Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the disclosure policy to learn more.
Thank you for supporting this blog!
Made with cocoa powder and almond milk, my vegan hot chocolate recipe comes together in less than ten minutes. It requires no special tools (just a saucepan and a whisk) and features ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen cabinet. Serve with a generous dollop of homemade coconut whipped cream!
What’s Great About This Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe?
This simple-to-make beverage is dairy free, gluten free, and vegan, so it’s perfect if you’re in need of a winter treat to suit friends and family with different dietary preferences. All of the ingredients in this recipe are shelf-stable, so it’s easy to prepare whenever a hot chocolate craving strikes. Just be sure to keep cocoa powder, sugar, sea salt, and a box of almond milk in the kitchen cabinet!
Vegan Hot Chocolate Ingredients
- Cocoa Powder – Choose unsweetened cocoa powder, not Dutch processed. And make sure you’re not using cocoa packets intended for instant hot chocolate; these already contain sweeteners, and frequently contain powdered milk or other dairy products that are not suitable for vegans.
- Granulated Sugar – Granulated sugar adds sweetness to balance the acidity of the unsweetened cocoa powder. You can replace it with another grainy white sugar, such as caster or superfine, and adjust the amount to taste.
- Sea Salt – A pinch of fine sea salt cuts the sweetness of the granulated sugar.
- Almond Milk – I made my hot chocolate with almond milk, but you can substitute another plant milk (like oat milk) if you want to make it nut-free as well. Opt for unsweetened plant milk, since you’ll add your own sweetener to taste. And if you aren’t vegan/dairy-free, you can always make this recipe with whole milk, too.
Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Total Time10 minutes
- Yield2 mugs (180-milliliter portions) 1x
A simple vegan hot chocolate recipe prepared with cocoa powder and almond milk.
Ingredients
35 grams unsweetened cocoa powder (1/4 cup)
25 grams granulated sugar (2 tablespoons)
Pinch fine sea salt
390 milliliters unsweetened* almond milk (1 1/2 cups + 2 tablespoons, divided)
Coconut whipped cream, cocoa powder, or chocolate shavings, to garnish
Instructions
In a small saucepan, whisk together the cocoa powder, granulated sugar, sea salt, and 2 tablespoons almond milk until a thick, crumbly paste forms.
Cook over low heat, stirring gently, until cocoa powder and sugar dissolved, then pour in remaining almond milk.
Continue cooking over low heat, whisking occasionally, until warm.
Taste and adjust sugar sweetener. Pour hot chocolate into mugs and garnish with shaved chocolate or coconut whipped cream. Serve immediately.
Notes
You can also use sweetened almond milk if you prefer a sweeter drink.
This recipe makes two small mugs of hot chocolate (I used this mug, from Ikea) but can easily be doubled or tripled to serve a larger group of people.
Garnish Ideas
Garnish vegan hot chocolate with coconut whipped cream; unsweetened cocoa powder; chocolate shavings or dairy free chocolate chips; citrus zest, such as orange or lemon; vegan marshmallows; or crushed freeze-dried raspberries or strawberries.
Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions
To reheat: Store leftover hot chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Rewarm in a small pan on the stovetop, or in a microwave-safe mug.
Other Hot Chocolate Recipes You Might Enjoy
Red Wine Hot Chocolate
White Hot Chocolate
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Raspberry Rose Hot Chocolate
And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!
