Homemade Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa Dry Mix

There's something about drinking something steaming hot on a cold winter day. It's sustenance. Snow and hot cocoa go hand in hand, and since today marks the first day of snow for this coming winter....yes, it is ONLY November 11th. We are going to have many many more days of cold and snow ahead of us before next spring. And that is why this cocoa dry mix is a fabulous addition to your pantry. Mix up a big batch and have it there ready to drink when you need some encouragement or have a moment of creativity or quiet "you" time.

Or perhaps you will want to share some of this great mix and bottle it up in some pint jars with a cutsie note and some peppermint candies and viola, you have a super cute and special homemade christmas gift for friends, teachers and grannies.

I made this mix from 3 main simple ingredients. The main difference than any other homemade mix is that I used rice milk powder. Like milk powder, but from rice milk and of course dairy-free. I was impressed with its taste and texture. Super fine and silky. So a perfect addition to a hot cocoa mix.

I bought this rice milk powder from Vitacost, but I bet you can find some at a local health store if you are desperate to search for it and buy it right away.

FYI: Now is the time to stock up on healthy holiday baking alternatives from Vitacost. Order today to guarantee you get it here before the holidays and to get the best sale and supply. I buy my coconut palm sugar, coconut oil, and some favorite GF flours. I bet you could find anything you usually bake with around the holidays...except cheaper than the "health" grocery store and maybe you'll even find a healthier alternative too!

Right now a great sale you can buy Wholesome Sweeteners Coconut Palm Sugar, 1 and the other 50% off. Vitacost brand is also offering their organic coconut oil for $16.99 right now which is a great price (5 dollars less than the usual price). There is also Enjoy Life chocolate chips that I love to use because they are allergy-friendly and good.

Also, if you are a first time buyer, you can get a $10 dollar coupon from me for your first order HERE. Super awesome to have a free $10 towards your grocery order, so take advantage and then spread the savings yourself!

Homemade Dairy-Free (vegan) Hot Cocoa Dry Mix Recipe
2 cups of rice milk powder
1 cups of dutch processed dark cocoa
3 cups of powdered coconut palm sugar
  (blend the 2 1/2 cups of sugar with 3 TB of arrowroot powder in high powered blender)
1 ts. of sea salt
1/2 - 1ts. of ground cinnamon
optional additions:
 1 ts. vanilla powder
 1 ts. of pumpkin pie spice
 1 ts. of ground ginger or cardamon

Mix all of the dry ingredients together in a large bowl with a whisk. Then use a funnel to scoop the mix into a canning jar to keep in the pantry or to share as a gift. The mix makes about 3 pint jars full and can easily be doubled or tripled to make enough if you use for gifts. 

To make the hot cocoa, put 2TB of the mix into a 8 ounce mug and pour boiling water or non-dairy milk into the  mix and stir quickly to have it dissolve.  Add some cold non-dairy milk to cool it down and cream it up.

Stay warm and enjoy!