The ultimate homemade vegan hot chocolate recipe is here! After posting my recipe for Easy Vegan Marshmallow Fluff, I'm sure you're not surprised (but hopefully very excited) to see my follow up recipe for Easy Vegan Hot Chocolate. Isn't it just the most perfect winter time holiday treat? Topped with some toasted marshmallow fluff, it makes for the perfect cozy drink!
Before the days of vegan, I used to buy the instant hot chocolate powder mixes they sell at grocery stores. Words like "double chocolate" and "extra rich and creamy" would convince me that they must be delicious. LIES! ALL LIES! My Easy Vegan Hot Chocolate made with homemade marshmallow fluff is really I want during the winter. This recipe is so easy to make, it can be mastered by any "beginner cook" and will keep you happy all winter.
The hot chocolate was always thin and powdery tasting, not to mention those pathetic hard white floaty bits they claimed were marshmallows. Pffff!
Then one fine day I realized that making hot chocolate from scratch is practically instant anyways, but it's at least 17 times better than any instant store-bought waste of time.
Homemade easy vegan hot chocolate takes just 5 minutes to make, 15 if you include making the toasted marshmallow fluff (which I highly recommend), and it's so perfectly decadent and delicious. Whisking the hot chocolate while heats makes it frothy and fabulous. The end result is the best hot chocolate ever! It's incredibly rich and creamy, super chocolatey, and the perfect cold winter day warm up.
To make Easy Vegan Hot Chocolate:
In a medium sauce pan, whisk together the cocoa powder, white sugar, and salt.
Pour in the non-dairy milk and put the sauce pan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer while continuing to whisk. Once hot and simmering, and well mixed, remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. Divide among 2 - 4 mugs (depending on how big of serving you would like).
For the toasted marshmallow fluff topping, simply dollop some marshmallow fluff on top, or use a pastry bag to decorate, then toast the fluff lightly with a brulée torch.
Common Questions
Can soy milk be heated up?
Yes, it can. Soy milk can curdle when heated to a very high temperature, so you could see some coagulated solid particles float to the surface if heated up on high.
What vegan milk is best for hot chocolate?
It all depends on your taste. I prefer Oat Milk, personally.
Where can I find non-dairy whipped cream?
I know Silk make a non-dairy whipped cream. But you should be able to find it on Amazon or at your local grocery store.
(click stars to vote)
Easy Vegan Hot Chocolate
Servings: small mugs or 2 large mugs
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Ingredients
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup white sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3 cups plant-based milk, (such as soy or almond)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup Easy Vegan Marshmallow Fluff, (optional)
Instructions
- In a medium sauce pan, whisk together the cocoa powder, white sugar, and salt. Pour in the non-dairy milk and put the sauce pan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer while continuing to whisk. Once hot and simmering, and well mixed, remove from the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. Divide among 2 - 4 mugs (depending on how big of serving you would like).
- For the toasted marshmallow fluff topping, simply dollop some marshmallow fluff on top, or use a pastry bag to decorate, then toast the fluff lightly with a brulée torch.
Notes
Nutrition
Bon appetegan!
Sam.
Luciana Migliaccio says
Is there any other way to toast the marshmallow fluff besides using a Brulé torch?
Ingrid says
Amazing, easy, delicious. Use Sam’s fluff recipe to top it off!!!! It’s a must
Noelle says
This is literally the easiest! Thanks for posting!
Sherry says
This was delicious. Just made this for the crew who had the pleasure of digging us out from under two feet of snow from our driveway. We used maple syrup instead of sugar, and left off the marshmallow. We added it to coffee for mochas and they’re perfect! `
Deakan says
Why 4 stars if it was perfect instead of 5?
Sherry says
Simply because we didn’t try the marshmallow fluff.
Luciana Migliaccio says
That sounds amazing ‼️
Susan says
Happy holidays to you Sam - thanks again for a fine recipe present. I am drinking it right now! It's super good.
Susan says
I forgot the stars! 5!
Adi says
I love this hot chocolate, so warm and delicious! I substitute sugar for maple syrup and it works out amazing every time! I also use one out of 3 cups water rather than milk so it's not too rich. I make it all the time!!
Sam Turnbull says
Wonderful!
Anna says
Better than store-bought! Thank you so much for making a vegan version. Will definitely be checking out your other recipes!
Laura says
Thank you, Sam for all of your hard work. Your recipes are simply wonderful!
Take carer...
Sinead ni chonarain says
I heat plant based milk and raw cocoa. I put two medjool dates into the pot and cinnamon & nutmeg & drop of vanilla essence. When ready I blend in nutritional bullet and serve in nice cip and saucer with a sprinkle of cinnamon. DELICIOUS...... absolutely no need for sugar. The dates being the sweetness.
Stella says
Hi Sam... is white sugar vegan???!
Help me to understand.. please
What sweetener would you use for whole food plant based diet
Thank you!
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Stella. Some white sugar isn't vegan as they can use bone char to refine it. Using bone char in sugar isn’t very common anywhere other than the US. Always good to double-check with the brand you are purchasing. I use Redpath here in Canada and they say on their site that it’s vegan-friendly. A good tip is that organic sugar is always vegan.
Jenan says
No it’s not.
White sugar gets its color from a refining process that often involves the use of bone char, meaning even though it's not directly an animal product, it's not vegan. But don't opt for brown sugar, powdered sugar or even raw sugar. All of them are made from refined white sugar.
Ashley says
This did not turn out very good for me - but I also didn't have white sugar! I used raw sugar and later added coconut sugar but it still tasted off. Any suggestions for kinds of sugar and amounts to use if you don't have white?
Gaytri says
I omitted vanilla extract and made the recipe with unsweetened vanilla almond milk - it came out great! Thanks!
Jill says
Just made this for my kids and they loved it!! Simple and easy to make and delish!! Thank you for another great vegan recipe!!
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome 🙂
Jennifer Bernardo says
I made this and substituted monk fruit for the sugar! Makes an amazing hot coco that is dairy and sugar free!
Sam Turnbull says
Amazing 🙂
Gagandeep Heer says
I just made this tonight and it was so good. This is my go to recipe from now on. Thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
Oh that's so awesome, Gagandeep! So happy you loved the recipe so much 🙂
Heather says
I have make this many times. It is soooooo yummy to our (my family) tummy!
Sam Turnbull says
So happy to hear that!
Jennifer Bliss says
Looks and sounds pretty darn amazing!!!!
Sam Turnbull says
Oh it is 😉
Jillian says
Oh my goodness!!! So delicious- didn’t have time to make the marshmallow whip but topped it with SoDelicious coconut whipped cream we had in the fridge. Yum!!! Went great with the Hallmark Christmas movies that we were watching today.
Sam Turnbull says
That sounds like a delightful way to spend your day! So happy you enjoyed, Jillian 🙂
Mari says
I may or may not be the one who screamed yes yes yes, oh God yes, when I saw this post. This is a perfect pairing with that delectable marshmallow fluff. That was a stroke,of genius, because marshmallows tend not to melt evenly, and the fluff will be just the right xonsistency when I spoon it in. To be honest I thought I would just heat up some chocolate cashew milk, but this is just as easy and just as fast. Another home run. Thank you thank you thank you.
Sam Turnbull says
I thought I heard distant screams of joy.... Hahaha! Thrilled you are so excited about the recipe, Mari! Enjoy 😀