1 ½cupsnon-dairy milklike almond milk, oat milk or soy milk
½cupcoconut milkfrom the can, carton or homemade creamy coconut milk, your choice OR another thick milk or vegan heavy cream
2tablespoonsmaple syrupor 4 tablespoons of regular sugar
Dash saltdo not leave out!
Top with coconut cream, vegan whipped cream and cinnamon
Delicious add-ins
¼teaspoonturmeric
¼teaspooncinnamon
Instructions
Vegan Hot Chocolate/Hot Cocoa (Simple & Creamy)
In a pot over medium heat, stir in the cacao/cocoa powder, the milks, maple syrup (or sugar), and dash of salt. If you're adding the add-in ingredients, stir them in now too. Stir and simmer for about 5 minutes until everything is heated through and begins to bubble just slightly.
Top with whipped coconut cream, marshmallows and a dash of cinnamon and enjoy! You can even add vegan marshmallows on top for added comfort.
Video
Notes
Tips for Success
Here are some tips for making the perfect cup of plant-based hot chocolate:
Don’t skip the salt! It really is the key to getting balanced flavour, rather than hot chocolate that’s cloyingly sweet.
Sweeten to taste. If you’re using a milk that’s already sweetened, use less maple syrup or sugar to start; taste and add more if needed.
Use cocoa powder. Not hot cocoa mix, which is already pre-sweetened.
The use of two milks is to help with balanced thickness. However you can just use one, just know the texture may be different!
How to Store
If you have leftover hot chocolate, you can store it in a jar or bottle in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy it cold or warm it up in the microwave or in a saucepan over medium heat.
Making Hot Cocoa for a Crowd
If you’re hosting a holiday get-together, consider a hot cocoa bar where everyone can fill up a mug with hot chocolate and add their favorite toppings! Simply scale up this recipe so it makes enough to serve all of your guests, then transfer it to a slow cooker and use the Warm setting to keep it warm during your party. (Alternatively, you can make an entire batch of hot cocoa in the slow cooker from start to finish using my Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate recipe.)