This vegan hot chocolate tastes just like traditional hot chocolate with simple ingredients that you likely have in your pantry. It's rich, creamy, and delicious.
I am picky about my hot chocolate. It has to be just right if I am going to drink it. My kids are now asking for this "best hot chocolate" every day! This is more of a treat thing for us, so their request is not granted, but at least they love this easy vegan hot chocolate recipe.
Want to know the secret ingredient that makes this creamy vegan hot chocolate so good? Brown sugar! It adds a little bit of complexity to this classic recipe. Here are some other tasty things that go great with this hot chocolate: Delicious Vegan Cinnamon Rolls, Vegan cinnamon biscuits, or this Vegan Coffee Cake. These are all great for snow days. This is a very simple recipe that can be whipped up quickly on a cold winter day or any day you want a cup of hot cocoa
What I love about this recipe...
- It's easy to make
- It has a rich chocolate flavor and is delicious
- Comes together quickly
- Made with basic ingredients
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Ingredients and Substitutions
- Non-dairy milk- The best vegan milk for vegan dairy-free hot chocolate will depend on your taste, personal preference, and whatever your favorite plant-based milk is. Typically, a thicker, richer, creamy milk will taste the best. Almond milk- this will be thinner milk and not as creamy. Soy milk- makes excellent hot chocolate. Cashew milk- more of a creamy milk. Oat milk- we love creamy oat milk hot chocolate. Coconut milk- makes very creamy hot chocolate and has a taste of coconut. You can use full-fat coconut milk or lite coconut milk.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder- it's important to use unsweetened cocoa powder because the sweet version doesn't work in this recipe.
- Brown sugar- could you use white sugar? Yeah, you could. But brown sugar makes this ultra-rich and delicious.
- Pinch of salt- just a super small pinch will make the chocolate flavor pop.
- Vanilla extract adds another layer of complexity, but you can leave it out if you want to. It's not a make-or-break ingredient.
Optional but highly recommended...
- Vegan Marshmallows- Most marshmallows contain gelatin. So, you need to make sure you find vegan marshmallows. There are several brands available. Dandies and Trader Joe's has mini marshmallows and regular marshmallows depending on the time of year; both are gelatin-free
- Vegan Whipping Cream- Vegan whipping cream is usually near the Cool Whip freezer section or where they have the canned, regular whipping cream. My absolute favorite brand is So Delicious Cocowhip. However, there are a lot of other brands out there.
Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full ingredient and quantity information.
How to make this dairy free hot chocolate recipe
Step 1- Take a small saucepan and add the unsweetened cocoa powder and brown sugar with a whisk until incorporated. Then slowly add the non dairy milk while whisking. You will end up with what looks like a chocolate mess on the top, but don't panic! It will mix in nicely.
Step 2- Then slowly add the non dairy milk while whisking. You will end up with what looks like a chocolate mess on the top, but don't panic! It will mix in nicely.
Step 3- Cook on medium heat for a few minutes until smooth and warm, stirring as needed. Remove from heat, add vanilla and salt, stir.
Step 4- Once cooled down, it is ready for your favorite toppings.
Expert Tips and Tricks
- Be very careful when you drink it off the stove; you don't want to burn your tongue.
- It's best to sift the cocoa powder if you can to limit the amount of chunks you have to smooth out with a whisk.
- If this sits for too long, it can get a thickness to the top, just stir it, and it will blend right back in.
Recipe FAQS
If you have leftovers, you can place the hot chocolate in a cup or mug with plastic wrap over the top firmly covered and place it in the refrigerator. This will last up to 4 days.
Microwave- You can reheat in the microwave for 1 minute to a minute thirty. Stove- Or you can reheat at low heat on the stove if you would prefer.
-vegan marshmallows
-vegan whipping cream
-vegan chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips
-pinch of cinnamon
-sprinkles
-candy canes
-whatever you like on your vegan hot chocolate
Depending on your unsweetened cocoa, you can get away with using less brown sugar than called for. Some are more bitter than others.
You can always play around with it. But ⅓ cup seems to be the sweet spot. If you add a lot of mix-ins like coconut whip or marshmallows, you may prefer the ¼ cup brown sugar. I wouldn't substitute any other sugars, like pure maple syrup or white sugar, as that will change the flavor.
If you want this to serve more than two people, then double the recipe until you have enough for everything. I would cook it on the stove first and then transfer it to a crockpot to stay warm.
Check out these other vegan recipes...
If you loved this recipe, then give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment! I love to chat with you all. Please feel free to share on social media and tag #courtneyshomestead. I would love to see you over on Instagram or Facebook.
Brown Sugar Vegan Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 cups oatmilk* any non dairy milk
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- dash salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Take a small saucepan and add the unsweetened cocoa powder and brown sugar with a whisk until incorporated. Then slowly add the non dairy milk while whisking. You will end up with what looks like a chocolate mess on the top, but don't panic! It will mix in nicely.
- Cook on medium heat for a few minutes until smooth and warm. Remove from heat, add vanilla and salt, and stir. Once cooled, it is ready to enjoy.
Notes
- vegan marshmallows
- vegan whipping cream
- vegan chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips
- pinch of cinnamon
- sprinkles
- candy canes
- whatever you like on your vegan hot chocolate
-
- Be very careful when you drink it off the stove; you don't want to burn your tongue.
- It's best to sift the cocoa powder if you can to limit the amount of chunks you have to smooth out with a whisk.
- If this sits for too long, it can get a thickness to the top, just stir it, and it will blend right back in.
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