Whip Up the Best 3-Ingredient Dairy-Free & Vegan Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix (Allergy-Friendly & Top 8 Free!)

Only three simple ingredients and your trusty blender are all you need to create this incredibly delicious homemade hot cocoa mix. Imagine a rich, deeply satisfying cocoa that can be effortlessly whisked into your favorite safe milk, transforming into a warm and comforting beverage perfect for chilly winter days. What makes this recipe truly special? It’s completely free of gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts, and tree nuts, making it a dream come true for those with allergies. Plus, it’s proudly vegan and entirely top-8-free, ensuring everyone can enjoy a cup of pure joy!

Do you often find yourself frustrated, searching aisle after aisle at the grocery store for a dairy-free hot cocoa mix, only to come up empty-handed or find options loaded with questionable ingredients? I’ve been there, more times than I can count. As a parent of a five-year-old with dietary restrictions, the thought of my son enduring another winter without the simple pleasure of a warm cup of hot cocoa was simply heartbreaking. For two long winters, this challenge weighed on my mind, a culinary puzzle I was determined to solve. And finally, I did!

Before this breakthrough, my “hot cocoa” solution for my son was limited to a squirt of Hershey’s syrup into his milk. While it offered a semblance of the real thing, I never felt great about the corn syrup and other artificial ingredients lurking within. Yet, having hot cocoa is almost a rite of passage, a cherished winter tradition, so I’d occasionally allow it. After all, we live in the majestic mountains of Utah! The winters here are intensely cold, and after a day of playing in the snow, there’s nothing quite as soul-warming as a mug of hot cocoa to banish the chill from within.

When I first stumbled upon this recipe idea, I was admittedly a little nervous. It seemed “too simple” to actually deliver on its promise. We’ve all been there – something appears too good to be true, and often, it is. But, with fingers crossed and a hopeful spirit, I plunged into the experiment anyway. To our absolute delight, the results were beyond pleasant; they were spectacular! My son, with eyes wide with anticipation, practically vibrated with excitement, waiting impatiently for me to finish snapping photos so he could finally try it. It might be hard to tell from the pictures, but the mug I used for the photoshoot was actually a large soup mug, meaning it held a *massive* amount of hot cocoa. The moment I handed it to him, I turned around for a second, and when I looked back, he had nearly finished the *entire* thing! I couldn’t believe how much that little belly could hold. Seeing his radiant smile, complete with a charming cocoa mustache, I knew instantly that I had hit the jackpot. That look of pure gratitude and satisfaction is what continually motivates me to explore new recipes and find solutions in the kitchen.

The Perfect Winter Indulgence: Rich, Flavorful, and Customizable

This homemade hot cocoa mix yields a remarkably rich and decadent drink. For an extra touch of sweetness and that classic comforting feel, I absolutely love adding a generous handful of vegan marshmallows. Another fantastic tip for an added festive kick is to stir your hot cocoa with a peppermint candy cane – the subtle minty infusion is simply divine, especially during the holiday season.

When it comes to cocoa powder, there’s no need to search for anything overly fancy or expensive. My go-to, and what I recommend for this recipe, is simple Nestle’s cocoa powder. It delivers consistent quality and a wonderful chocolatey depth that makes this mix truly stand out.

The beauty of this mix lies in its versatility with different plant-based milks. My son has thoroughly enjoyed this hot cocoa made with soy milk, rice milk, and flax milk, and it has worked wonderfully with all of them. So, please feel free to use whichever safe milk you prefer or typically have on hand. Whether it’s almond, oat, or coconut milk, this mix is designed to blend seamlessly and deliver a delightful experience.

Long-Lasting Comfort and Effortless Preparation

We’ve only had one significant snowstorm so far this winter, but we’re eagerly anticipating more, hoping for plenty of opportunities for sledding and snow play. I know with certainty that this homemade hot cocoa will be the perfect, most comforting treat after every snowy adventure. One batch of this amazing mix fills a half-gallon Kerr jar, which is where I store it. Considering it only takes about 1 tablespoon per cup of milk, I anticipate this single batch will last us through many more snowfalls and cozy evenings to come. It brings me such peace of mind to prepare it once and then simply enjoy it all season long without any fuss.

And the best part? Making it is incredibly easy – hardly any “work” at all! The process is as simple as dumping all the ingredients into a good quality blender. I personally use my beloved Blendtec blender, which was a gift I cherish deeply – seriously, if you’re looking for a blender, put this on your Christmas wish list! Once the ingredients are in, simply pulse it until everything is perfectly combined and finely powdered. It’s truly SO SIMPLE, yet yields such impressive results!

