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Vegan Hot Chocolate

Name: Vegan Hot Cocoa
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 7 min
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.

by Marly

Updated 9/27/23

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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!

Two glass mugs hold vegan hot chocolate both with cream on top and cinnamon sticks. There are chocolate chips and cinnamon sticks around the mugs and a bowl of whipped cream and chocolate chips.

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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

Why This Recipe is a Winner

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

Ingredients for making hot cocoa sit on a counter. The labels read, "plant-based milk, cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate chips, and vegan whipped cream."

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:

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

★★★★★
I love a cup of hot cocoa with my bagel and this one is perfect. Smooth and creamy. Thanks!
Kelly

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

Watermelon Slushie

10 mins total

Golden Milk Latte

30 mins total

Lookin down on two glass mugs with vegan hot cocoa. They have cream and chocolate syrup on top. There are cinnamon sticks in both mugs. There are chocolate chips and cinnamon sticks around the mugs and a bowl of whipped cream and chocolate chips.

I hope you like this recipe for hot chocolate as much as we do!

Looking down on a mug full of hot cocoa with whipped cream and chocolate syrup on top. There's a cinnamon stick in the mug and more beside. There are chocolate chips around the mug.

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

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 7

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.

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.

2 Responses to Vegan Hot Chocolate

Kelly January 13, 2021 at 7:33 am Reply

I love a cup of hot cocoa with my bagel and this one is perfect. Smooth and creamy. Thanks!

Marly January 13, 2021 at 7:48 am

I’m with you Kelly! So glad you liked it!