Snowy Day Sugar-Free Hot Cocoa
It’s the perfect kind of snowy day here.
The kind where it’s the first day of Spring Break anyway, so there’s no worrying about school delays or slippery roads.
Yes, it’s Spring Break, baby! Here’s fair warning that you may hear a little less from me this coming week as I spend my time with the girls. (But don’t worry, I’ll share that sourdough recipe in our next post.)
Meanwhile, bikinis, sunshine and wild times shall ensue.
Or not.
Luckily, Pea Daddy was home when the storm hit, meaning I didn’t have to freeze my badonkadonk off during snowman construction.
The snowman keeled over exactly when he got his picture taken.
I never knew you, poor soul. Rest in peace.
At least it was snowy enough to sled for an hour and then, like beautiful magic, the thaw began, leading to me finding my children topless in the garage, putting their pajamas back on right when I got home from the gym.
I told you there’d be wild times.
Fortunately, I was there to make the perfect mug of hot cocoa for all.
Sugar-free Hot Cocoa
Serves 1
- 1 c. non-dairy or organic whole milk
- 1 1/2 T. cocoa powder
- pinch of salt
- stevia to taste
*I suggest starting by using two packets of stevia. If you don’t care for stevia, you can substitute maple syrup or agave to taste, but then it wouldn’t be sugar-free. If you do dairy, I suggest using whole milk from the best source possible.
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring frequently. I like to give the cocoa a quick run through the blender before serving to make it extra frothy.
This is the good stuff, friends.
The bright white sunshine streaming in on my girls’ rosy cheeks as they thaw their little fingers on hot mugs filled with rich, creamy deliciousness.
No other pressing need than to just keep their mugs and their hearts filled.
Yes, it’s the perfect kind of snowy day indeed.
i love hot chocolate and i am ridiculously jealous of your snow. it’s 80.
So you are sporting your bikini, right?
i’ll be psyched to look good in my tankini this year! and the pool isn’t open yet – it makes me mad that pools everywhere open on memorial day regardless of whether it’s NH or NC. boooooo.
Rock it, girl!
I seriously thought this was a joke, it is currently 90 degrees where I am! I’m very jealous!
It’s not April 1st yet! That’d be a pretty elaborate joke. I like it!
DITTO! 85 in NH today lol
Happy Spring Break Mama Pea!! It’s absolutely roasting here in southern Ontario today (and TOTALLY unusual for this time of year!) but I’m not complaining at all. I hope that the Peas and your snow buddies have a fabulous week together!
Thank you, sweet lady!
Yummy, you’re making me crave hot chocolate but it’s 75 here in Vermont with no snow on the ground at all, and it’s been this way all week! Crazy weather! Enjoy your spring break!
You could still make hot cocoa. I won’t tell.
Normally at this time of year I would still be in the mood for hot chocolate, but somehow it’s been in the 80s and sunny this week (in Ohio!). I’m sure we’ll have a freak snowstorm soon, though, so I’m bookmarking this recipe to comfort me when this balmy weather disappears. Great tip about putting it through the blender – can’t wait to try that out!
At least I don’t need a pedicure yet.
Enjoy your sandal weather!
Whoa, looking through the other comments, I see I’m not alone! Strange, strange weather. Funny you mention sandals… I am wearing them as I type, but my toenails are sadly lacking nail polish. They look so plain!
Oh, and I meant to say earlier, I was just thinking about your sourdough recipe as I was fixing my lunch today – so excited for it!!
Enjoy the time with your girls
I’ll pop in with that bread recipe on Sunday. I think that’ll be about Day 5 for most people’s starters, so that should be good timing. Have a great day!
So bizarre! It’s almost 80 degrees in Upstate NY, which is very strange for this time of the year. We’re usually still dealing with snowstorms and temps in the 30s and 40s.
Global warming….
I just have to say I’m sorry for the snow that you have received!
I live on the east coast of Canada, we get snow, A LOT of snow. Today it is 75 degrees, the snow is all gone, it kind of feels like a miracle…it’s usually about 40 degrees this time of year. I hope you have sunny skies for the rest of your spring break.
Thanks, Renee. Soak in that sunshine for me.
Perfect! This will be great for our spring snow day! This will be the first time I try almond milk to make hot chocolate. I love the blender tip!!
Hope you enjoy the cocoa and your day, Tara!
I love using very vanilla soy milk it has some sweetness and just a hint of vanilla!
Got some glass canning jars so I can start my sour dough starter
Excellent!
