How to make a homemade sugar free hot chocolate recipe. This delicious cup of hot cocoa is made with your choice of milk, so it can be dairy free or milk free with almond milk or oat milk. You can also use your choice of sweetener, including stevia or Splenda.
Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Recipe
There are few things better than sipping a delicious creamy cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter night. Sometimes you just need a sweet treat.
This sugar free hot cocoa recipe is the perfect blend of chocolate, vanilla, and cream.
This recipe is easy to make by the cup or double or triple it for a crowd. You can make it on the stove and then pour into a slow cooker to keep it warm for a crowd.
This refined sugar free hot chocolate recipe makes three servings, but I've put leftovers in the fridge and reheated them the next night.
I've tried other diet hot cocoa recipes before, but they always tasted watered down. I like creamy drinks. I wanted a hot chocolate recipe that was rich, creamy, tasted good, and was sugar free.
Is that really possible?
Yes, yes it is!
For more sugar free drink recipes, check out these posts:
- Anti Inflammatory Turmeric Hot Chocolate
- Skinny Gingerbread Latte Recipe
- Healthy Apple Crisp Macchiato
- Sugar Free Dalgona Coffee
- Sugar Free Peppermint Mocha Latte
- Skinny White Chocolate Mocha
- Skinny Vanilla Chai Tea Latte
- Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Instant Pot Infused Water
Does Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Exist?
Yes, there are several kinds of sugar free hot chocolate mixes available. I also have a sugar free hot chocolate mix recipe that’s really good.
However, any mix tastes watered down to me. I’d rather have the best sugar free hot chocolate recipe made with milk instead of water.
You can make this sugar free hot cocoa recipe with almond milk or oat milk. Both versions are delicious. If you are not dairy free, adding the cream gives it a little extra creamy boost.
Are Marshmallows Sugar Free?
Regular marshmallows are not sugar free. If you can not have any sugar, then you will need to find sugar free marshmallows for your sugar free hot chocolate recipe with almond milk.
Can I Heat Up Almond Milk for Hot Chocolate?
Yes, you can heat up almond milk to make sugar free hot chocolate recipe with almond milk. Almond milk doesn’t curdle when heated.
It can curdle in hot coffee, but that’s due to the acidity of the coffee.
What Alternative Milk is Best for Hot Chocolate?
I used both heavy whipping cream and unflavored almond milk to make the best sugar free hot chocolate recipe. The heavy whipping cream gives this homemade sugar free hot chocolate recipe its creamy and rich taste.
I also used unflavored almond milk to cut down on the calories and carbs. Using only heavy whipping cream would be way too rich, but this mixes with the heavy whipping cream nicely.
If you are dairy free or just want a sugar free hot chocolate recipe that's not necessarily keto friendly, then use all almond milk or all oat milk.
Best Sweetener for Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Recipe
I either use monk fruit or stevia to make my sugar free hot cocoa recipe. You can also use Splenda, coconut sugar, or your favorite sweetener.
Stevia is plant based and has zero calories. It's 200 times sweeter than sugar, so use it sparingly.
There are different types of stevia that you can use. One is a flavored liquid. I like these, especially for recipes like this keto hot chocolate recipe.
You can use peppermint stevia drops or vanilla stevia drops for more flavor.
You can also use a powdered stevia. Most powdered stevia has inulin, a carbohydrate, in it. One tablespoon equals 1/2 cup real sugar.
There is also a pure stevia powder. This is very strong, so I rarely use it unless I'm substituting for at least a cup of sugar.
To make a sugar free hot cocoa mix recipe with stevia, you'll use 2 tablespoons of powdered stevia with fiber or 2 teaspoons liquid stevia.
How Do You Dissolve Cocoa Powder in Almond Milk?
Cocoa powder is hydrophobic, which means that it doesn’t dissolve well in water. Therefore, it doesn’t dissolve well in almond milk.
To get the cocoa powder to dissolve in this sugar free hot chocolate recipe with almond milk, I added some cream. This gives your hot cocoa a creamy taste, and it helps the cocoa powder dissolve.
Heating the almond milk will also help the cocoa powder dissolve.
If you use all almond milk or oat milk, just know that you may have to stir often to keep the hot cocoa mixed.
Add Ins for the Best Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Recipe
These add ins may not be sugar free, so be mindful of that if you can not have sugar. I wanted to share them for those who aren't following a strict meal plan and are just looking for a lighter hot chocolate recipe.
- Add a few tablespoons of peanut butter or Nutella while it's heating up.
- Add a 1-3 tablespoons maple syrup instead of the sweetener.
- Add a teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Use peppermint flavored stevia.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon and chili powder.
- Add a tablespoon of maraschino cherry juice
- Add a pinch of salt.
Ingredients for the Best Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Recipe
You will need the following to make sugar free hot chocolate with cocoa powder:
- 2 cups unflavored almond milk
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons stevia or your choice of sweetener
- 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract (make your own vanilla extract from beans or make Instant Pot vanilla extract)
How to Make Sugar Free Hot Chocolate With Cocoa Powder
Step 1
Whisk the cocoa powder and stevia in a medium sized sauce pan to break up any lumps.
Step 2
Slowly add the heavy whipping cream 1 tablespoon at a time and continue whisking.
Step 3
Add the unsweetened almond milk slowly while whisking.
Step 4
Heat over medium/low heat until hot. Do not let it boil or the heavy whipping cream will form a skin on top.
Step 5
Remove from heat and add the real vanilla extract.
Now you know how to make a refined sugar free hot chocolate recipe!
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