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
Cozy up with a mug of 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
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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.
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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.
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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
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