5 Minute Vegan Hot Chocolate
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Learn how to make the best homemade Vegan Hot Chocolate in just 5 minutes! Perfectly creamy, chocolatey and rich with just the right amount of sweetness. Totally customizable, too!
There is nothing quite as comforting as sipping a rich, creamy delicious cup of hot chocolate on a cold winter day, perhaps while sitting by a warm fire. Ahhh….Bliss.
This vegan hot chocolate is just the easy recipe you need. It’s easy to double, or even triple, if you are serving a crowd, and it’s customizable. For example, I like my hot chocolate a little less sweet than some, but my kids like it pretty sweet, so I give you some options depending on your tastebuds.
Ingredients needed (with substitutions)
- Almond milk – You can substitute any non-dairy milk you like, such as soy, oat, coconut or hemp. Try to use unsweetened, but if you only have sweetened milk, add less sugar so it doesn’t turn out too sweet.
- Cocoa powder – Regular, non-dutch processed is best, but any cocoa or cacoa powder will work.
- Sugar – Make sure to use organic to ensure it’s vegan, or substitute maple syrup/agave to taste. You could probably even use a sugar substitute of some sort like monk fruit or stevia.
- Non-dairy chocolate chips or bars – You can use chopped vegan chocolate bars or chocolate chips, your choice.
- Vanilla
- Salt – Just a tiny pinch to balance flavors.
- Vegan Whipped Cream – You can use my recipe for aquafaba based whipped topping, which tastes a lot like marshmallow fluff and is perfect on hot cocoa! Or top with a store bought non-dairy whipped topping. Vegan marshmallows are also fun.
How do you make vegan hot chocolate?
In a medium sized pot, add the almond milk, cocoa, sugar and chocolate chips. Warm over medium heat, while whisking to combine until the mixture is creamy, smooth and warm. Don’t bring to a boil.
Taste for sweetness; add more sugar if desired. Stir in the vanilla and a tiny pinch of salt.
Pour into mugs, then top with optional non-dairy whip cream or vegan marshmallows! That’s it.
Where can I find non-dairy whip cream?
Luckily, non-dairy whip creams are popping up all over the place. I can even get it at Target nowadays, it’s the Reddi-Wip brand and they have coconut and almond. But my personal favorite is So Delicious Coco Whip, in the freezer section at Whole Foods and some other stores.
You can also make your own using my Vegan Whipped Cream recipe. Or skip the whipped cream and go with vegan marshmallows instead! Trader Joe’s usually carries them.
Tips and variations
- If you don’t like a lot of sweetness, cut the sugar in half and add to taste. It’s very adjustable.
- Just want 1 cup of hot chocolate? Cut the recipe in half.
- Mocha – Make a mocha by adding a few shots of espresso or using 1/2 strong hot coffee and half hot chocolate.
- Mexican Hot Chocolate – Add 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg.
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate – Add a few drops of peppermint extract and top with crushed candy canes.
- Caramel Hot Chocolate – Stir in a little bit of vegan caramel (reduce sugar called for by half) and then drizzle more on top.
You might also enjoy my Vegan Pumpkin Spice Latte or Vegan Eggnog.
5 Minute Vegan Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1-3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup dairy free chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate bar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- tiny pinch of salt
- coconut whip cream, vegan marshmallows, chocolate shavings, (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- In a medium pot, add the almond milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon of sugar and chocolate chips.
- Turn the heat to medium, and whisk to combine as it warms. The chocolate chips will slowly melt and it will become smooth and creamy. Do NOT bring the mixture to a boil, just heat and whisk until it's warm and smooth, then remove from heat.
- Stir in the vanilla and a tiny pinch of salt. Taste for sweetness; add 2 more tablespoons for a sweeter drink (my kids prefer it sweeter, while I like it less sweet).
- Pour into mugs and top with coconut whip, aquafaba whip or vegan marshmallows, if desired. Enjoy!
Notes
- I prefer almond milk for this recipe, but any non-dairy milk will work: soy, coconut or cashew are all good choices. Just use unsweetened and unflavored or it will make your hot chocolate too sweet!
- Use organic sugar to ensure vegan. May also use pure maple syrup or another sweetener, if desired.
- Chocolate chips or a chopped up dark chocolate bar will work for this recipe. Just read the ingredients to ensure there's no milk. You can also use various flavored vegan chocolate bars, such as peppermint dark chocolate, hazelnut, etc. for variation. My favorite brand is Theo. To make the hot chocolate less rich, simply add less chocolate.
