A cup of hot cocoa is one of my favorite indulgences during the cooler months. While I absolutely love this low calorie hot chocolate recipe, sometimes I appreciate the convenience of those packets of hot cocoa mix that just require you stir in boiling water (or hot coffee for a quick and easy hot cafe mocha).
Low calorie hot chocolate mix is great to have on hand those cold winter days when chocolate cravings strike. There's nothing wrong with the hot chocolate mixes found on the shelves of your local grocery store. But you can also easily make your own sugar-free hot chocolate mix in minutes for less money.
That's where this this simple recipe for your own homemade version of hot cocoa mix comes in. This homemade dark hot chocolate mix is equivalent to an entire box of the dark hot cocoa packets. The secret to its "deep, dark" color and flavor is Dutch-processed cocoa, such as Hershey's brand Special Dark Cocoa. But any unsweetened cocoa powder will do.
A cup of this rich and creamy hot cocoa only has about 55 calories. It's so rich and creamy you won't even miss the added sugar. It is also perfect for holiday gifting to those who appreciate warm sugar-free drinks.
Sugar-Free Hot Cocoa with Light Whipped Cream
How Many Calories and WW Points in this Hot Chocolate Dry Mix Recipe?
According to my calculations, each serving has 55 calories.
To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!
How to Make Homemade Sugar Free Hot Cocoa Mix
Step 1: Gather your dry ingredients:
- ⅔ cup non-fat dry milk
- ⅓ cup powdered non-dairy creamer
- ⅓ cup cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process)
- ½ cup granulated no-calorie sweetener (or 12 packets) Pretty much any zero-calorie sweetener will work for this recipe and easily dissolve in hot water. You can use Splenda, Swerve, Truvia (affiliate link), Monkfruit, or any other sweetener designed to substitute for granular sugar.
Whisking homemade sugar-free hot cocoa mix
Step 2: In a small airtight container with a lid (such as a mason jar), combine all ingredients and shake will. Or place in a bowl and whisk until blended and transfer to an airtight container.
Step 3: To make one serving of hot chocolate, measure 3 tablespoons of the hot cocoa mix into a mug. Add 6 ounces of boiling or very hot water and whisk or stir until well combined.
Recipe Notes
Use your preferred sweetener. The best thing about this recipe is that you can use what you like best. For best results be sure to use a sweetener that will dissolve easily when mixed with a hot liquid. The recipe called for Splenda but I used Truvia (affiliate link). Powdered swerve or your favorite monk fruit sweetener should also work well.
If your sweetener measures 1:1 to sugar, use ½ cup of sweetener. If your sweetener measures 2:1 to sugar (twice as sweet as sugar), use ¼ cup of sweetener. You can also adjust the amount of sweetener (to taste) if you prefer your hot chocolate more or less sweet.
Hot Cocoa Recipe Additions
Hot cocoa can be amended all kinds of ways to add an extra punch of flavor. Options to consider include:
- Peppermint hot chocolate: 3 to 4 drops mint extract
- Almond Joy hot chocolate: 2 to 3 drops each of coconut and almond extract
- Mocha hot chocolate: 1 teaspoon instant coffee or espresso powder
- Caramel hot chocolate: 3 to 4 drops of caramel extract
- Mexican hot chocolate: a pinch or two each of cinnamon and cayenne
- Spiked hot chocolate: a splash of Kahlua, bourbon, whiskey, amaretto or Irish cream
Hot Cocoa Topping Suggestions
Don't forget your toppings. The best cup of hot cocoa always has a topping to make it extra special. Some favorites include:
- Light whipped cream or cool whip
- Miniature marshmallows
- A sprinkle of cinnamon
- Chocolate syrup or caramel syrup drizzle
How to Store Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Stored in an air tight container, the mix will stay fresh at room temperature for several months. I tend to use a glass jar such as a mason jar but plastic Tupperware will also work.
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Sugar Free Dark Hot Chocolate Mix
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup cup nonfat dry milk powder
- ⅓ cup powdered non-dairy creamer
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder (preferably Dutch-process)
- ½ cup granulated no-calorie sweetener (or 12 packets) (I used ¼ cup Truvia)
Instructions
- In a small container with a lid, combine all ingredients and shake will.
- To make one serving of hot chocolate, measure 3 tablespoons of the hot cocoa mix into a mug. Add 6 ounces of hot water (very hot) or boiling and whisk or stir until well combined.
Recipe Notes
- Peppermint hot chocolate: 3 to 4 drops mint extract
- Almond Joy hot chocolate: 2 to 3 drops each of coconut and almond extract
- Mocha hot chocolate: 1 teaspoon instant coffee or espresso powder
- Caramel hot chocolate: 3 to 4 drops of caramel extract
- Mexican hot chocolate: a pinch or two each of cinnamon and cayenne
- Spiked hot chocolate: a splash of Kahlua, bourbon, whiskey, amaretto or Irish cream
Recipe source: Eat More of What You Love (affiliate link) by Marlene Koch
*Points® calculated by WW. *PointsPlus® and SmartPoints® calculated by Simple Nourished Living; Not endorsed by Weight Watchers International, Inc. All recipe ingredients except optional items included in determining nutritional estimates. SmartPoints® values calculated WITHOUT each plan's ZeroPoint Foods (Green plan, Blue plan, Purple plan) using the WW Recipe Builder.
Does Swiss Miss make a sugar-free hot chocolate?
Swiss Miss makes no sugar added hot cocoa in 8-packet boxes and 22-serving canisters. Each 3-tablespoon serving has 70 calories. Here's the ingredient list:
- Modified Whey
- Nonfat Milk
- Cocoa (Processed With Alkali)
- Maltodextrin
- Hydrogenated Coconut Oil
- Salt
- Dipotassium Phosphate
- Acesulfame Potassium
- Mono- And Diglycerides
- Sucralose
- Natural Flavor
More Weight Watchers Friendly Hot Drinks with fewer calories for cold days you might like:
- Weight Watchers Low Calorie Hot Chocolate Recipe - an easy recipe for a delicious mug of hot cocoa made with hot milk (stovetop or microwave). A great option when you are watching your sugar intake.
- Skinny Spiced CrockPot Mocha
- Skinny Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Latte
- Slow Cooker Hot Spiced Cider
Martha is the founder and main content writer for Simple-Nourished-Living.
A longtime lifetime WW at goal, she is committed to balancing her love of food and desire to stay slim while savoring life and helping others do the same.
She is the author of the Smart Start 28-Day Weight Loss Challenge.
A huge fan of the slow cooker and confessed cookbook addict, when she's not experimenting in the kitchen, you're likely to find Martha on her yoga mat.
This post contains affiliate links to products I like. When you buy something through one of my Amazon links or other (affiliate links), I receive a small commission that helps support this site. Thank you for your purchase!
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diane shrout
Can this recipe be used to put over crushed ice and drink as a smoothie?
Martha McKinnon
I haven't tried it. If you do, I would love to know how it turns out for you. ~Martha