food

Less Sugar Added Peppermint Hot Chocolate

This post contains affiliate links. We may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.

This post is part of the SPLENDA® 365 SWEET SWAPS ™ blogger program by McNeil Nutritionals, LLC. and The Motherhood, who sent me products and compensated me for my time. Opinions, experiences and photos shared here are my own, and I hope you enjoy them.

less sugar added peppermint hot chocolate

I’ve learned that it’s the little things in life that add up.

Some of them good, like the hugs and kisses from my kids and some of them not as good… like a sweet treat here and a sweet treat there. That’s why I’m making a big effort to eat better, exercise and just be all around healthier. That includes less sugar and calories in my diet… but that doesn’t mean I’m not still enjoying an occasional treat. I’ve just gotten smarter when I have a treat and I’ve been swapping SPLENDA® for sugar.

beverages with splenda

We have a really big party every Christmas Eve and as a tradition I serve hot chocolate.

This year I’m making it a bit different than usual. It will be waiting for my guests in the slow cooker… and it will be less sugar added, vegan and have a touch of peppermint! After a few practices I finally got it perfectly right! SPLENDA® comes in many different varieties like:

  • SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Packets
  • SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener Granulated
  • SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Flavors for Coffee, French Vanilla
  • SPLENDA® Sugar Blend; SPLENDA® Brown Sugar Blend

I tried and loved them all and I found that the SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener Granulated was perfect for this recipe! You can see all the SPLENDA® products here.

splenda hot chocolate

Here is my super easy recipe for Peppermint Hot Chocolate.

Ingredient:

  • 8 cups of coconut milk {almond milk works well too along with 1-2% dairy milk}
  • 1 1/4 cup of cocoa
  • 1 cup SPLENDA® Granulated or 24 of the SPLENDA® packets
  • 2 teaspoons of real vanilla
  • 8 drops of peppermint extract {Or to taste. Start with a couple drops and go from there}.
  • 1 can of coconut milk {full fat, refrigerated and then whipped for topping} (optional)
  • Sprinkle of crushed candy cane (optional)

Directions:

  1. Add coconut milk, cocoa, SPLENDA®, vanilla and peppermint extracts into a slow cooker on medium heat for 20 minutes and then reduce to low. Can be served 10 minutes after being put on low. Be careful it will be hot.
  2. Top with coconut whipped topping and crushed peppermints if desired. 

peppermint hot chocolate

Making these little changes is easy with SPLENDA®!

What is your favorite hot drink?

Heather Reese
the authorHeather Reese
Heather Delaney Reese is the storyteller and photographer behind the lifestyle and family travel blog, It's a Lovely Life®! For the past decade, she has vacationed over 150 days a year with her family. She is a vegan, and loves being by the water, spending time with her children, husband, 2 Shih Tzus and Cat.

56 Comments

Comments are closed.