Rich & Velvety Vegan Hot Chocolate
I used to drink hot chocolate every morning as a kid – the instant kind loaded with sugar. This recipe is way healthier and tastes much better, too!
What makes this hot chocolate a little different is the addition of almond butter. It might sound like an unusual ingredient for hot chocolate at first, but it adds a lovely creaminess and a subtle nutty flavor that works really well with the cocoa. It also makes the drink feel a little more substantial, which I really like on a cold day.
If you can get your hands on date sugar, there’s no need for additional sweeteners at all. But don’t sweat it – maple syrup is fine, too! You can adjust the amount depending on how sweet you like your hot chocolate and how naturally sweet your plant milk is.
A Note On Cocoa Powder
Feel free to experiment with the amount of cocoa powder, too. I like a strong, rich taste, but it depends on your preferences and also the kind of cocoa powder you’re using. Some cocoa powders are much more intense than others, so you might want to start with a little less and add more to taste.
I usually make this with oat or soy milk, but you can use pretty much any plant milk you have at home. Oat milk makes it especially creamy, and soy milk works well if you want a little more protein. It’s best to use your favorite milk, as the flavor will shine through quite a lot. Just keep in mind that the flavor will change slightly depending on what you use.
For extra decadence, top your hot chocolate with vegan whipped cream and some shaved vegan chocolate – pure bliss! A sprinkle of cinnamon or a little pinch of sea salt would also be delicious.
This is the kind of drink I love making when I want something cozy without much effort. It only takes a few minutes to prepare, and it’s perfect for a slow morning, a chilly afternoon or a quiet evening on the couch.
Try These Variations of My Vegan Hot Chocolate:
- add a pinch of chili flakes for a little kick
- add a little bit of orange extract for Orange Hot Chocolate
Rich & Velvety Vegan Hot Chocolate
Everyone loves hot chocolate. What could be better than a steaming mug of velvety chocolatey goodness on a cold winter’s day? It hits the spot when you come home from a long walk with the dogs in the forest, want to curl up on the couch with a good book, or just any time you fancy a bit MORE chocolate in your life.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 5
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 portion
- Category: desserts, snacks
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 cup plant-based milk (like oat)
- 1.5 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- 1 tbsp date sugar or maple syrup, or to taste
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Put the plant-based milk in a pot and stir in the rest of the ingredients. Mix thoroughly.
- Heat the pot on the stove on medium heat, stirring as you go along.
- Test the temperature and the sweetness – when it’s warm and sweet enough, you’re good to go!
