Homemade Vegan Hot Chocolate (SO GOOD)

Homemade Hot Cocoa Recipe.

Homemade vegan hot chocolate or hot cocoa (as my kids fondly say) is the only hot chocolate recipe you need! It is rich, creamy, super cozy, and seriously so delicious! It will compliment your coffee cake, banana bread, or cranberry bread and give you the ultimate satisfaction! The ingredients for this easy homemade vegan hot chocolate recipe includes almond milk, raw cacao, semi-sweet chocolate (plus other ingredients that is good for you). Also, this recipe it is gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, paleo, and vegan! You can’t beat that!

Though you can totally enjoy this healthy hot chocolate during the summer or any other time of the year. This recipe is perfect during the cold season, especially in the winter!

OK, foodie friend; I am beyond excited to show you how to make hot chocolate you will (actually) enjoy; this foolproof recipe will never fail!

The Origin of HOT CHOCOLATE

Surprisingly (well not), hot chocolate or hot cocoa originated in Mexico around 2,500–3,000 years ago by the Mayans. Some history says hot chocolate predates the Mayans. They made it with ground cocoa seeds mixed with water, cornmeal, chili peppers, etc. It has a thick consistency, is spicy, bitter, and mostly drank cold. Read more about the origin of this recipe here. From this short history, you can quickly tell that the original hot chocolate drink recipe was likely vegan.

Since its introduction to the world, hot chocolate, aka hot cocoa, has gone through different variations. Gladly it is now enjoyed across the globe, and here we are! Unlike before, most hot cocoa recipes are typically sweetened. However, when you make them at home like this homemade vegan hot chocolate recipe, you can modify it. 

Ingredients for Healthy Vegan Hot Chocolate:

• Raw Cacao
• Dairy-free Semi-sweet chocolate
• Almond Milk
• Maple syrup  
• Vanilla Extract

Cocoa Vs. Cacao:

Amazingly, cocoa and cacao are almost the same except that cocoa is processed using high temperature. Sometimes, people use these words interchangeably; however, there is some few differences. Unfortunately, some cocoa powder sold in stores may contain dry powdered milk, sugar, and other ingredients.

However, for this homemade vegan hot chocolate recipe, I opted for raw cacao powder – it is naturally unsweetened, vegan, and a little bitter. This is the brand I used. Also, no matter what you do, I do not recommend buying a hot chocolate mix from the store! 

HOW TO MAKE THIS VEGAN HOT COCOA (aka Hot Chocolate):

1. Place a clean pan on the stove and add almond milk, raw cacao, dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate, maple syrup,  and vanilla extract.
2. Keep stirring with a whisk until everything dissolves and the hot cocoa is hot to your desire. Pour into a cup or mug. Finally, top with marshmallows, sprinkles, chocolate syrup, or what you desire.
3. Enjoy or share this creamy health-ish homemade vegan hot chocolate with a loved one!

Easy Variations of Hot Chocolate:

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate: Just as the name suggests, add a dash of ground cinnamon or through in a cinnamon stick. Also, nutmeg is another fall/winter spice that goes so well with hot chocolate recipes.

Turmeric Hot Cocoa: Keep it all healthy with Turmeric. If you have ever tried turmeric latte, you will enjoy this variation! Simply add a teaspoon of ground turmeric and a dash of ground black pepper alongside the ingredients. Then follow the instructions to make good old vegan hot chocolate!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Peppermint is one of the major flavors of the Christmas season and winter! We love this flavor as well! Make sure to get a mint or peppermint extract, and just as you would the vanilla extract, use mint extract instead.

Coffee-Infused Hot Cocoa: My husband loves hot coffee cocoa (primarily because he loves coffee, anything)! Just like the others, this variation is super easy to make! Add a teaspoon of instant coffee alongside the other ingredients, stir, and enjoy! In the absence of instant coffee, you can sub a cup of almond milk with a cup of brewed cold coffee. In other words, you will use a cup of almond milk + a cup of brewed coffee. 

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE VEGAN HOT CHOCOLATE:

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MORE Vegan Recipes to Try:

Almond Oat Breakfast Cookies: Whether you are looking for a healthy snack, dessert, or just breakfast bake, be sure to count on this almond oat cacao cookie. It will not disappoint. And remember, healthy eating should never be boring.

Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal Porridge: The chocolate oatmeal porridge recipe is vegan, which means dairy-free! This plant-based delicious oatmeal recipe is also gluten-free!

Easy to make vegan oatmeal blueberry muffins are gluten-free, nut-free, moist, and incredibly tasty! The best part is that you can double batch for grab-n-go breakfasts and snacks!

These Pecan Butter Balls with ripe plantains are vegan, gluten-free, paleo-friendly, low carb, low sugar, sweet, savory, and insanely delicious.

Holiday Breakfast Ideas:

• Orange Cranberry Bread.
• Honey Wholewheat Banana Bread.
• Homemade Cinnamon – Date Rolls (Best sticky buns)!
• Healthy Greek Yogurt Oatmeal Pancakes
• Gluten-free Banana Oat Waffles.

While you are still here, grab my FREE (5) spinach salad recipe bundle. It would be a great addition to your dinner table (if you like salads) or you are looking to incorporate more veggies. Get the recipes here.

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS, Stay well and safe.

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