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If you’re hoping to make hot chocolate from scratch, you’re in luck, because this healthy hot chocolate tastes incredible. (And can be stirred together in minutes!)
What’s great about making homemade hot chocolate is that you get to customize the flavor.
If you prefer a dark chocolate drink, you can add more cacao powder; if you prefer a sweeter drink, you can easily add more sweetness. A pinch of salt will help balance the flavor, and since you can taste this mixture as you go, it’s practically foolproof!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Featured Review
“This is the best healthy hot chocolate recipe. I’ve made it more times than I can count. It’s my go-to favorite.” -Christine
Ingredients for Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Milk. You can use any milk you prefer for this recipe, except for homemade oat milk (see the tip below). I prefer to use almond milk for dairy-free hot chocolate, but cashew, hemp, soy, or cow’s milk will also work.
- Cacao powder. I keep raw cacao powder in my pantry, but Dutch-processed cocoa powder will also work flavor-wise. Research suggests that less processed cacao powder will have more antioxidants.
- Maple syrup. This natural sweetener shouldn’t be confused with processed pancake syrup. (Check the label when shopping— the only ingredient should be 100% pure maple syrup.) The maple flavor pairs perfectly with this rich, chocolate flavor.
- Vanilla extract. This is an optional add-in, but it will help boost the flavor.
- Salt. Just a pinch of salt will elevate the taste and balance out the sweetness.
Detoxinista Tip
Don’t use homemade oat milk for this recipe because it will thicken when heated. Store-bought oat milk usually has additives that prevent this, especially if you buy a “barista”-style milk option.
How to Make Healthy Hot Chocolate
Step 1:
Add the almond milk, unsweetened cacao or cocoa powder, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and salt to a small saucepan. Over medium heat on the stovetop, whisk the mixture often until it starts to simmer and the lumps dissolve.
As soon as the hot chocolate looks creamy and is as warm as you’d like, it’s ready to serve. (No need to bring it to a full boil, or it will be too hot to drink!)
Step 2:
Carefully taste it, taking care not to burn your mouth, and make any necessary adjustments. Then, pour it into a mug and add any toppings you love.
Mini marshmallows, vegan marshmallows, or a dollop of coconut whipped cream are all delicious options.
Or, try it with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a Mexican hot chocolate flavor.
Storage Tips
Leftover hot chocolate can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It will separate when stored, but it will quickly come together again when whisked in a saucepan.
Looking for a make-ahead option?
Try my easy Hot Cocoa Mix, which can be stirred into hot milk and makes a great DIY gift idea.
Ingredients
- 1 cup almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 1 tablespoon raw cacao powder
- 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of fine sea salt
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a saucepan over medium heat and stir, using a whisk to break up any lumps. Keep stirring until it's smooth and reaches your desired warm temperature. (There is no need to bring it to a full boil.)
- Carefully taste the hot chocolate and make any necessary adjustments. For a darker chocolate flavor, add an extra dash of cocoa powder. For more sweetness, add an extra splash of maple syrup.
- Pour the hot chocolate into a mug right away and serve warm. Top with coconut whipped cream and chocolate shavings, if desired, or any other toppings you love.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
More Recipes to Try
If you try this dairy-free hot chocolate recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.
This recipe was good! It had a weird aftertaste, but other than that it was super easy to make and tasted good. I would recommend adding more milk than what the recipe calls for.
So good!
YUM!!! I made a date paste then added all the ingredients to a pot – sprinkled a bit of my diy sugar free pumpkin spice. No refined sugar and it was DELISH. Thank you!!!
Delicious! I made it with creamy Oat Milk and quadrupled the recipe. Very nice spiked for a cold winter night. 👌
This is my go-to hot chocolate recipe!! Absolutely the best
Hi, just to let you know, Consumer Reports has done independent tests on various dark chocolate bars (including) organic, and most brands rank high in lead and cadmium metals. 🙁 So, not as healthy as we all thought.
So good and so easy to make!
Delicious, easy recipe!
Last year I was diagnosed with a very rare autoimmune disease and have to change nearly everything to avoid painful, potentially deadly flare ups. No dairy, no soy – and I am a vegetarian! The holidays are here and I was missing hot cocoa. I have tried different homemade dry mixes. Then a friend of mine pointed me to this website. Two words — THANK YOU! This hot cocoa recipe is wonderful, and it is truly the best one I have found. Sometimes a person needs the warm hug a cup of hot cocoa can give. I missed that last year and am thrilled to have found your recipe and will be telling everyone I know about your website!
Delicious!!! I made this for my 4 year old daughter and she loved it! I topped it with a little homemade whipped cream that I sweetened with a smidge of pure maple syrup. Love that this was so tasty but without the refined sugar! Will be my go to recipe.