It’s always one of my favourite times of the year when the weather cools and hot drinks and oven baked treats become so much more desirable! Beverages like coffee and tea are made year round but the one thing that only seems to be made in our home during the late fall/early winter months (and not very often!) is hot chocolate. A few weeks ago I decided that I wanted a break from using the not so exciting packets from the grocery store and I attempted a “gourmet” version of my own for the kids when they got home from school!
It’s always an adventure of sorts diving into the fridge and pantry to see what’s available for a last minute recipe, even one as simple as hot chocolate! I grabbed some semi-sweet chocolate chips, some baking cocoa and then, as I was taking the milk out of the fridge, a container of coconut milk coffee creamer that we’d recently purchased caught my eye and I had an inspired moment.
Coconut Hot Chocolate! I’ve always loved peppermint hot chocolate but have never branched out and tried something different. I love coconut and chocolate together (hello, Nanaimo Bars?!) so this just made sense! Plus I had coconut crystals (sugar) in my baking cupboard that I’d been wanting to use so it was clearly meant to be.
I will admit that this simple recipe is a little quirky. I used the coconut milk coffee creamer in addition to regular milk because it’s what was on hand and though it is light, the brand Silk, also carries a non-coffee creamer coconut milk which I’d likely use next time just because it comes in a larger carton and doesn’t have the added sugar. Perfect if you want a dairy free option!
I made the same recipe again for Asha and a friends play date the next day and received rave reviews from both girls. In all honesty it’s chocolate, so you can’t really go wrong there as far as kids are concerned right? Making this warm little beverage treat was really fun. The coconut flavour is quite subtle when you follow the directions exactly but it definitely adds that little something extra.
I hope you love it! Oh and don’t forget the suggested toppings!
COCONUT HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE
Ingredients:
1 cup coconut milk coffee creamer (OR regular coconut milk)
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
3 TBSP coconut crystals
3 TBSP baking cocoa
2.5 cups 2 % milk (OR coconut milk)
Add Coconut Milk and chocolate chips to a small sauce pan and whisk constantly on med-high until chocolate is melted into milk.
Switch heat to medium-low and add in sugar, cocoa and additional milk and whisk until blended. Avoid boiling. Remove from heat and serve!
If desired top with marshmallows or whipped cream and toasted coconut flakes!
Note: This post is not sponsored by SILK.com.
We use their products regularly in our home.
Thanks for reading! Stay cozy!
~Lynnelle
tiptoe meadow 