Cozy up to a cup of the best vegan hot chocolate…it’s rich, chocolatey, and perfect for a winter time treat! You won’t miss the dairy with this easy, decadent, comforting recipe. This is sure to become a favorite way to warm up!
When there’s a chill in the air, you might be craving a nice warm beverage.
Tea is always a good choice, but on a snowy winter day, a cup of cocoa is just the thing to warm you up.
I LOVE hot cocoa. I don’t drink coffee, and hot cocoa was a staple item for me in the winter time. I would so look forward to hot chocolate from the coffee shop, but once I stopped eating dairy, that was no longer a part of my winter routine.
So I had to figure out how to make dairy free hot cocoa at home. Thankfully, it’s surprisingly easy! Using just sugar, cocoa powder, and non-dairy milk results in a delicious cup of vegan hot chocolate. And if you’re feeling extra festive, go ahead and add some vegan marshmallows or a candy cane thrown in just for fun.
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Ingredient Notes
- Non-Dairy Milk – You can make hot chocolate with your choice of non-dairy milk. I recommend going with an unsweetened dairy free milk that has a relatively neutral taste. Through the years I have made hot chocolate with almond milk, soy milk, and non unsweetened coconut milk. You could also use milks made from oats, hemp, or rice – really, any plant-based milk should work well.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – I like Hershey’s Unsweetened Cocoa Powder, but you can use any brand that works for your dietary needs.
- Sugar – I used organic cane sugar, but feel free to use alternative sugars like date sugar or turbinado sugar. If you prefer a liquid sweetener, like agave syrup or maple syrup, that should also be just fine.
- Marshmallows – Many marshmallows contain gelatin, which is an animal product, so they aren’t vegan. Dandies brand marshmallows are vegan, and there are a few other brands that are vegan. Read more about it here.
Step by Step Instructions
- Simply heat non-dairy milk in a pan on the stove until it’s steaming.
- Add the cocoa powder and sugar, and stir well until it’s smooth and combined.
- Pour into cups, and top with vegan marshmallows or coconut whipped cream if desired.
Microwave Instructions
You can make a cup of this hot chocolate in the microwave. Simply microwave a cup of non-dairy milk, then stir in a heaping tablespoon of cocoa powder and a tablespoon of sugar. Top with marshmallows and enjoy! I have a microwave hot chocolate recipe on my site if you want further instructions.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy this hot cocoa with a sweet treat like these toasted coconut chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, or gluten free shortbread.
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Recipe
The Best Vegan Hot Chocolate.
This vegan hot chocolate is rich and warming, and a wonderful treat on a chilly day!
Ingredients
- 3 cups non-dairy milk Use any non-dairy milk that suits your dietary needs.
- 5 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 Tablespoons organic cane sugar
- vegan marshmallows optional
Instructions
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Heat the non-dairy milk in a heavy bottomed sauce pan over medium heat until hot, but not boiling. You do not want to boil it.
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Whisk in your cocoa powder, and then your sugar. Whisk until it is smooth without any lumps.
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Pour into mugs and top with vegan marshmallows if desired.
Recipe Notes
You can use any non-dairy milk that works for your dietary needs. Try soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, hemp milk, or coconut milk.
We like to use So Delicious Unsweetened Coconut Milk beverage.
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This post is part of my series, 31 Days of Gluten Free, Dairy Free, and Egg Free Comfort Food.
Melissa
Pretty good. Made this my son and myself. I was really craving hot cocoa but I am trying to go totally vegan. So, I tried this. Very creamy but I did have to add a little bit more sugar.