Simple Vegan Hot Chocolate—Dairy and Sugar Free
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This simple vegan hot chocolate recipe uses only 4 ingredients and is perfect for those with food allergies. It tastes great too and is the perfect thing to warm you up on chilly fall and winter days.
But this dairy-free hot chocolate is so good — who says you can't drink it all year long?
I love making my own healthy versions of processed foods like homemade chocolate chips, homemade white chocolate chips, taco seasoning, easy homemade ketchup, Honey Balsamic Vinaigrette, and even paleo taco shells.
Today I'm sharing with you another healthier version of a typically processed food–hot chocolate. This recipe is perfect for those who are avoiding dairy and sugar and it's so much better for you than the packaged brands.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This drink is so satisfying and will warm you from the inside out. It's perfect on a cold winter day or any day at all. In fact, I imagine myself (when I have time to read again) curling up with a good book and a giant mug of this on a crisp autumn day or during a spring thunderstorm: cozy.
Pair this hot chocolate with one of these grain-free Healthy Carob Muffins, a few of these delicious Soft Pumpkin Cookies, or a slice of whatever pie you like using this Easiest Pie Crust.
There are many variations to this recipe and you really can’t go wrong.
We've used a variety of non-dairy milks from almond (my favorite being vanilla almond), hemp, rice, and coconut. You can use the recipe as written or you can use carob powder instead of cocoa.
I also discovered last time I made this that a combination of about 1 tablespoon carob and 1 teaspoon cocoa made a lovely mixture but start with small amounts and adjust to your taste!
You could use stevia, as I did, or honey or maple syrup (this would make for an interesting flavor variation) or if you find the carob version sweet enough you may not need sweetener at all.
Top this with coconut whipped cream (or this “faux coconut whipped cream“), real whipped cream (if you are able to eat it), cashew cream or sans cream (which is how I usually enjoy it). The possibilities are endless.
Whatever you do, take the time to really enjoy it.
Recipe Notes and Substitutions
- Homemade Dairy-Free Milk: If you would like to make your own non-dairy milk, here is Easiest Coconut Milk, Easiest Almond Milk, and Homemade Rice Milk.
- Carob: Here is a great option for organic carob powder.
- Homemade Liquid Stevia: If you would like to make your own liquid stevia, see Homemade Liquid Stevia.
- AIP: Use carob instead of cocoa and use approximately 2 teaspoons maple syrup (read this post for help choosing maple syrup) or honey instead of stevia.
- THM: For those on the Trim Healthy Mama plan, this recipe fits in as an “S.”
More Healthy Drink Recipes
- Adaptogenic Hot Chocolate – literally stress-busting hot chocolate!
- Vegan Eggnog – with alcohol or not, enjoy this dairy-free, egg-free, and sugar-free eggnog!
- Adrenal Cocktail – calm your adrenals with this sip-all-day drink.
- Protein Hot Chocolate – a hot chocolate healthy enough for breakfast!
Sugar-free Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- 1 tablespoon cocoa (or carob for AIP; sifted to remove clumps)
- liquid stevia (to taste – I used 5 drops)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a small saucepan and whisk over low heat until combined and desired temperature has been reached.
- Pour into a mug and enjoy!
Notes
- Homemade Dairy-Free Milk: If you would like to make your own non-dairy milk, here is Easiest Coconut Milk, Easiest Almond Milk, and Homemade Rice Milk.
- Carob: Here is a great option for organic carob powder.
- Homemade Liquid Stevia: If you would like to make your own liquid stevia, see Homemade Liquid Stevia.
- AIP: Use carob instead of cocoa and use approximately 2 teaspoons maple syrup (read this post for help choosing maple syrup) or honey instead of stevia.
- THM: For those on the Trim Healthy Mama plan, this recipe fits in as an “S.”
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may vary depending on ingredient brands, substitutions, and preparation methods. Optional ingredients are not included. Net carbs are typically calculated by subtracting fiber and sugar alcohols (such as erythritol) from total carbohydrates. This information should not be relied upon for medical or nutritional purposes.
Have you made Homemade Hot Chocolate before?
