Creamy Keto Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate Recipe

Are you on a low carb diet? Well, have no fear, we have a Keto hot chocolate recipe for all you chocolate lovers out there!  Add homemade whipped cream and you have a delicious treat.

Who doesn’t love hot chocolate especially on a cold winter day? From the time we are little kids, we have come to love the creamy warm drink with mini marshmallows that are floating on the top, or with whipped cream that gets over our nose when we try to drink it. But now as adults some of us can’t indulge in that high carb drink anymore.  

What makes this hot chocolate so good is that it’s rich and creamy, yet also low carb and sugar free! For chocolate lovers who need to watch their carbs, this is an easy drink to make and a rewarding one, allowing you to stick to a low carb diet and still have rich chocolate! 

We tried several ways and had all of the cups of it lined up in a row and did a taste test of all of them to make sure we made the best one, to make it and I think that you will like the one we picked as much as we do.

Is this Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate Keto-Friendly?

Hot chocolate on the Keto diet?  Are you serious? Most hot chocolate comes with milk, sugar, and chocolate, and is not keto-friendly at all. 

Surprise, Surprise…..This hot chocolate can definitely fit into your Keto diet plan. It’s a real treat and you’ll be drinking it all winter long!

How Many Carbs are there in Sugar Free Hot Chocolate?

There are about 30 carbs in a small cup of regular hot chocolate with sugar, which is totally not an acceptable drink for anyone on a low carb or Keto diet. I love hot chocolate in the winter when it’s so cold outside, so its so nice to hear that there is another yummy choice. It just hits the spot and makes you feel warm and cozy. 

Our recipe for hot chocolate is only 2.4 net carbs per serving, so you could indulge every day if you want to, and still not feel bad.

What is the Difference between Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa?

It can be confusing but hot chocolate and hot cocoa are pretty much the same, but still a little different.  The base is the same, they are both made from chocolate. The chocolate is what gives your drink a creamy rich texture.

Hot cocoa is usually made from cocoa powder along with sugar and milk.

Hot chocolate is made from melted chocolate and then combined with milk or cream. So hot chocolate tends to be less sweet than hot cocoa. 

But over the years it seems to me that depending on where you are from you may call it one name or the other but not really know the difference.

What Ingredients are in Keto Hot Chocolate?

Almond Milk – This is a low carb substitute for milk and a lot of people that can’t have dairy use almond milk on cereal, in their coffee, in baking…etc

Heavy Cream – You don’t have to use a lot of heavy cream to achieve a yummy, creamier texture to your hot chocolate. FYI, heavy cream is much lower in carbs than milk, which has 11 carbs per cup, so it’s good to learn to use a bit of heavy cream in things.

Powdered Swerve – A good sugar substitute which has zero carbs.

Vanilla – In my opinion, vanilla is one of the best flavorings in most baked goods. A little goes a long way, and without it the foods would be very bland.

Cacao or Cocoa – Hot chocolate can be made with either one of these ingredients, they are similar. Cacao is richer in flavor. Cocoa is a little lighter in flavor.

What is the Best Chocolate to Use for Low Carb Hot Cocoa?

You can use any unsweetened chocolate of your choice to make hot chocolate. Either powdered cocoa, or melted chocolate squares, or you may know it as bakers chocolate. Any brand of your choice will work, just as long as it is unsweetened.

Bakers chocolate is good. Lily’s chocolate is also a great no sugar brand.

What is the Best Sweetener for this Recipe?

Since we can’t use sugar in our hot chocolate, there are a few sugar substitutes that are good to use and have zero net carbs. 

There is Swerve powder and Swerve granular, Monk fruit is a good one too and also liquid Stevia works. You could use whichever sweetener of your choice, according to flavor and texture. 

We used powdered Swerve sweetener because by using a powdered form it dissolves easier than granular does.  Plus Swerve is one of the sweeteners that converts one for one, so for instance, if your recipe calls for a cup of sugar it would also be a cup of Swerve.  

Making Hot Chocolate with Heavy Cream

You should definitely use heavy cream to make your hot chocolate if you are concerned about carbs. First of all heavy cream has a lot fewer carbs than milk does, but it also adds a richer flavor to your sugar-free hot chocolate. 

Another benefit is that heavy cream will make your hot chocolate creamier than milk will, improving the texture.

Plus if you are going to make yourself some whipped cream for your hot chocolate, then you will need some heavy cream anyway, so you already have that on hand.

Are there Sugar-Free Marshmallows?

Marshmallows are so good in hot chocolate. Ever since I was a little kid I loved the mini marshmallows in my hot chocolate floating to the top. I would always eat them first, letting my hot chocolate cool off enough to drink. But of course, marshmallows are high in carbs….

When I think of marshmallows I think of sugar, sugar, sugar, so I was surprised to learn that you can actually make sugar-free marshmallows.

