Quick Homemade Vegan Hot Chocolate
There’s nothing better than a warm cup of homemade vegan hot chocolate on a cold day, right? It’s super simple to make and perfect for when you’re in a rush but still want something cozy and delicious. All you need are a few basic ingredients like cocoa powder, almond milk, and a little sweetener.
This vegan hot chocolate recipe is smooth, chocolatey, and completely vegan. The best part is, no fancy stuff is required. Once you try it, you’ll want it every time you need a sweet treat to brighten your day!
Great Reasons You Will Want to Make This Homemade Vegan Hot Chocolate
This homemade vegan hot chocolate is a good choice for breakfast because it’s warm, comforting, and gives you a little chocolatey boost to start your day. Plus, with the plant-based milk, it gives you a dose of healthy fats and protein to keep you feeling satisfied until your next meal.
- Pure chocolate bliss: First off, the rich chocolate flavor is absolutely unbeatable. It’s smooth, velvety, and totally satisfying—just like a warm hug in a cup!
- Easy cocoa fix: The best part? It’s a super simple recipe! No complicated steps or ingredients—just mix and heat a few basic things, and you’re good to go.
- Ready in minutes : All it takes is about 7 minutes of stirring—seriously, you’ll be sipping your warm drink in no time!
- Prep ahead: If you’re in a rush, you can even prep the dry ingredients ahead of time and just add the non-dairy milk when you’re ready to enjoy your perfect cozy drink.
- Budget friendly: It’s made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. You can still have a healthy hot chocolate recipe that feels like a treat without breaking the bank.
- Customizable: Feel free to experiment with other dairy-free milks like soy or oat milk for extra creaminess, or even add a dash of cinnamon to give it a fun twist.
- Serving suggestions: Top it with some dairy-free whipped cream or a sprinkle of cocoa powder for an extra indulgence. To make your breakfast even more special, serve it with biscuits, sausage, or muffins.
Here’s Your Grocery List For Homemade Vegan Hot Chocolate
All you need are 5 ingredients to make this velvety vegan hot chocolate. You can even add some marshmallow fluff for that extra touch of sweetness and fun.
- Almond milk: Look for unsweetened almond milk to keep your hot chocolate not too sweet. For the best hot chocolate experience, try a barista-style almond milk with minimal additives. Shake the carton well before using.
- Cocoa powder: For a rich flavor, always choose unsweetened cocoa powder with a deep, dark color. If you want a smoother taste, opt for Dutch-process cocoa. Sift the cocoa powder before adding it to the mix to avoid any lumps.
- Chocolate chips: To make a delicious hot chocolate, choose high-quality vegan chocolate chips that are made with real cocoa butter. Opt for semisweet chocolate chips if you like a rich, deep chocolate flavor or milk chocolate if you like it sweeter.
- Granulated sugar: Any regular granulated sugar will do for this recipe. But if possible, use organic granulated sugar because it’s less processed than regular sugar.
- Vanilla extract: Always go for pure vanilla extract to avoid synthetic additives.
- Marshmallows: For topping, use vegan marshmallows if you like. Try different flavors of marshmallows, like vanilla or toasted coconut, for a fun twist on your classic hot chocolate.
Note: You can find the full recipe with ingredients and measurements in the recipe card located at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Homemade Vegan Hot Chocolate
Step 1: Heat And Mix Ingredients Are Doing
In a medium saucepan, pour in your almond milk. Warm the milk gently over low heat. Once warmed through, add the cocoa powder, vegan chocolate chips, and granulated sugar. As it all heats up, whisk away until the cocoa powder is fully dissolved and everything starts blending into a creamy chocolate base.
Pro Tip: Don’t worry if it looks a bit grainy at first just keep whisking, and it’ll smooth out beautifully.
Step 2: Melt The Chocolate
Now, turn up the heat to medium and let that chocolatey magic happen! Whisk frequently as the chocolate chips melt into the mixture. You’ll see it transform into a rich, chocolatey goodness that’s just waiting to be poured into a mug.
