Homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate (Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free)

This homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe is so simple to make and ready to drink in minutes! It's full of creamy, chocolatey flavor and is the perfect drink to warm you up on a cold winter day. So yummy when topped with some coconut whipped cream, marshmallows, or crushed candy canes. Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Refined Sugar Free

Homemade Hot Cocoa Recipe!

Did you know you can make hot chocolate without a store bought packet? You can! And it's so much easier than you would ever think! Throw a handful of real ingredients into a saucepan and you'll have a mug of creamy, hot chocolate in minutes.

It's not only healthier, but there's also no need to worry about hidden gluten containing ingredients.

What I love most about this recipe is how quick it is to make. You only need a few pantry ingredients and about 10 minutes. The result? A smooth, chocolatey, dairy-free hot cocoa that is budget-friendly, kid-friendly, and holiday-party-approved.

This 4-ingredient verison is the perfect homemade alternative on your next cozy movie night or after a cold day of sledding!

Ingredients you'll need

• Cacao Powder. Navita Organics is my favorite brand. I get a huge bag from Costco that lasts all winter long!
• Your favorite unsweetened plant-based milk. I used Good Karma Flax Milk with Protein for this recipe. It's extra creamy!
• Pure Maple Syrup. I love using pure maple syrup as a natural sweetener in recipes. Again, I get it at Costco!
• Pure Peppermint Extract. I love adding peppermint, but if you're not feeling pepperminty, go ahead and sub in pure vanilla extract.
• ½ cup water...but I don't count that as an ingredient!

Optional toppings:

• Marshmallows
• Crushed Candy Canes
• Coconut Whipped Cream

Looking for more cozy gluten free comfort food recipes? I think you'll love this Gluten Free Chicken Pot Pie and this Loaded Potato Soup (Gluten Free and Dairy Free)

Peppermint Hot Cococolate

This dairy free peppermint hot chocolate recipe is made with a combination of cacao powder, plant-based milk and pure maple syrup making this hot cocoa recipe gluten free, dairy free, and refined sugar free. Add a splash of pure peppermint extract for the perfect wintertime flavor!

If you love peppermint as much as I do, you need to try these Chocolate Peppermint Bliss Balls!

Here's how to make this easy hot cocoa recipe

• Start by combining the water, cacao powder and maple syrup in a saucepan over low heat. Whisk until it turns into a smoothe chocolate syrup.
• Add the milk and raise the heat to medium while continuing to whisk until mixture is well combined. Heat through until desired temperature, but avoid boiling.
• Stir in the peppermint extract then serve immediately topped with marshmallows, coconut whipped cream or crushed candy canes.

Once you try making hot cocoa at home, you'll never go back to the store-bought packets!

If you've tried this recipe, be sure to leave a comment below and tag me on instagram @thrivingglutenfree so I can see how it turned out!

Let's cook!