairy-free chocolate chips if you want it to be completely lactose free)
- 4 dates
- 3 cups almond milk plain, unsweetened
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Whisk together water and chocolate in a saucepan over low heat. Stir from time to time, until the chocolate melts and the mix is well combined.
- Add the sugar and stir until dissolved. Increase the heat and bring the liquid close to the boiling point, then stir continuously for 2 minutes.
- Add almond milk and vanilla gradually, while continuing to stir. Cook until the perfect consistency. Serve in your favorite mug and top with marshmallows!
Photos by Natalia Vanthienen
I started adding almond milk or soy milk to my caramel macchiatos, and i could not believe how much better they tasted,
I tried almond milk in my hot chocolate for the first time last winter and it was delicious! You must be a mind reader because I was craving some this morning.
I just love it and I shared and even pinned it.
Thank you so much for this recipe…I am always looking for lactose-free alternatives. I can’t wait to try this, it sounds yummy!
I substitute almond milk for anything calling for regular milk and I never even notice the difference. It’s my favorite of the milk alternatives!
I’m seriously drooling!
Thanks so much for the recipe. I’m also lactose intolerant. The recipe that I had used before called for cocoa powder. Too too bitter for my taste. I will try this one for sure.
I haven’t tried cocoa powder but the real chocolate makes it super delicious!
A cinnamon stick… why didn’t I think of that?! It must smell heavenly.
Oh man, my mouth is watering– and I’m trying to stop with the chocolate! But seriously, the addition of a cinnamon stick sounds absolutely amazing.
Oh my yum! This looks amazing and I know my boys would love it for sure. Pinning this very second!
Sounds yummy!
I think I’ll try this right now…my feet are cold and so are my hands and I happen to have all the ingredients!
It’s the little things in life that brighten your day, thanks for posting this 🙂
I tried it and it was delicious! I even added a sprinkle of cayenne pepper and it does add a nice kick 🙂
I’m so glad you tried the cayenne! I love that little kick at the end 🙂
I’m not a fan of dairy milk (I hate the smell!), so I always make hot chocolate with almond milk too. And a mix. I need to try it your way next time!