Hot Cocoa Dip is an easy, no bake treat that is made with whipped topping, real hot cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Serve with your favorite dippers such as graham crackers, strawberries or pretzels for an easy and quick dessert dip that is perfect for gatherings and parties.
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Reasons to love this Hot Cocoa Dip Recipe:
- Creamy, fluffy and tastes just like hot chocolate
- Can be served as an appetizer or dessert
- Kid friendly
- Made without marshmallow fluff
- Can be enjoyed all year round- especially when it’s too hot outside for a hot mug of hot cocoa
- Comes together in less than 10 minutes
- Can be made entirely dairy free- just follow the substitutions in the recipe card below
- Perfect for holidays and gatherings
Ingredients in Hot Cocoa Dip:
Whipped Topping- aka Cool Whip. Feel free to swap out a dairy free whipped topping if need be. My favorites are TruWhip Vegan (which has no coconut taste because it doesn’t contain any coconut!) or So Delicious CocoWhip (which has a slight coconut taste but isn’t over powering).
Hot Cocoa Mix- use your favorite brand and kind, dairy free if needed. Some of my favorite dairy free mixes are Sillycow, Castle Kitchen, and Swiss Miss Non-Dairy.
Vanilla Extract- enhances the chocolate flavor.
How to make Hot Chocolate Dip:
Add the thawed whipped topping to a large bowl. Add the hot cocoa powder and vanilla extract to the bowl and fold together until smooth and combined.
For best results, refrigerate for at least an hour or up to 24 hours. In a pinch, you can serve immediately, but the flavors marinate the longer it sits.
Serve with your favorite dippers such as graham crackers, fresh strawberries, vanilla wafers, animal crackers, pretzels, teddy grahams, etc.
What to serve with Hot Cocoa Dip:
I like to top this dip with mini marshmallows and mini chocolate chips, but you can also add crushed candy canes to the top (as long as those who will be eating it like peppermint).
I like to serve this dip with graham crackers, fresh strawberries, vanilla wafers, Oreo’s, animal crackers, teddy grahams, etc. Even some chocolate chip cookies would taste delicious dipped in this hot cocoa dip!
How to store:
Once assembled, place in the refrigerator until ready to serve. I like to make this a few hours beforehand so the flavors can marinate, but in a pinch, you can serve this dip right away.
How to store leftovers:
Store leftover dip in an airtight container or in a bowl covered and sealed with plastic wrap for up to 3 days.
The texture of this dip changes when frozen and thawed, so I would not recommend freezing.
Variations:
Use different flavored hot cocoa mix! You could use mint, caramel, dark chocolate, etc.
Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract for a peppermint twist!
Add some cinnamon for a Mexican hot chocolate twist!
Want more of a cheesecake flavor? Add in cream cheese to the recipe.
For mocha flavor, add a teaspoon of espresso powder.
Add in mini chocolate chips or mini m&m’s to the dip for a chocolate twist and crunch factor.
Tips and Tricks for the best Hot Cocoa Dip Recipe:
Fold the ingredients together: Make sure to fold the ingredients together with a spatula. Do not use a hand mixer or stand mixer as it will deflate the cool whip and it will not be as fluffy.
Best way to thaw: The best way to thaw frozen whipped topping is to take it out of the freezer and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Frequently Asked Questions:
That’s up to you! Use your favorite brand and mix. If you need dairy free, then use your favorite brand. My favorite dairy free hot chocolate mixes are Sillycow (their Marshmallow swirl flavor is my favorite! It tastes like your drinking from the top of your hot chocolate with all the melted marshmallows in every sip!), Swiss Miss Non-Dairy, Castle Kitchen and Starbuck’s Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix which is dairy free!
If you’d like, you can make your own whipped cream from regular or dairy free heavy whipping cream. Make sure to sweeten it as well. If you use whipped cream instead of whipped topping, I would enjoy within a day of making the dip as fresh whipped cream does not last as long.
Craving other delicious recipes? Take a look!
- No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
- Oreo Cheesecake Dip
- Hot Cocoa Cookies
- Strawberry Cheesecake Truffles
- Hot Cocoa Dip
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Hot Cocoa Dip
Hot Cocoa Dip is an easy, no bake treat that is made with whipped topping, real hot cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Serve with your favorite dippers such as graham crackers, strawberries or pretzels for an easy and quick dessert dip that is perfect for gatherings and parties.
Ingredients
- 8 oz whipped topping, thawed, dairy free if needed
- 1/4 cup dry hot cocoa mix, dairy free if needed
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the thawed whipped topping to a large bowl. Add the hot cocoa powder and vanilla extract to the bowl and fold together until smooth and combined.
- For best results, refrigerate for at least an hour or up to 24 hours. In a pinch, you can serve immediately, but the flavors marinate the longer it sits.
- Serve with your favorite dippers such as graham crackers, fresh strawberries, vanilla wafers, animal crackers, pretzels, teddy grahams, etc.