OH MY GOODNESS! This is the best thing I’ve had in two months. I’ve been on a candida diet for two months and really missed my chocolate! I made this tonight with Almond Milk, Cocoa Powder, and Vanilla Stevia Drops (I used 10 drops). I am SO happy – thanks for the great recipe!
yea! So happy to hear that. Sorry for the delay in responding. I am so behind – trying to catch up :).
How did u make the chocolate chips?
Here is my recipe for chocolate chips – enjoy! https://wholenewmom.com/whole-new-budget/homemade-chocolate-chips-carob-chips-recipe-revised/
Wonderful dairy free hot cocoa, my daughter loves hot cocoa but not the dairy, this would be perfect! I would love to invite you to share your recipe at Meal Planning Monday Recipe Link-Up. 🙂 https://www.aprilshomemaking.com/2014/03/meal-planning-monday-recipe-link-up-3.html
Hi April,
Thanks so much, I really hope she likes it! It is so hard for kiddos with allergies! I am excited to check out your link up!
Yum, I never thought of using almond milk to make hot chocolate, what a great idea!
Thanks Salma!
Candace, I am a new blog follower and subscribed to your other sites as well. I am going to try some of the recipes I have already spotted. I found you through the blog hop and hope that you will follow my blog as well. You can find me here http://www.portraits-by-nc.com/blog
Can’t wait to see what you cook next!
Enzie
Adrienne, I typed in Candace’s name in error – and there is no edit button. Please forgive me 🙂
No worries – so nice to see you here!!! 🙂
Hi Enzie! No worries on that, I do it all the time. My hands type faster than I can think sometimes! Looking forward to checking out your blog, thanks for stopping by!
I used to use stevia for everything for a number of years. I was having health problems and my adrenals were so depleted. Then I heard that using stevia consistently for a long time could effect your adrenals – so stopped using it all together.
I was wondering if anyone had heard of that as well?
I hope to write a post on stevia soon and will deal with this – thanks!
Great idea! Stevia is really amazing replacement of sugar. It has almost 0% calories and what is not least important – it’s absolutely natural. Because of this it’s also good for small children comparing to other “chemical” sweeteners.
Thanks Anna! I love stevia, it took a while but I have found some I like and learned to use it well. I am glad you feel the same!
Your hot chocolate looks so much more appetizing then mine ever does! I guess I have to try and try some more!
Hi Heather,
The coconut whipped cream really helps the look. I admit I don’t always top it but it does add a little extra something for special days! I just piped it on using an icing tip and sprinkled on some homemade, stevia-sweetened chocolate chips, if you need some help let me know!
Delicious and easy! 🙂 Thanks!
I hope you enjoy it!
Aren’t our children precious?
My two “little” girls are now 37 and 35!!!
It seems just days ago that they were small adventurers themselves, making their mommy proud, too.
Savor these days, they grow up SO FAST!
The hot cocoa sounds a perfect end to such wonderful adventures. Thank you. I think I’ll mail my wonderful blessings a ‘care’ package including this cocoa!
Hi Carol,
They certainly are! I never understood until I had kids myself how truly fast it goes by! Thank you for the reminder to slow down and savour every day, I sometimes forget this and I don’t ever want to look back and wish I had been more “in the moment”.
You have very lucky girls to have a mama that sends them care packages, I am sure they feel blessed! I hope you and your girls enjoy this recipe!
I just had a conversation about this with another mom at drop off today. My oldest is shadowing at a high school and my two younger children are 8 and 11 (where are my babies and toddlers?) I already miss the days they would snuggle on my lab to read a book together. I told them in the car on the way to school that every day is a new chance to share our love and laughter or trials and tears. No matter what age they are I will share a hug and try to stop what I’m doing to listen to their day. We can never get those days back but we can always look forward to creating new memories. Hold them as long as you can!
BTW I love your blog (the coconut milk is heating as I write) and am thinking about starting my own as I am trying to rid my body of candida and other possible microorganisms I believe to be contributing to my diagnosis of Crohn’s and other issues. If you have time, please e-mail as I have some questions about getting started.
Hi Kathy. Candace isn’t blogging anymore so I am responding. Sorry it took so long :). You are so right about the years being precious and to be cherished.
Thanks for the encouraging words. Much appreciated!! I don’t know that I have time to talk and for sure can’t diagnose about candida but we might have a specialist on the blog soon :).