I have got the ultimate cozy winter beverage for you guys: Peppermint Hot Cocoa with Homemade Coconut Whipped Cream. Perfect for all of your cozy nights at home all winter long, and what holiday dreams are made of. It couldn’t be better – it’s creamy, chocolatey and honestly just divine. It’s also dairy-free, but you’d never know it because, omg, the homemade coco whip is so creamy and so yummy. Trust me when I say you need to make a cup of this ASAP. You won’t regret it!

And while we’re on the subject – if you’re a mint-chocolate and year-round smoothie lover like me, then you have to try my Thin Mint Chip Smoothie from my cookbook, Rachael’s Good Eats.

HEALTHY, HOMEMADE, DREAMY HOT COCOA

When winter rolls around, my motto is: give me hot cocoa or give me nothing at all. There’s just something about hot chocolate on a cold, winter day that gets me in my cozy feels. And don’t even get me started on the chocolate peppermint combo… seriously, I could have a mugful every day. I’m lactose-intolerant and pride myself on making any recipe dairy-free and delicious, but was especially happy when I nailed this Peppermint Hot Cocoa and Homemade Coconut Whipped Cream. Bridger and I love this one, and I promise you will too. It’s the hot cocoa of all our dreams.

Going the homemade route for this recipe makes my dietitian heart so happy. I love sharing easy, healthy recipes that never lack in flavor, and simple swaps that can make all the difference. Take the coconut whipped cream for example. Coconut cream is a healthy fat that contains dietary fiber, antioxidants, magnesium and potassium. It’s even beneficial for hair and skin too! Through its antibacterial properties, as well as vital amino acids, all of which are beneficial to your skin, you now have the simplest swap for regular whipped cream that’ll help you feel, and look, good from the inside out.

Instinctively you may not associate hot chocolate with health, but let me tell you a little bit about cacao powder. Cacao is full of antioxidants, flavonoids and polyphenols, which have been found to promote calmness and decrease stress-levels. A cozy and calming hot cocoa? Sign me up! And if you don’t know by now how helpful peppermint is for digestion (bloat, be gone!), then, you’re welcome. A pinch of cinnamon only further adds to the nutritional benefits, helping to balance blood sugar after consumption. Add this all to the list of flavorful, fun food facts if you ever need to convince anyone to try this incredible drink.

ALL THE COZY FEELS

Sipping on this decadent peppermint hot cocoa while watching The Holiday (mine and Bridge’s favorite *holiday* movie) is the coziest thing in my life. It’s going to be a core memory on repeat for us for years to come, but really this insanely delish drink can and should be enjoyed at all times. Especially when the winter weather is here to stay. Between the velvety, delicately sweet and refreshingly minty hot cocoa, and the homemade coconut whipped cream that is just *chef’s kiss*, I might have to nickname this one “Death by Hot Chocolate”. I’d love to hear what you think when you make it!

INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED:

Peppermint Hot Cocoa:

Milk (I used almond)
Cacao powder
Dairy-free dark chocolate chips
Maple syrup
Peppermint extract
Cinnamon

Coconut Whipped Cream:

Heavy coconut cream (I like the brand, Let’s Do Organic), chilled in the fridge overnight
Stand mixer or electric mixer
Optional: Vanilla extract
Optional: Maple syrup

Toppings:

Crushed candy cane
Shaved dark chocolate

HOW TO MAKE PEPPERMINT HOT COCOA WITH HOMEMADE COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM

Coconut Whipped Cream

Let your canned coconut cream chill in the fridge overnight. Freeze a metal bowl or your stand mixer bowl for 30-60 minutes prior to making.

Use only the thick, hardened part of the coconut cream at the top, not the liquid (you can discard the liquid). Add the coconut cream to the chilled bowl, then whisk on high for 2-3 minutes. If using any flavoring or sweetener (like the vanilla extract and/or maple syrup), add in, then briefly whisk again. Set aside and make your hot cocoa.

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

In a small pot, heat your milk on medium until hot, but not boiling. Whisk in cacao powder until frothy. Add in chocolate chips, peppermint extract, maple syrup and cinnamon, then whisk again for 30-60 seconds. Serve and top with coconut whipped cream, crushed candy cane and shaved chocolate.

RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS & QUESTIONS

Instead of using almond milk, option to use your favorite dairy-free milk of choice, or regular milk of course if you’re not DF. If you’re feeling it, I have a handful of homemade DF milks you can try too (just be sure to make well-enough ahead of time), like my Cashew Milk, Almond Milk and more options here: 4 Ways To Make Nut Milk. Better yet, I’ve got a 2-Minute High-Protein Almond Milk you could whip up in a pinch. Store-bought works too! Just be mindful of the ingredients.

I get my heavy coconut cream at Whole Foods. The brand I like is Let’s Do Organic. I cannot confirm for sure if regular coconut cream will work instead because I haven’t tested it with standard coconut cream yet, but let me know in the comment section below if you try. For toppings, in addition to, or instead of the crushed candy cane and shaved hot chocolate, you could include marshmallows.

SHOP THIS RECIPE:

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CACAO AND COCOA?

Cocoa powder and cacao powder are very similar. The main difference is that cocoa is processed at a much higher temperature (and often packaged cocoa contains added sugar and dairy), and cacao is the raw, unprocessed version of cocoa. They both have a chocolatey taste, but cacao has a more earthy flavor, similar to a super-rich dark chocolate. Cocoa is generally sweeter and less bitter than cacao. I prefer to stick to cacao since it’s the raw version and provides more nutritional benefits.

WHY WON’T MY COCONUT CREAM WHIP?

It’s likely your coconut cream won’t whip because it wasn’t chilled sufficiently. It’s key that you chill your can of heavy coconut whip cream overnight. Doing so allows the coconut solid to harden and separate from the liquid. Too much of the liquid will result in a runny cream that won’t whip.

HERE’S MORE DRINKS AND SWEET TREATS YOU’LL LOVE:

Hormone-Balancing Chocolate Elixir

My Everyday Glow-To Smoothie

Snickerdoodle Chip Smoothie

Peanut Butter Blossoms

Tahini Chocolate Chunk Cookies (GF, DF, Refined-Sugar Free)

Click here to watch the reel I made of this recipe 🙂

Peppermint Hot Cocoa With Homemade Coconut Whipped Cream