When the cold weather comes, it’s time to curl up with fuzzy blankets, warm sweaters and a warm and cozy beverage. My family loves hot chocolate on a cold day, but many are worried about how to pull this off after eliminating dairy from their diet. Well my friends, worry no more. I’ve got a simple and delicious hot chocolate recipe for you that is not only vegan but whole food plant-based (WFPB) as well. Read on to learn how.
Inspiration
I was inspired to post this recipe after I got an e-mail about missing out on all of the things that made the colder seasons special. For this person, curling up with a mug of hot chocolate was a nostalgic tradition that she didn’t want to give up. I totally understand where she’s coming from.
If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know that I’m all about making the food (or in this case, drinks) you love, just in a WFPB way. For some, this makes the transition to this lifestyle SO MUCH EASIER. I mean, if I sat here and told you that you’d never be able to eat any of the foods you loved, you’d probably peace out and never come back. And I wouldn’t blame you one bit.
I’m not about that though. I truly believe that with a few simple swaps, we can make just about anything in a healthy way that serves our bodies as well as the planet and the animals. So, let’s get to it and make some WFPB hot chocolate.
Ingredients
Since the craving for hot chocolate can hit at any time, I wanted to make this one from super simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand.
You will need:
Plant milk of your choosing
Cacao powder or cocoa powder
Date syrup or maple syrup
These three ingredients will make a pretty killer base hot chocolate. Then you can add any additional flavour bombs you like to take it up a notch. Here are some recommended options.
Optional Additions:
Vanilla
Cinnamon
Pure peppermint extract
Pure orange extract
Making Hot Chocolate
You can do this in a couple of different ways. If you have a blender with a soup setting (or that heats the contents of the blender while it blends) this is the easiest route. However, if you don’t have one, no problem. We can do this with simple equipment as well, a small pot on the stovetop will work beautifully.
The Blender Method
Making this hot chocolate in a blender is super simple. Just add all of the ingredients to the blender, put the lid on (tightly!) and blend on the soup setting until its warm. It may take a second cycle if your milk was cold to begin with. This method will froth up your plant-milk as well so you will have a fancy foam on top
The Stovetop Method
To make this on the stovetop, simply add all of your ingredients to a small pot and heat over medium-low heat. Wisk it together while it warms and periodically while heating. Be careful not to leave it unattended (or it will boil over, leaving you with a sticky mess to clean up). You could also use a milk frother to get that foamy top if you so desire, but it’s not necessary.
Once warm, pour the hot chocolate into your favourite mug, dig out some cozy socks, a good book and enjoy. 😉
So, the next time your friend is telling you that you have to kiss hot chocolate goodbye because you don’t do dairy, whip up a batch of this deliciousness while thinking “I don’t think so, Janet.”
Super Simple Hot Chocolate
This hot chocolate recipe is not only super easy to make but delicious too. It's completely vegan, whole food plant-based, dairy-free and made without refined sugars. So go ahead and enjoy this cozy beverage without any guilt.
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups plant-milk
- 2.5 tbsp cacao or cocoa powder
- 2-3 tbsp date syrup or maple syrup (to taste)
Optional Additions
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp pure peppermint extract
- 1/2 tsp pure orange extract
Instructions
Blender Method
- Add all ingredients to your blender and run on the soup (or warming) cycle until you reach your desired temperature. It may take 2 cycles if the plant milk was cold.
- Pour into two of your favourite mugs and garnish with cocoa nibs if you're feeling fancy.
Stovetop Method
- Add all ingredients to a small pot and whisk together over medium-low heat until it reaches the desired temperature.
- Be sure to keep a close eye on it and continue whisking so it doesn't boil over or burn to the bottom of the pan.
- Divide between two of your favourite mugs and garnish with cocoa nibs if you're feeling fancy.
Notes
For a lower-calorie beverage, substitute water for half of the plant milk.
Tried this recipe? Tag me on Instagram (@mentalforlentils) and use #mentalforlentils. I love seeing what you’re whipping up in your kitchen.
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