Pro tip: This step only takes a few minutes, so stay close to avoid burning.
Step 3: Add Vanilla And Salt
Once the hot chocolate is smooth, take it off the heat. Now, stir in a splash of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to boost the flavor. Trust me, that little pinch of salt makes all the difference. It enhances the chocolate flavor and balances the sweetness.
Step 4: Serve
It’s time to enjoy your masterpiece! Pour the hot chocolate into mugs, and if you’re feeling fancy, top it off with a handful of vegan marshmallows. Watch them melt into gooey perfection—like cloud-like blankets floating into your hot, steamy chocolate.
Tips and Variations
- Vanilla extract is sensitive to heat, so make sure to cool the hot chocolate slightly for 2 minutes after removing it from heat. Then, you can stir in the vanilla extract to preserve its aroma.
- If you’re not a fan of almond milk, try other dairy-free milk like soy milk, oat milk, or cashew milk.
- Replace 1/2 cup of almond milk with canned coconut milk for a more decadent, creamy texture.
- Adjust the sugar to your liking; add more or less as needed.
- Add cinnamon and nutmeg for a warm, cozy layer of flavor or peppermint to make peppermint hot chocolate.
- Add a spicy kick with cayenne pepper to make vegan Mexican hot chocolate.
- Replace granulated sugar with pure maple syrup for a sweeter alternative or organic cane sugar for a slightly healthier choice. For a sugar-free hot chocolate recipe version, use stevia or monk fruit sweetener.
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Frequently Asked Questions
This vegan hot chocolate should stay fresh for about 2 days in the fridge when stored in a sealed container. Just remember to give it a good shake or stir before reheating, as some separation might occur. Reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave in 30-second intervals.
Absolutely! You can chop up a vegan chocolate bar and throw it into the mix for a more intense chocolate flavor. Just make sure it’s dairy-free.
Serving Ideas
Serve with 7 Up Biscuits, country-style turkey breakfast sausage, or pumpkin muffins for a delightful breakfast meal.
Enhance the flavor of your hot chocolate with banana oatmeal or cottage cheese egg bites.
To complement your hot chocolate, try some other vegan-friendly options like turmeric coffee or strawberry almond milk.
To make the hot chocolate extra special, top with cinnamon, whipped cream, or grated vegan chocolate.
If you’re serving a crowd, keep the hot chocolate warm for a while in a slow cooker or keep it warm longer in a thermal carafe.
Use an insulated travel mug to keep your hot chocolate warm if you’re on the go.
Homemade Vegan Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 3 cups almond milk or other non-dairy milk, unsweetened
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ cup vegan chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar or sweetener of choice
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Vegan marshmallows optional, for topping
Instructions
Heat and Mix Ingredients
- In a medium saucepan, combine the almond milk, cocoa powder, vegan chocolate chips, and granulated sugar. Whisk until the cocoa powder dissolves.3 cups almond milk, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, ½ cup vegan chocolate chips, 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Melt the Chocolate
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, whisking frequently until the chocolate chips are fully melted and the hot chocolate is smooth.
Add Flavor
- Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt.½ teaspoon vanilla extract, Pinch of salt
Serve
- Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and top with vegan marshmallows, if desired.Vegan marshmallows
Notes
- Vanilla extract is sensitive to heat, so make sure to cool the hot chocolate slightly for 2 minutes after removing it from heat. Then, you can stir in the vanilla extract to preserve its aroma.
- If you’re not a fan of almond milk, try other dairy-free milk like soy milk, oat milk, or cashew milk.
- Replace 1/2 cup of almond milk with canned coconut milk for a more decadent, creamy texture.
- Adjust the sugar to your liking; add more or less as needed.
- Add cinnamon and nutmeg for a warm, cozy layer of flavor or peppermint to make peppermint hot chocolate.
- Add a spicy kick with cayenne pepper to make vegan Mexican hot chocolate.
