Don’t you just love winter? Regardless if there is snow or not, I like to curl up by a warm fire, wrap my hands around a mug of something hot (like peppermint hot chocolate – mmm), and read a good book.
My beverage of choice is often creamy hot cocoa. Tea and coffee are staples in my daily routine but sometimes you need a little something more. This time of year I tend to add a bit of peppermint extract.
Peppermint and chocolate: is there anything that goes together better? They are the quintessential treat of the holiday season!
My childhood is packed the memories of peppermint M&Ms, mint chocolate chip oatmeal cookies, and of course, instant peppermint hot chocolate. It was the coveted weekend treat during the winter months.
Over the years my taste buds have become more refined, preferring less sugar-ladened treats. I’m a dark chocolate gal now. The weak milk chocolate stuff doesn’t cut it. Neither do the hot chocolate mixes I once loved.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing; have you read the ingredient list recently? Powdered milk, whey, corn syrup, carrageenan, and well as many other fillers often make up packets that so many of us loved.
For many that need to avoid dairy, or prefer to stick to raw dairy, like myself, powdered milk and whey automatically make many instant packets a no-go, even if we were fine with corn syrup and additives.
Often, if you find mixes that are dairy-free they require you to add the mix to a milk substitute. When I think of hot chocolate mix I want one that can be added to hot water, no extra milk required.
So ensued a quest to make an instant dairy-free hot cocoa.
A few years ago I discovered powdered coconut milk. I created my own regular instant hot chocolate mix. I still use it frequently. It is perfect for gifts, taking on trips, or for a last minute lazy cup when I don’t want to make a cup from scratch!
To celebrate the season, it was time to create a peppermint version of my mix. To do that I added peppermint extract. For an extra bit of peppermint flavor, crushed candy canes are added. Cocoa butter gives a creamy feel to the hot chocolate, but if care to leave it out, the hot chocolate will still be quite tasty.
This is still a special treat since this mix does have quite a bit of sugar. If you are feeling like making an extra special cup top it with coconut milk whipped cream, homemade marshmallows, or a candy cane, or all three…
Instant Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups coconut milk powder
- 2/3 cup cocoa powder
- 2/3 cup sucanat/unrefined sugar
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup coconut butter grated (optional)
- 1/4 cup candy canes crushed
- 1 tsp peppermint extract/ 10 drops peppermint essential oil*
- 1/4 tsp unrefined salt
Instructions
- Sift or whisk the coconut milk powder, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt together.
- Add the peppermint extract or essential oil.
- Add the mini chocolate chips, cocoa butter, and candy canes.
- Shake until thoroughly mixed.
- Add 3 tablespoons (or amount desired) to mug, pour in 8 oz of hot water. Stir until mixed.
- If desired top with whipped cream and marshmallows.
Notes
Nutrition
What is your favourite type of hot chocolate?
Frances
I love the addition of peppermint! -yum!
Suraj nedwaal
Awesome article. The points you mentioned in your article were amazing. Simple and helpful tips.
Tara
Hi Beth, I love your site. This recipe sounds delicious! Where do you find the powdered coconut milk ? I’ve tried peppermint EO in my coffee before and did not like it. I will try the peppermint extract. I have not had the instant hot chocolate since I was a child. I do not give it to my child either, I’d rather make it from scratch. I would love to have something instant!!! I tried using almond milk, but do not like it in the hot cocoa, prefer to use regular or coconut. Thanks!
Katie Mae Stanley
Hi Tara, thank you! I bought my powdered coconut milk from Amazon, it was Wilderness Family Naturals brand. I hope you like the recipe! Sometimes a fron scratch mix can be such a time savoring on busy days. I agree, I prefer to make my regular hot cocoa from milk or coconut milk. As much as I try, almond does not taste as good.
Tara
Sorry, Katie Mae( love the name!) I just read that you were the author. don’t know how I missed that!
Tara
Katie Mae Stanley
Awe, thank you! 🙂 No worries, it’s Beth’s blog, so if you don’t see the name at the top, which I sometimes don’t, it’s natural to think that!
Stephanie
Did you get it from Amazon.com or Amazon.ca?? I am in Canada and can’t find that brand on the Canadian site at the moment. Sounds like a yummy recipe!
Katie Mae Stanley
I’m sorry I missed this Stephanie! I live in the States, so I bought it from Amazon.com. Can you order from Wilderness Family Naturals? They are based out of the US but maybe they ship to Canada? I used their brand.