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5 from 4 votes
by Marly
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This vegan hot chocolate recipe delivers a rich, decadent, dark chocolate beverage. Serve it with your favorite toppings like whipped coconut cream and cinnamon sticks. Imagine you’re in a Paris cafe sipping dairy-free hot chocolate!
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I like my comfort food, and this homemade vegan hot chocolate is the crème de la crème of comfort. Hot chocolate actually has melted chocolate in it, whereas hot cocoa is made only with cocoa powder. This recipe combines both, making it easy to make and absolutely delicious too.
Table of Contents show
What Makes This Recipe Shine?
- Adding both cocoa powder and dark chocolate chips means this recipe is easy to make and rich and creamy
- Using minimal sugar lets the flavor of the chocolate be the star
- Adding favorite toppings like whipped cream or vegan marshmallows or even cinnamon sticks makes this beverage beautiful and delightful
Key Ingredients
You can find the full printable recipe, including ingredient quantities, below. But first, here are some explanations of ingredients and steps to help you make this recipe perfect every time.
Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this recipe, including substitution ideas:
- Cocoa powder — You can use either natural or Dutch-process cocoa powder.
- Sugar — Use granulated sugar, coconut sugar, maple syrup, agave nectar, or even your favorite zero-calorie sweetener.
- Plant-based milk — I recommend using creamy plant-based milk like soy milk or cashew milk. If you use one that’s vanilla-flavored, that’s a plus too.
- Chocolate Chips — We’ll add dairy-free chocolate chips to this drink to add even more chocolate flavor and silky smoothness. You could also chop up a semi-sweet chocolate bar.
- Garnishes — Add these optional toppings: vegan marshmallows, coconut whipped cream, steamed soy milk, a sprinkle of nutmeg, or a cinnamon stick for stirring.
How to Make Vegan Hot Chocolate
- Stir together cocoa powder and sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Pour in the milk and continue cooking and stirring until the liquid becomes warm.
- Stir in the chocolate chips until melted.
- Remove from heat and pour hot chocolate into 2 mugs.
- Add your favorite toppings and serve warm.
Marly’s Tips
Most of the cocoa powder will break down in the saucepan with the heat and stirring. However, if yours has lumps, simply use an immersion blender, or transfer the liquid to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. This adds even more foam to the finished cocoa drink, too.
Serving Suggestions
Serve vegan hot cocoa with any of the following:
- Dairy-free whipped topping
- Vegan Marshmallows
- Steamed Soy Milk — To top your cocoa with steamed plant-based milk, heat the milk until hot (but not boiling) and use a whisking tool to froth it. I talk more about steaming soy milk in my green tea hot chocolate recipe.
- Drizzles of Vegan chocolate syrup
- Vegan caramel sauce
- Cinnamon sticks.
- Vegan Biscotti Cookies add a nice touch to any hot beverage!
Reader Reviews
★★★★★
Kelly
I love a cup of hot cocoa with my bagel and this one is perfect. Smooth and creamy. Thanks!
Make It Healthy
For a lower-calorie and reduced-carb hot chocolate, replace the sugar with your favorite zero-calorie sweetener.
Based on using stevia, the nutrition estimate is 173 calories, 16g carbs, 9g protein, 9g fat, 3g fiber.
Storage Tips
Transfer any leftover drinking chocolate to a lidded, airtight container, like a mason jar. This will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to serve, simply stir it, pour it into a mug, and heat it in the microwave.
More Beverages
If you love this vegan hot cocoa mix, here are even more vegan beverages to try:
Pineapple Matcha
10 mins total
Pineapple Agua Fresca
65 mins total
Golden Milk Latte
30 mins total
I hope you like this recipe for hot chocolate as much as we do!
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Vegan Hot Cocoa
This vegan hot cocoa is so easy to make and is indulgent and delicious with every sip. Don't forget to add some steamed soy milk on top!
5 from 4 votes
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Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 2 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
Total Time: 7 minutes minutes
Servings: 2
Calories: 219kcal
Author: Marly McMillen
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (see note)
- 2 cups plant-based milk (See note)
- 2 tablespoons dairy-free chocolate chips
- Optional Toppings: vegan marshmallows, coconut whipped cream, steamed soy milk, a sprinkle of nutmeg, or a cinnamon stick for stirring.
Instructions
Add the cocoa powder and sugar to a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir in the milk and continue cooking until the liquid becomes warm.
Stir in the chocolate chips until melted. Remove from heat and pour it into 2 cups.
Add your favorite toppings and serve.
Recommended Equipment
Medium Saucepan
(The products above contain sponsored links to products we use and recommend)
Notes
I’ve tested many types of plant-based milk and find that the Kirkland Soy Milk creates the best froth. If you don’t care about froth, I recommend unsweetened vanilla-flavored almond milk or this creamy pecan milk.
The nutritional estimate is based on using unsweetened soy milk. It also does not include optional toppings.
For a lower calorie and reduced-carb version, replace sugar with zero-calorie sweetener. Based on using stevia, the nutrition estimate is 173 calories, 16g carbs, 9g protein, 9g fat, 3g fiber.
Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 107mg | Potassium: 463mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 503IU | Calcium: 353mg | Iron: 2mg
The nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator and should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a rating below then tag @namelymarly on Instagram and hashtag it #namelymarly. I love seeing your creations!