The reason that most people make sugar-free marshmallows are to avoid corn syrup, avoid sugar,  avoid blue food coloring (there is blue food coloring in store bought ones to make the white look brighter…..really…) 

Don’t Forget the Whipped Cream!

Homemade Keto whipped cream is wonderful and is very low in carbs. I can’t drink hot chocolate without whipped cream, really it’s impossible. It just makes the chocolate so delicious and creamy. Hot chocolate is just not hot chocolate without a dollop of whipped cream in it.   

We’re making a recipe on our site right now about how to make homemade whipped cream without added sugar…try it and you will see what I’m talking about!

How to Make Keto Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate

Place all ingredients: almond milk, heavy cream, powdered swerve, vanilla, and cocoa powder into a saucepan.

Over medium heat, whisk until all ingredients are blended and bring to just the point of steaming, not boiling. 

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Remove from heat and pour into a cup, then add your low carb whipped cream or marshmallows if you have any.

Serve. That’s how easy it is!!

How to Make Hot Chocolate Creamy

When you want to have a nice cup of hot chocolate, there is nothing worse than one that is watered-down and weak in chocolate flavor. The best hot chocolate is thick and  creamy with a good chocolate flavor. 

If you find your sugar-free hot chocolate is too thin, there are a few options to make it thicker and as a result, creamier. 

You can use one of the following thickeners:

• Xanthan gum – ¼ tsp
• Arrowroot – ¼ tsp
• Chia Seeds – 1 Tbsp
• Konjac root powder – ⅛ tsp

A little goes a long way in all of these so use them sparingly.

If you are like me was when I first started eating low carb foods, I had never heard of any of these types of ingredients. But I have since found so many new things to achieve tasty foods that I can now eat and enjoy. You can too.

Other Tips for Making Keto Hot Chocolate 

• When making your hot chocolate just bring it to the steaming point, not the boiling point. If it boils it can have a burnt flavor and stick to the pan. 
• If you want a dairy-free option, you can substitute the heavy cream with thick coconut milk from a can. Even though it has a slight coconut flavor it works well as a substitute. 
• For a creamier drink use xanthan gum, arrowroot, chia seeds, or konjac powder

Variations and Toppings for Keto Hot Chocolate

Once you have your cup of sugar-free hot chocolate, you can add some delicious toppings to enhance your drink. To start off with, whipped cream, that’s the best! Of course, low carb homemade whipped cream without sugar.

Also, a nice touch is to add some chocolate shavings on top. You can make them by taking a block of dark, no-sugar chocolate and shaving some off with a vegetable peeler or a grater.

You could get some peppermint candies, without sugar, and crumble them on top of your hot chocolate or letting a whole sugar-free peppermint candy dissolve inside your drink.

If you are a coffee lover you could always add some coffee to your hot chocolate. The combo is yummy.

What to Serve with Hot Chocolate?

When I  think of a cup of hot chocolate I always think of a yummy treat to go with it, and there are so many to choose from. For instance…

Cookies or pie, or some kind of bars, or a loaf.  We have many delicious recipes on our website that would be a perfect compliment.

At this time of the year, apple crisp, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, brownies, Raspberry thumbprint cookies, magic cookie bars, just to name a few, are such a good companion for hot chocolate.

Why not try matching it with a Keto Pumpkin Bread too!

Other Diets this recipe is good for

Vegetarian – Since it’s ok for a vegetarian to eat dairy, enjoy this yummy hot drink! 

Gluten-free – My friend who has to eat gluten-free can enjoy this hot chocolate which is also gluten-free.  You can too, especially now since the cold weather is quickly approaching.  

Nut-free – No nuts at all in hot chocolate so make yourself a cup and enjoy.

Can I Make Hot Chocolate Ahead of Time?

Whereas hot chocolate is best when served right away, it’s still ok to reheat it if you don’t drink it all or you just make too much. Just make sure that you don’t bring it to a boil. 

Just pour it into a saucepan on the stove for just 2 minutes on medium until its steaming. You could also heat it in a microwave but you have to monitor it slowly so that it doesn’t boil. 

How to Store Low Carb Hot Chocolate

If you make too much hot chocolate and have some leftover, then no worries, don’t waste it, just pour it into an airtight plastic container or glass jar and put it in the refrigerator.  It will last for 2 or 3 days.

It takes just a minute to heat it up and it’s as good as the day you made it.

Other Low Carb Dessert Recipes:

If you’re in the mood for some other Keto-friendly Desserts, check out our:

• Keto Pumpkin Pie
• Low Carb Apple Pie
• Low Carb Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Best Keto Brownies
• Apple Crisp
• Raspberry Jam Thumbprint Cookies
• Keto Magic Cookie Bars

All of them are Keto-friendly and low carb, and will have your friends raving!

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