Dairy-Free Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
Hot chocolate is one of my biggest weaknesses. During the winter months, it seems like I’m making a cup of hot chocolate each and every night. The liquid chocolate-y goodness instantly warms me up, but each cup packs a disheartening amount of calories, fat, and sugar. I truly believe that you can maintain a healthy lifestyle without giving up the foods you love, so I decided to create a holiday hot chocolate recipe that rivaled the traditional winter drink. Ladies and gentleman, I have succeeded in my mission to create the world’s best peppermint hot chocolate. It is just as creamy, just as rich, and just as sweet as the traditional version with a fraction of the calories, fat, and sugar- plus it can be 100% dairy-free with a few easy substitutes!
So what’s the secret ingredient that makes my dairy-free peppermint hot chocolate smooth and creamy without dairy products? Silk Cashewmilk. Yes, cashew milk exists, and it’s just as amazing as it sounds. It’s much creamier than other dairy substitutes, and it has the slightest bit of a buttery cashew taste. I’ve been using the original Silk Cashewmilk in my hot chocolate each night, and I use the unsweetened version in my cereal and coffee each morning. For the perfect peppermint hot chocolate, I like to mix cocoa powder, a drop of peppermint extract, and a tiny bit of sugar into the original Silk Cashewmilk over the stove. In a few minutes, you’ll have dairy-free peppermint hot chocolate that’s absolutely phenomenal. If you’d like an even deeper chocolate taste without adding dairy, add a few dairy-free carob chips to the mix!
Once your peppermint hot chocolate is warm and bubbling, find the cutest holiday coffee cup that you can find. My little Santa mug always cheers me up, and this oversized mug is perfect for maximum hot chocolate storage!
While the hot chocolate is amazing on its own, I can’t resist adding a handful (or two) of the pink peppermint marshmallows! This final touch takes the recipe to another level in taste and cuteness!
You are guaranteed to love this recipe. The peppermint flavoring makes this hot chocolate taste like Christmas in a cup, but you could easily substitute peppermint extract for vanilla or almond extract, chocolate hazelnut spread, peanut butter, or raspberry puree for a different take on this recipe!
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Serves 2
Ingredients: 1.5 cups Original Silk Cashewmilk 2-3 teaspoons of cocoa powder (to taste) 1-2 teaspoons of sugar (to taste) Drop of peppermint extract Dairy-free carob chips to taste (optional) Peppermint marshmallows (optional) Directions: Warm all of the ingredients in a small pot on the stove or in the microwave until all of the ingredients are completely dissolved. If desired, top with peppermint marshmallows.While the Silk Cashewmilk absolutely shines in my hot chocolate recipe, it’s just as delicious on its own or paired with cereal. You can use Silk Cashewmilk in almost any recipe calling for dairy products, so get creative and share your thoughts! To get the latest Silk news and an instant coupon, sign up for the Silk eNewsletter! If you decide to try out Silk Cashewmilk for yourself, share your thoughts on the Silk Facebook page!
What’s your favorite holiday drink?
This conversation is sponsored by Silk. The opinions and text are all mine.