3 Ingredient, 5 Minute Luxe Hot Chocolate Mix

This 3 Ingredient, 5 Minute Luxe Hot Chocolate mix is gluten free, dairy free, paleo and vegan. I highly recommend keeping it in stock in your pantry at all times for any hot chocolate emergencies!

It’s winter. The days are blustery, chilly and a touch bleak. But even in Sydney, with its very mild winter (really, people!), it’s so nice to curl up on the couch with a mug of this Luxe Hot Chocolate. And, it’s totally a selling point that it’s quick to make up a batch to have on hand for when you want an “instant” hot chocolate ….where “instant” means 5 minutes. All you need to do is measure out 3-4 tablespoons of the mixture and add to some heated milk, and voila…a luxe hot chocolate all to yourself.

This recipe is adapted from one by Smitten Kitchen, but I adapted it to my tastes and to make it Paleo-friendly. It’s a winner and makes a lovely gift for your chocolate-loving friends and family. The sweetness is just right – there’s nothing worse than the cloying sweetness found in many hot chocolates served at cafes.

If you like your chocolate on the spicy side, feel free to add in some cayenne pepper when you make your hot chocolate – it’s unbeatable!

Oh and I can’t forget to include some nutritional information. Cacao has wonderful health benefits, and its phytonutrients will help to feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut microbiome. You can take the gut benefits up another notch by adding some gelatin or collagen powder when making the hot chocolate (requires a blender, not vegan). Gelatin, as opposed to collagen, gives an amazing mouthfeel to this hot chocolate – making it creamier and a bit thicker.

Here’s why you want to make this hot chocolate mix

• Delicious, high quality hot chocolate on demand!
• Very quick to make
• Easy to find ingredients
• Did I mention hot chocolate on demand?!
• Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate
• Perfect for winter gift-giving

3 Ingredient, 5 Minute Luxe Hot Chocolate Mix

3 Ingredient, 5 Minute Luxe Hot Chocolate Mix is deliciously creamy, gluten-free, dairy-free and easy to make.

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Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

To make the hot chocolate mix

• 200 g soy- and dairy-free dark chocolate* (7 oz.)
• 150 g cacao powder (approx. 1 cup)
• 220 g powdered sugar (7.7 oz. Can be made in a blender from regular sugar)

To make the hot chocolate (amounts are per serve)

• 350 mL milk of choice (A little less than 1 1/2 cups. If using coconut milk, use low fat or dilute full fat milk 1:1 with water)
• 3-4 tablespoons dry hot chocolate mixture (use 4 US tablespoons or 3 AUS tablespoons)
• optional: extra sugar (if you prefer a sweeter hot chocolate, you can add a teaspoon of sugar)
• optional: 2 teaspoons of corn starch* or potato starch to thicken hot chocolate
• optional: 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and/or generous pinch of cayenne
• optional: 1 1/2 tablespoons gelatin powder (you will need a blender for this option, not vegan)

Instructions

To make the hot chocolate mix

• Break up the chocolate blocks in to large pieces and place in the bowl of your food processor.
• Process the chocolate for up to 5 minutes, to a small crumb size - they don't need to be fine. Approx 1-2mm in size is ok.
• Add the remaining ingredients and then blend everything for a minute or so.
• Remove to a mixing bowl and then stir by hand with a wooden spoon to ensure everything is well incorporated - sometimes the ingredients at the bottom of the food processor don't mix completely.

To make the hot chocolate

• Measure out your dry hot chocolate mixture. If using corn starch or potato starch for a thicker hot chocolate, add it to the dry hot chocolate mixture along with extra sugar (if using) and stir well to combine. Spices such as cinnamon or cayenne can also be added here. If using cayenne, a generous pinch is enough.
• Warm up milk in a large* saucepan until it's gently boiling. If saucepan is too small it may boil over when the dry mixture is added.
• Add the mixture to the saucepan and whisk for 2 minutes until dissolved. If you added the starch, it will also have thickened.
• Optional: If you are adding gelatin, pour in to the jug of a blender and add the gelatin while the blender is running (if your blender has a top opening). This prevents clumping.
• Pour in to a mug and enjoy!

Notes

• Corn starch as a thickener isn't Paleo - use potato starch or gelatin if you'd like a thicker hot chocolate
• I recommend Frey brand 85% dark chocolate as it is dairy free and soy free, and is also very affordable at only $2.50 a block at Woolworths here in Australia. I believe this brand is also available internationally
• I make my own powdered sugar in a blender but this can also be purchased
• I don't recommend using full fat coconut milk as the hot chocolate will be really rich. You can use half coconut milk, half water and it will taste great