- You can find non-dairy whip cream in all sorts of stores today! My favorite is So Delicious Coco Whip. Or make your own. Trader Joes sometimes has vegan marshmallows.
- This recipe is easy to double, or even triple for a crowd.
- Try adding a few drops of peppermint extract for Peppermint Hot Chocolate, then top with coco whip and crushed candy canes.
Nutrition
*This recipe was originally published December 2018 and has been updated with improved tips and writing. Thank you.
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39 Comments on “5 Minute Vegan Hot Chocolate”
Will this keep sitting in a crock pot for a party? Thank you!
Yes, it will. Just give it a stir before serving. Enjoy!
Would rice or Oat milk work okay? My son is allergic to all nuts along with his dairy allergy.
Hi Caitlin! Any non-dairy milk will work- just use unsweetened and unflavored or it will make your hot chocolate too sweet! Thanks!
Nora, i read, non Dutch cacao…., why is that? Out cacao is very good….
Greetings from the Netherlands
You could use natural or dutch processed, but at least where I am in the United States dutch cocoa powder is alkaline processed and very dark. Which is fine, but it wouldn’t look the same as my cocoa pictured here. I imagine your cocoa in the Netherlands is absolutely amazing!
Thanks for the recipe! Super decadent! Easy to make and a good base for other flavors. I added a candy cane and marshmallows for fun! The proportions here made it super chocolatey!! I like a milkier chocolate, so I will cut back a little on the chocolate chips and cocoa next time. I also used oat milk and it was fine, but might have made it more chocolatey.
Hi Heather. How fun! I’m glad you like the recipe! Thank you for sharing!
Just delicious 😋! We love your recipes. Thank u!!
I’m so glad you love my recipes! Thank you for using them, and for taking the time to share!
Nora-
I would love to try your recipe, but I heard that I should use dutch processed cocoa because it is better quality. What is the reason I should not?
I’ve never heard that, it just depends on the recipe. Either works here though, so use whichever you like. 🙂
We made this for our Christmas Eve movie marathon and it was DELICIOUS 🤤 We planned to make more last night, but were too stuffed on Christmas dinner (thanks to another delicious recipe of yours!!) so I have a feeling we will be making more hot chocolate today! 😊
Hi Lillian. How fun! I’m so glad you enjoyed the hot chocolate. Thank you!
I loved your recipe, wonderful flavor just in time to use my Christmas mugs. Thank you for sharing! 😃☕️
You’re welcome!
Hi there! Very exciting to give this a try. Is cacao okay to use?
Thank you
Yes, that’s fine. Enjoy!
So good! You should so try it. It’s creamy and delicious. I can’t wait to try it with peppermint!
Delicious,! Very rich, felt like I was back in Paris! Quick and easy to make. Both kids and I enjoyed it very much. Thank you!
You’re welcome!!
Holy cow, this is delicious!! Was craving hot chocolate and whipped this up – it’s perfect!!
Thanks!
Had a craving for hot chocolate and found your recipe. Easy and delicious! 🙂
Nora never ceases to amaze me! I was craving some creamy hot chocolate and this hit the spot perfectly! Another family favorite from you. Thank you!
You’re so welcome! Thanks for the great comment!
Drinking this now spiked with Brandy. Sooooo good! Enjoying a relaxing NYE in playing board games. Thanks for the great recipe!
Have you tried making this in a Vitamix on the Soup setting? I just got my Vitamix delivered and I really want to try it out.
No, I haven’t tried it. It probably would work though!
It worked! It was so smooth and frothy! I haven’t had hot cocoa in years. I’m so excited that whipping up a cup is easy.
Thank you, Tracy! I’m so glad you liked it.
Do you have to add salt? I only ask because I can always taste the salt in other hot chocolate which keeps me from drinking it.
No, just leave it out if you know you don’t like it. Thanks!
Adding sugar definitely helps. So yummy!!
So glad it was good!
This sounds delicious! I can’t wait to make it with my nieces. I’ve made a few of your kid-tested and approved recipes. They’re always great. I especially love the customizable references. Thank you!
Thank you!! I hope you all enjoy the hot chocolate!
Absolutely delicious!!
Nora
I love your recipes and make many of them. Thank you for being on the front line of veganism and helping us eat healthy and humanely, while still eating yummy food. I truly appreciate it.
The hot cocoa of my dreams! When I was a kid and watched people in movies drink hot cocoa, this is what I imagined they were drinking! Thank you.