I wish it was still hot cocoa drinking weather here in Ohio! The temps have been in the 80s the past couple days! So hot! Such a shocker for Ohio too as we are still usually getting snow in March! Oh well, Ohio weather is seriously bipolar..
I’m jealous. And cold.
i have used a recipe similar to this – add a shake of cinnamon and a bit of vanilla, and I use liquid stevia. Pretty tasty indeed.
YAY for Spring Break! Any fun day trips planned?
You’re the only blog I read regularly also based in this coast (I’m in Portland too). Love seeing posts relevant to my weather where all my other blogs are posting about hot-weather meals..frosty beverages, ice cream, dinners on the grill. Not so much. At this rate, I’m thinking we’ll get summer when everyone else is just about done with Fall.
Hi, Whitney! Isn’t this craziness? I don’t mind the snow…it’s better than the rain, right?
100% better. Give me snow over the rain any day
I think you are the ONLY food blogger who is reporting snow and delivering hot cocoa recipes… think I can make this into a shake?
I’m wearing a sundress and flip-flops right now, I can’t help it!
Thanks for rubbing it in.
My timing might not be the best on this one…
It seems like the world is on fire and then i see snow? Hey, I’d enjoy hot chocolate any day, snow or shine!
So here’s an idea for those of you in the hot weather…lose 1/2 the milk and use 1/2 c. of ice cream instead. Skip the heating step and put it in the blender. I may do this anyway!
Thanks for the suggestion!
Good idea! Was 80 here today but supposed to be in the 50s tomorrow.
Yesterday the weather was fine… it was rainy but in the upper forties. This morning I woke up to snow… then after the sun came out and kept shining relentlessly melting everything. Some school districts had delays, but it wasn’t icy… maybe the superintendent there just wanted to sleep in. Lucky people!
It just starting snowing here as I sat down at the computer too! In Alberta Canada… and I have to admit I am happy it is! As I am following a sugar-free, Gluten-free, yeast-free, rice-free diet right now… and that hot cocoa looks good!! Off to make some right NOW!!!
When I was in Planet Organic this week I looked for a hot chocolate mix I could have… I should have thought of this! However, thanks to you I didn’t have to!! <3
Everyone’s been posting about snow today and there’s barely any here! Granted I’m not that bummed since it should be a lot warmer in Oregon right now. But it isn’t raining…so I won’t complain.
I can’t even believe it’s cold enough to snow there?! I have a cup of hot cocoa many evenings when I’m working at my desk…I make it the same way but use the microwave not the stovetop. If I really want to make it special, I’ll vita-mix it to super super dissolve the cocoa & make it frothy but most nights, I’m not feeling too fancy. Just want my chocolate fix
Something is messed up when you’ve got snow in Oregon and here in Toronto today it’s 23 (or 74F) degrees today!!! I’m wearing shorts!
Perhaps some hot chocolate over ice is just what I need.
Wow you got snow out there? It’s 80 degrees in CT today! I may make an iced hot chocolate tonight
(or would that just be chocolate milk?? hmmm)
I’m so glad it’s not snowing here today…but I’ll take hot cocoa in 60-degree weather too! Sounds like the perfect cup
Wow! I can’t believe that it’s still snowing. I thought for a second that this was an old blog. Sorry to say, but we just had our spring break last week at the beach and it was amazing. I have lives in Florida all my life so i can’t imagine for spring break to roll around and not be able to sport flip flops and tank tops. Is it normal to snow that late? Love the hot cocoa. It’s the only way we make ours, but I just bought the new almond breeze almond coconut milk and it is awesome! I might have to make an iced mocha chocolate instead with whip, of course:)
Well we’re not at snow today…. but we’re also not at 80 where we have been. It rained last night and so is chilly today….. I think I found my drink of choice today….
Where’s the whipped cream?
It would have melted in the photos, but guaranteed it was added later
Woah–sorry about your spring break snow! We are enjoying summer-like temps here in Ohio so cocoa is the farthest thing from my mind. I think I’ll go make some iced tea.
Enjoy your girls over the break!
Crazy weather makes for crazy good fun!
What great pictures! I haven’t seen snow in two years! Hope your girls enjoyed the hot cocoa
That’s crazy, since normally we get snow this time of year but this week has been setting record highs with most days in the ’70s and ’80s!
Please keep your snow! I don’t want it! Milwaukee has been really warm lately and I LOVE IT!
I’m in IL and it was 86 here yesterday. Seriously…people need to apologize to Al Gore and set this sh!t right. I can’t deal with these temps…and its only March. OY!
No doubt! I seriously think about Al Gore every time something like this happens. And every time I use the internet.
