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    Recipes » Recipes » Drinks

    Vegan Hot Chocolate

    Last updated - July 14, 2021; Published - September 27, 2018 By Rhian Williams 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Photo of a saucepan pouring hot chocolate into a small pink bowl against a marble background

    This Vegan Hot Chocolate is thick, creamy, rich, warming and comforting! It's quick and easy to make, easily customisable and is also gluten-free, refined sugar free and nut-free optional.

    A bowl filled with vegan hot chocolate topped with cocoa powder

    How to make this recipe

    Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe.

    • Place all the ingredients in a saucepan.
    A pan filled with plant-based milk and cocoa powder with a spoon in it
    • Mix well, ensuring that the cornflour (cornstarch) has completely dissolved before heating.
    A pan with vegan chocolate milk and a spoon stirring in cornflour
    • Cook on a medium heat, stirring regularly, for around 5 minutes or until thickened.

    Tip: It is crucial to ensure that the cornflour (cornstarch) has dissolved completely before heating, otherwise it will clump up once you start to cook the mixture. Regular stirring is also necessary to ensure you don't get clumps.

    A pan filled with vegan hot chocolate
    • Serve and enjoy immediately!
    Vegan hot chocolate being poured into a bowl from a pan
    Which milk is best for vegan or dairy-free hot chocolate?


    I like to use cashew milk as it has a neutral flavour and a creamy texture.

    Coconut milk has an even creamier texture and is very rich, but it will give the hot chocolate a strong coconut flavour.

    Almond milk also has a neutral flavour, but a thinner texture compared to cashew milk.

    Soy milk has a thinner texture similar to almond milk, but will give the hot chocolate a strong soy flavour.

    Oat milk and rice milk both have a sweet flavour, but very thin, almost watery texture.

    Substitutions you can make

    • You can omit the cornflour (cornstarch) or replace it with tapioca flour.
    • You can use any type of sweetener: maple syrup, agave syrup, brown rice syrup, coconut sugar etc.

    Flavour alternatives

    • You can add a pinch of mixed spice or cinnamon or even chilli powder for depth of flavour.
    • You can add some peppermint extract or orange extract for freshness.
    • You can add a teaspoon peanut butter or almond butter for extra rich creaminess.

    More vegan hot drinks

    • Red Wine Hot Chocolate
    • Kinako Latte
    • Lemon Tea
    • Eggnog
    • Amazake

    If you try out this recipe or anything else from my blog, I’d really love to hear any feedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo @rhiansrecipes #rhiansrecipes on Instagram! Thank you.

    Watch how to make it

    Vegan hot chocolate being poured into a bowl from a pan

    Vegan Hot Chocolate

    This Vegan Hot Chocolate is rich and creamy, easy to make and super comforting!
    4.50 from 14 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Italian
    Keyword: vegan chocolate drink, vegan drinking chocolate, vegan hot chocolate
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 74kcal
    Author: Rhian Williams

    Ingredients

    • 250 ml (1 cup) unsweetened cashew milk (or sub any other plant-based milk)
    • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
    • 2 teaspoons (1 tablespoon) maple syrup to taste (or sub any other sweetener)
    • 1 teaspoon cornflour (cornstarch) (optional)

    Instructions

    • Mix together all the ingredients in a saucepan - ensure the cornflour has completely dissolved.
    • Cook on a medium heat, stirring regularly, for around 5 minutes or until thickened.

    Video

    Notes

    Tip: It is crucial to ensure that the cornflour (cornstarch) has dissolved completely before heating, otherwise it will clump up once you start to cook the mixture. Regular stirring is also necessary to ensure you don't get clumps.
    Nutrition Facts
    Vegan Hot Chocolate
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 74 Calories from Fat 18
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 2g3%
    Saturated Fat 1g5%
    Sodium 171mg7%
    Potassium 47mg1%
    Carbohydrates 13g4%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 8g9%
    Protein 1g2%
    Calcium 17mg2%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Made the recipe?Tag @rhiansrecipes on instagram and use the hashtag #rhiansrecipes!

    Disclosure: This posts contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase any of these products, a small percentage will come to me with no extra cost to you! This income will go towards the running of this blog – thank you.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. RascalTravels

      October 23, 2015 at 10:48 am

      Haha I never thought of doing this, my mind has just been blown. I always thought it wasn't possible to do it at home as I make my own oatmilk. When I heat it though it turns into gloopy oatmeal mess, because of it being made with oats. I will have to try it with almonds instead.

      Reply
    2. May

      April 04, 2018 at 12:08 am

      5 stars
      Perfect for a cold day like today! Why is is still cold in April 🙁 🙁 🙁

      Reply
      • Rhian Williams

        April 04, 2018 at 9:51 am

        Haha I agree! Thank you!

    3. Lynda Whittaker

      September 29, 2018 at 2:07 am

      One of my favourite things to do with hot chocolate is to put a peppermint teabag in it for a few minutes and I get a delicious cup of mint hot chocolate.

      Reply
      • Rhian Williams

        September 29, 2018 at 1:16 pm

        That sounds amazing, thank you for sharing what a great idea!

    4. Anne

      December 24, 2021 at 5:12 pm

      5 stars
      Finally a hot chocolate that tastes fabulous and gluten free vegan
      Thank u

      Reply
      • Rhian Williams

        December 24, 2021 at 5:17 pm

        Thank you so much!

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    Photo of Rhian Williams from Rhian's Recipes

    Hi, I'm Rhian! I make easy, undetectably vegan + gluten-free recipes, including healthy comfort food and naturally sweetened desserts using plant-based ingredients.

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