Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Recipe with Cocoa Powder
This sugar free hot chocolate recipe made with cocoa powder is rich, cozy, and velvety—without using any sugar. Perfect for keto, vegan, or low-carb diets, and made with basic pantry ingredients!
Ingredients
Basic Version (1 Mug):
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder Ghirardelli, Navitas, or Valrhona recommended
- 1½ cups milk whole milk or unsweetened almond, soy, oat
- 1 –2 tbsp natural sweetener monk fruit, stevia, erythritol, or allulose
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract optional
- Pinch sea salt
- Splash of heavy cream or coconut cream optional
Optional Toppings:
- Sugar-free whipped cream
- Sugar-free chocolate chips or shavings
- Nutmeg or cinnamon powder
- Crushed sugar-free peppermint candies
Instructions
Step 1: Mix Cocoa and Sweetener
- In a small saucepan, add:
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1–2 tbsp sweetener
- Pinch of salt
- Whisk together (dry) before turning on heat.
Step 2: Form a Paste
- Add 2–3 tbsp milk to form a smooth paste.
- Slowly pour in the remaining milk while whisking.
Step 3: Heat on Medium
- Turn the heat to medium-low. Heat the mixture until steaming, not boiling. Whisk continuously to avoid clumps or burning.
Step 4: Add Vanilla & Cream
- Once hot, stir in:
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract
- Splash of cream or coconut cream (optional)
- Then turn off heat.
Step 5: Taste & Adjust
- Taste and adjust based on preference:
- Add more sweetener if needed
- Add cream for thickness
- Add espresso for mocha style
Step 6: Serve & Top
- Pour into a mug and top with:
- Sugar-free whipped cream
- Chocolate chips, cinnamon, nutmeg
- Coconut cream swirls or crushed mints (optional)
Notes
This sugar free hot chocolate recipe with cocoa powder is warm, comforting, and easy to customize. Whether you're keto, vegan, dairy-free, or just avoiding sugar, this cozy drink hits the spot with zero guilt and full-on flavor!