I’ve never experienced a snow day but now I really want one! Looks like a whole lot of fun…especially the topless-going-back-to-pyjamas-in-the-garage bit
Imagine my surprise as I pulled in the driveway! It was quite the show.
can i say how jealous i am of your snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Its sunny and 80 here in florida:( we skipped straight from “winter” to summer! But no matter the weather, i love to make a pot of cocoa and go up and work in my studio at night:)
I was wishing for one big snow before spring…but right now I’m drinking my Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride in short sleeves and capris. Aaah well, I’m pretty sure sugar-free cocoa is good for anytime!!
You still have some of that tea?! Lucky!
GEEZ!! I’m sitting on my porch in shorts!!
You and your porch. Someday I shall have one…and a swing!
Wow where on earth do you live?!?! It was 88 degrees in MICHIGAN today – crazy! I find myself so confused and now hot chocolate!
though it sounds delish!
We live in Oregon. 88 degrees sounds lovely.
But I thought you lived in Portland? I didn’t realize you get any snow at all….much less in March!
Is this like a record breaker for your city?
I don’t live directly in Portland, but nearby. We usually get snow maybe once a year, but this is about the latest I’ve ever seen it!
i feel ya, i was in the snow with you here in Milwaukie, OR! i’ve got my boots on & hands are still cold, so this recipe sounds perfect to me!
I think we are back to rain for this weekend…but it’ll still be hot chocolate weather! Cheers!
That is the sweetest picture of Gigi laughing at the fallen snowman! She looks like she is getting tall!
The snow seems crazy to me but you are much farther North than we are (Virginia) so makes sense! ENJOY your week with your girls! I’ve got a hot date with 20 yards of mulch this weekend.
I think it’s just a really short snowman.
High of 81 degrees here in the nation’s capital!
That’s the weather we should be having, but here in Indiana it has been in the 80′s all week. I think we’ve started to forget that it’s not summer yet.
Snow? Wow we had one day of the stuff down here in the South, so not much time for hot cocoa and snowmen (which is so sad).
Glad the girls and Pea Daddy had such a fun day.
Enjoy the spring break and I look forward to the sour dough recipe. I am going to start my starter this weekend.
This post is so strange to read right now. I live in New England and I’m so used to March sucking the life out of me, continuing to snow long after I’ve packed away my winter gear. This year, though, it barely snowed all winter and I’ve seen the temps hit 70 more times than I can count already. Times they are a changin’
No snow!! If it’s snowing there…it’s probably going to snow here in like 5 seconds and I can’t take it. The only thing that would allow me to be happy about it is if you came out here and made me some hot chocolate.
I just had to let you know that your posts are my daily “giggle”. I have come to really laugh out loud at your quips like “badonkadonk”. Funny.
I think because I have two girls also (which I have probably mentioned) I can serrrrsly relate.
Thanks again!
OH … and send some of that snow down here to CO … ski resorts are talking about closing early for the first time in over a decade that I can remember.
Thank you, Melissa! I’m happy that I can make you laugh.
Have so much fun during your Spring Break.
Topless in the garage- you’ve got some wild times on your hands over there. Ha ha!
yum! i do this pretty much every night with almond milk. can’t believe the snow!
just picked up stevia packets from Trader Joe’s, with some hesitation. i’ve only ever used liquid stevia which seems to be sooooooooo concentrated! are the packets that powerful as well? either way, just wishing we had snow instead of an insanely early summer ’round here. i’m a girl that needs her winter like most normal people need their summers.
enjoy the extra special days/time with your little ladies. may there be many shameless indulgences this week (and make sure you share the pictures!!) oh, and perhaps the sourdough PANCAKE recipe, too? pleeeeeease? xo
Nope, the packets are not that sweet! I’d say they are equivalent to sugar. Thank you for the well wishes on our “vacation.” It was 60 degrees here today!
Hope you have a great Spring Break! Love the picture of that beautiful rose with a pile of snow on top
That flower picture makes me so sad. I hope that you have a wonderful break with your girls.
What is up girl? You guys had SNOW? And we are having summer over here in the Midwest??????? Glad you got to enjoy some hot chocolate with your girls. We’re also on spring break and enjoying the sunshine over here on the East Coast with my parents for the week, hunting down plant food wherever we can.
Um it’s in the 80s here. You need to move.
Sounds heavenly, jealous of your snow since it’s just wet and rainy here!
That froth is gorgeous! I’m going to have to blend my hot cocoa from now on
Hey lady,
Absolutely love love love your ideas!
Thanks! Happy to share!
love it! hummmm!
I’m freezing in October — time to make some cocoa!