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GET IT NOWMany of you have asked me if you can turn my keto hot chocolate into a shelf-stable sugar free hot chocolate mix, or just omit the chocolate chips. And the answer is a resounding yes — with a few tweaks. In fact, I do this so often that I used to have the info on the same page, but now think it’s more useful to have it separate. This mix is perfect when I have friends and family visiting, work is too hectic to stand over the stove, or my kids want to make sugar free hot chocolate themselves. The cocoa turns out a teeny bit less rich than my other version with chocolate chips, but it’s so worth it to have a pre-made mix on hand. Make a batch with me in just a few minutes!
Why You Need My Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Convenient pre-made mix – This sugar free hot cocoa mix is so easy to make ahead, so you always have it on hand for whenever a craving hits. Just add boiling water and you’re set!
- Just 3 (clean) ingredients, and no refined sugar – Ditch those store-bought packets with mystery additives! When you make your own, you know exactly what’s in it. And while it’s low carb and keto friendly, but my sugar free hot chocolate mix is also perfect if you’re simply reducing added sugar in your life (like me!).
- Perfect for gifting – My powdered mix is not only great for yourself, but also makes a thoughtful sugar free gift during the holidays!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my sugar free hot cocoa mix recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Cocoa Powder – For the best sugar free hot chocolate, I recommend Dutch processed cocoa. It has a rich chocolate flavor without the bitterness that other types have. Raw cacao powder will also work, though.
- Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend – This is my favorite sweetener, especially for drinks because it dissolves effortlessly. Sometimes I use powdered Besti instead. Most other sugar substitutes don’t dissolve well, leaving either a gritty texture or simply settling at the bottom of your mug. Plain allulose is the only other sweetener I’d recommend for this recipe, but you’ll need an extra 1/4 cup. Liquid sweeteners dissolve fine, but they won’t work for a dry mix!
- Heavy Cream Powder – I use this in place of the powdered milk you’d find in store-bought packets, to give your sugar free hot chocolate drink a creamy texture without having to add actual milk. You can also use whole milk powder for fewer calories (but the lactose does have some sugar), goat milk powder if you’re sensitive to cow’s milk, or coconut milk powder for a dairy-free option.
How To Make Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Mix
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
There’s really nothing to it! Just combine Besti, cocoa powder, and heavy cream powder in a glass jar, and shake well. If there are any lumps, break them apart with a whisk or fork. Cover the jar and store it in the pantry.
When you’re ready to make hot cocoa, simply stir 1/2 cup of my sugar free hot chocolate mix with about 1 cup (or a little more) of boiling water. Stir until smooth.
My Recipe Tips
- Choose a large enough jar. You want enough space in there for the ingredients to mix well! I love these jars because the opening is large enough to scoop a measuring cup in there later. If you don’t have large enough jars, you can use any airtight container with a lid, or just whisk in a bowl before transferring to a smaller jar.
- Struggling with lumpy ingredients? Just shaking the jar is usually enough for me, but if you see a lot of clumps, you’ve got a few options:
- Whisk – Breaking up with a whisk is my go-to method, mostly because it’s low effort.
- Blend – Pour the mix into a blender or food processor and whirl for a few seconds.
- Sift – Sift the ingredients through a fine mesh sieve, which has larger openings than a sifter and will let the sweetener pass through. I like this one because it has little hooks to place over a bowl.
- For an even richer sugar free hot chocolate, make it with warm milk. The mix already has heavy cream powder so it’s not strictly required (hot water works just fine!), but milk makes it even more creamy. You can use regular dairy milk if it fits your lifestyle, or coconut or almond milk also work great.
- Leave enough space in your mug. You’ll need to stir fast to get the mixture to dissolve, so you need enough space to prevent the liquid from splashing all over the place!
- Want a frothy texture? Mix your sugar free hot chocolate with hot water (or milk) in a saucepan instead of a cup, and whisk fast. You can even use a milk frother or blender.
- Want to extra flavor? Stir in chili powder for a Mexican-inspired vibe, peppermint powder for a festive touch, vanilla bean powder (my favorite add-in) for literally any day, or either cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice for fall. For all of these, I recommend starting with 1/2 teaspoon for the entire batch, and you can always add more to your taste after you try a cup.
- Can you double the recipe? Absolutely! My sugar free hot chocolate recipe makes enough mix for 4 cups, but feel free to increase it. Just update the number of servings you want on the recipe card below.
Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Mix (3 Ingredients)
Whip up my cozy sugar free hot chocolate mix with just 3 ingredients! It makes a rich, chocolaty hot cocoa in minutes, without refined sugar.
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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In a large jar, combine Besti, cocoa powder, and heavy cream powder. Shake well. If there are any lumps, break them apart with a whisk or fork.
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To make hot cocoa, place 1/2 cup of sugar free hot chocolate mix into a mug, and pour about 1 cup (or slightly more) boiling water over it. Stir until smooth.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1/2 cup of dry mix (makes ~10 fluid ounces of prepared hot cocoa)
- Tips: Don’t miss my recipe tips above to help you get a uniform dry mix, what to do if your ingredients are lumpy, how to make your sugar free hot chocolate even more creamy or frothy, and ways to make different flavors!
- Storage: The mix will keep in the pantry for up to 1 year.
- Want a richer version? My keto hot chocolate recipe is similar, but with melted chocolate chips added for a more intense chocolate flavor.
- Note on nutrition info: This includes just the dry mix and assumes you make your hot chocolate using hot water. If you make it with milk, the macros and calories will be higher.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Mix
20 Comments
MITZI
0Trying to cut sugar way down, this sounded perfect. I have never used sugar substitute nor have I used powdered cream. I think maybe the cream is actually too heavy for me. I am going to add COCOA, not sure how much, but I think that is really the only problem. It is not chocolatey enough for me. Hot cocoa mix is a lot darker, higher ratio of chocolate flavor. A person needs the taste she is used to.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Thank you for the feedback, Mitzi! This recipe is very rich, so you can choose milk powder instad of cream if the cream is too rich for you. This recipe does have cocoa powder, I just want to confirm you did include that? I actually find this hot chocolate mix to be darker than packets I’ve tried from the store.
Andrew Bain
0Hello Maya, I have a question? Where I live here in Prince Edward island, Canada i am unable to find Besti Monk Fruit Allulose Blend but I have found truvia cane sugar blend, yes I know not the same but if i was to use this blend do you have any idea how much truvia I should use in this recipe. Thanks in advance, Andrew
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Andrew, You can order Besti here. I don’t recommend Truvia because it doesn’t dissolve well and can crystallize. You could try the same amount but it’s likely to settle at the bottom of your cup.
JAM
0The powdered cream is nasty. Leaves white chunks on the surface and has an odd aftertaste. Won’t try again. Wasted $19.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Sorry to hear you had issues with the powdered cream. Sometimes it clumps if you don’t mix it well enough with the other ingredients in the mix, but you should still be able to get rid of any chunks you see if you stir really fast. It shouldn’t have any odd aftertaste though, so that makes me wonder if you got a bad batch?
Joddie
0On hand ingredients, with no settling in the bottom of the cup..
Jackie
0This was so easy to put together and it makes amazing hot cocoa! It tastes richer and a little more dark chocolate than a traditional packet, but I loved it! Perfect healthier treat for me when the kids are having their cocoa.
Cheryl
0Could I add mini semisweet chocolate chips to the mix
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Cheryl, Yes, absolutely!
Linda Dreher
0Made this for myself and it is delicious. I used powdered milk and it tasted great.
I have it instead of coffee in the morning and a sweet drink before bed.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m glad you liked this hot chocolate mix, Linda! Adding it to coffee sounds delicious for a mocha drink.
Diane Brown
0The milk powder can be expensive. Is there anything else I can substitute instead of the powders?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Diane, Unfortunately I don’t have a substitute for the milk or cream powder if you want to make a mix, but you can make my keto hot chocolate without a milk-based powder, as it uses milk and cream instead.
Mary Luecke
0Instead of using heavy cream powder, could I substitute Primal Kitchen Primal Fuel Vanilla Coconut Whey Protein Drink Mix, Gluten and Soy Free, WHEY PROTEIN POWDER: 10 grams of protein and 1 gram of sugar per serving? I use this product to make my coffee creamer: IIiuse organic cocnu. Thank you.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Mary, I haven’t used this drink mix so I don’t know, sorry. Let me know how it turns out if you try it.
Cyn W
0This is a good mix. I substituted powdered monk fruit/erythritol for the allulose/Besti, but I liked it. Thanks!
Joddie
0Perfectly simple recipe for a rainy day 🙂
Cheryl
0Made a small batch last night. Enjoyed it this morning. Thinking of making the mix to give as gifts.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m so glad you liked it, Cheryl! I’m honored you’d give it as gifts. Please let me know how it goes!