The Perfect Homemade Christmas Gift for Everyone

As you might have noticed in the very first image, this homemade hot cocoa mix also makes an absolutely ADORABLE and thoughtful Christmas gift. Imagine gifting pure warmth and comfort! Simply procure some smaller, perhaps 8 oz, Kerr glass jars (or any attractive glass or plastic jar you prefer), fill them with your freshly blended mix, and tie a pretty bow on top. It’s a beautifully presented, heartfelt gift. Of course, you could always give out larger sizes, but I confess, I’m a little stingy with this magical mix because it’s so good! I can’t think of a single dairy-free or vegan friend who wouldn’t be absolutely thrilled to receive this. Hot cocoa is truly as classic and universally loved as it gets, and a homemade, allergy-friendly version is even more special.

May your winter days be filled with endless cups of delicious hot cocoa, generously topped with fluffy marshmallows, and shared in the wonderful company of cherished friends and family. And, if you or someone you know is following a specific dietary plan, you might also be interested in this fantastic keto hot chocolate mix recipe by Cassidy’s Craveable Creations. It’s another excellent allergy-friendly option to explore!

Looking for More Allergy-Friendly Christmas Party Recipes?

Absolutely, I have a treasure trove of them! I am passionate about creating delicious, yet completely SAFE and INCLUSIVE food options for holiday parties and gatherings. All of my recipes are thoughtfully crafted to be dairy-free, egg-free, and nut-free. Furthermore, they are all gluten-free, ensuring they cater to a wide range of dietary needs. If gluten isn’t a concern for you, these recipes still turn out beautifully by simply swapping back in regular flour at a 1:1 ratio and omitting the xanthan gum (if the recipe calls for it). Dive into my extensive list below for more delectable and worry-free recipes perfect for your next festive occasion:

Crock Pot Hot Chocolate – Perfect for serving a crowd with minimal effort!
Reindeer Rice Krispies – A fun and festive treat for kids and adults alike.
Eggnog Cupcakes with Eggnog Frosting – Indulge in holiday flavors without the allergens.
Cherry Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies – A classic cookie with a delightful fruity and chocolatey twist.
Maple Cookies with Maple Glaze – Sweet and comforting, like a hug in cookie form.
Soft, Roll Out Sugar Cookies – The ultimate blank canvas for holiday decorating!
Chocolate Orange Cookies – A sophisticated and festive flavor combination.
Rice Krispie Christmas Trees – Another adorable and easy treat for holiday gatherings.
No Bake Chocolate Pretzel Bites – Sweet, salty, and incredibly simple to make.
Chocolate Peppermint Crinkle Cookies – The perfect festive cookie with a cool minty kick.
Dairy Free Fudge – Rich, creamy, and surprisingly easy to make.
Dairy Free Peppermint Patties – A refreshing and classic candy, now allergy-friendly.
Homemade Oreos – A beloved cookie, made safe for everyone to enjoy.
Christmas Rice Krispie Roll – A fun, colorful, and easy-to-slice holiday dessert.
White Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Cookies – Elegant and festive, perfect for gifting.
Peppermint Pie Recipe – A cool, creamy, and refreshing dessert for any holiday table.

If you’d like to watch a step-by-step video demonstration of how this amazing hot cocoa mix is made, please view the fun how-to video below. You can also click to watch it directly on my YouTube channel.

Dairy-free and Vegan Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix (Gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanut & tree nut free; top 8 free)

Yield:
1 Half Gallon Jar of Mix

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Total Time:
10 minutes

Only three simple ingredients and your blender are all you need to make this homemade hot cocoa mix. This rich cocoa can be added to your favorite safe milk to make a warm and comforting drink all winter long. This is free of: gluten, dairy, egg, soy, peanuts and tree nuts and is vegan and top-8-free too!

Ingredients

2 cups sugar
1 vanilla bean pod, seeds scraped out
1 cup baking cocoa powder
Safe milk for serving, we like Vanilla Rice Milk, Vanilla Flax Milk or Coconut Milk

Instructions

Pour the sugar into the blender.
Cut the vanilla bean pod in half. Using a sharp knife, scrap the entire contents out and place them on top of the sugar in the blender.
Add the cocoa to the blender. Pulse or blend until everything is combined and there are no clumps or lumps.
Stir into warmed safe milk. We do 1 Tablespoon for every 8 oz. of milk. Feel free to do more or less depending on your tastes. It’s also great with a candy cane to stir it with, or Coco Whip on top.
If you’d like to try another version, I have a slow cooker hot vegan chocolate that is decadent and creamy.

Notes

*For Vegans–be sure you do vegan safe marshmallows if topping with marshmallows.

Don’t forget to pin this recipe, so you always have it handy when cravings strike! Also, make sure to check out my other allergy-friendly Pinterest boards for more delicious inspiration and safe meal ideas.

Velvety Vegan Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix