How To Make Hot Cocoa Mix Without Powdered Milk

Hot cocoa is the coziest drink to take you through the winter and chilly summer nights. It contains only a few ingredients and you can easily make it at home.

One of the main ingredients in hot cocoa mix is powdered milk which you may want to leave out for several reasons. 

But can you make hot cocoa mix without powdered milk? Yes, you can make hot cocoa mix without milk powder. You can either omit it or replace it with milk powder substitutes. Hot cocoa mix made without milk powder should always be prepared with milk. 

This article includes step-by-step instructions for making hot cocoa mix without powdered milk as well as ways to change up the recipe. 

Can You Make Hot Cocoa Mix Without Powdered Milk?

Hot cocoa mix is a flavorful blend of a few ingredients that make the most heartwarming drink. While you can buy a hot cocoa mix at any supermarket, making it at home is very easy. All you need is a couple of ingredients. 

The main ingredients in the hot cocoa mix are milk powder, cocoa powder, and sugar. You can also add powdered creamer into the mix to make the texture of the hot cocoa a lot richer. 

But what if you don’t use dairy or don’t have any powdered milk at home? Can you make hot cocoa mix without milk powder?

Yes, you can make hot cocoa mix without milk powder. You can either skip it or use another powder substitute that will add richness and creaminess to the drink. 

One thing to keep in mind when making hot cocoa without powdered milk is that you will have to use some kind of milk to prepare it. 

What Is Powdered Milk And Should You Avoid It?

Powdered milk, also known as dry milk, is pasteurized milk that has been evaporated and turned into powder. Milk powder can be made from different types of milk.

Milk powder is a great addition to not only drinks but also candies and baking recipes. Unlike regular milk, powdered milk is a lot more shelf-stable. But it tastes pretty much the same as real milk. 

And what’s even better, it has the same nutritional benefits as real milk. Dry milk is a source of protein, calcium, as well as vitamins A and D. 

So, so long as the powdered milk you are buying doesn’t contain unwanted additives, there is no reason to avoid it unless you have diet restrictions.

Also, some people may want to avoid dry milk to lower the calorie content of their cocoa mix. 

How To Make Hot Cocoa Mix Without Powdered Milk?

Making hot cocoa without powdered milk is very easy. Here’s how: 

Ingredients

• ½ or ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt

Directions

1. Add all ingredients into a bowl and whisk until fully combined. 
2. Transfer the cocoa mix into an airtight container and store it somewhere dark and dry. This homemade hot cocoa mix will last for at least 6 months in the pantry or a kitchen cupboard.
3. Use 2-3 tablespoons for a cup of warm milk. You can adjust the milk to powder ratio depending on your preferences.  To make sure the cocoa and sugar fully dissolve, mix them well with a small amount of milk first and only then add the remaining milk. 
4. Serve with marshmallows, whipped cream, crushed chocolate, and other toppings of your choice. 

Recipe Variations

• Add cinnamon. You either love cinnamon in your hot cocoa or hate it. If you love the warmth this spice adds to the drink, go ahead and add some to the mix. But don’t add a lot. Only 1/8 teaspoon per 2/3 cup of cocoa powder. 
• Use coconut milk powder. If you don’t like the idea of skipping the milk powder in the hot cocoa mix, you can use coconut milk powder instead. It will make your drink creamy while helping you avoid dairy. So, if you don’t mind coconut notes in your hot cocoa drink, go ahead and use coconut milk powder instead of dry milk. 
• Use sugar substitutes. If you are trying to exclude sugar from your diet, you can use your favorite granular sugar substitute, including Swerve and monk fruit sugar. 
• Add vanilla extract. You can always add a dash of vanilla extract to enhance the flavor and aroma of your hot cocoa. 

Does Hot Cocoa Without Powdered Milk Taste The Same?

How cocoa made with a mix that doesn’t contain milk powder will taste and feel a little different. It will obviously lack the milky flavor and won’t be as creamy. 

With a hot cocoa mix that contains powdered milk, you can use water to make the drink. The dry milk will combine with water and result in rich and creamy hot cocoa. 

But if you leave out the powdered milk when making the mix, we highly recommend you use milk to make the hot cocoa. You can use any milk that you like, including non-dairy milk. 

If you don’t have to keep it dairy-free, you can even add some heavy cream or half-and-half to the drink for the ultimate creamy homemade hot cocoa.

Made with milk or non-dairy milk alternatives, hot cocoa without powdered milk will taste quite similar to hot cocoa that has dry milk in it. 

What Else Can You Use Instead Of Powdered Milk In Hot Cocoa Mix?

If you don’t have any diet restrictions, you can use powdered creamer instead of powdered milk. Powdered creamer is the closest substitute for milk powder.

In fact, many people choose to use it instead of milk powder for their drinks as it yields creamier results. 

If you need a non-dairy alternative to powdered milk, you can use not only coconut milk powder as we have mentioned earlier in this article but other powders too. 

Cashew powder is one of the best non-dairy milk powder alternatives. It will add a milk flavor to your hot cocoa drink while also contributing to its texture.

Cashew powder will contribute to the creaminess of the drink without adding any dairy to it. 

Soy milk powder is another good substitute for dry milk for people who eat dairy-free but are not allergic to soy. 

Soy milk powder is made in the same way as regular milk powder. It is simply dehydrated soy milk which makes this powder a good source of plant-based protein. Also, soy milk mixes well with both cold and warm water.

This makes it perfect not only for hot cocoa but for other drinks too. 

Both cashew powder and soy milk powder can be used instead of powdered milk in equal amounts. You can take any hot cocoa recipe that uses powdered milk and use these non-dairy powders instead. 

If you’re on the lookout for some more fun hot chocolate recipes, check out this great video from chef Joshua Weissman!

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