Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Drink Recipe: Easy & Healthy
Savor the velvety richness of this dairy free hot chocolate drink. A plant-based nourishing alternative to traditional hot chocolate.
Enjoy this rich and velvety Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Drink Recipe. A lovely blend of plant-based simple ingredients that promises a guilt-free nourishing treat.
I enjoy sipping on hot beverages, even in the summertime. There is a unique joy in crafting a drink and savoring it slowly throughout the day.
While I initially stuck to drinking black coffee only, I have learned to get creative in the kitchen, which led me to explore and appreciate a variety of delicious teas and non-dairy beverages.
This dairy free hot chocolate is the perfect cozy drink, and I think you will be surprised how this easy recipe makes for the perfect balance between decadence and health in every sip.
If you enjoy sipping on warm drinks throughout your day, and you are looking for a delicious alternative to regular hot chocolate, this classic hot chocolate is a must-try.
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Health Benefits Of Chocolate
The health benefits of chocolate primarily come from dark chocolate, not milk or white chocolate, unfortunately.
Dark chocolate contains 50-90% cocoa solids as compared to milk chocolate which only contains 10-50%. And it is in the cocoa solids where we find the health benefits.
Dark chocolate is a great source of iron, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, and flavonols. Flavonols are a plant chemical that research shows may help to protect the heart, and dark chocolate has 2-3 times more flavanol-rich cocoa solids than milk chocolate (1).
Chocolate of any kind is high in calories and can contribute to weight gain. Chocolate also contains saturated fat which can increase your cholesterol levels, so be careful not to eat too much in order to gain the greatest benefits.
Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Drink Ingredients
Organic unsweetened soy milk: Soy milk is a rich, creamy, and delicious dairy-free milk. Plus it has some wonderful health benefits, high in B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, iron, and fiber. Research also shows soy products may reduce the risk of breast cancer and other hormone-related cancers (2).
Organic unsweetened cocoa powder: Natural cocoa powder is a wonderful health food because of its antioxidant properties. Helping to protect our mental health, and mood, and helps to reduce inflammation among other things (3).
Organic date sugar: Using date sugar instead of regular cane sugar is a wonderful way to get the sweetness without all the damaging effects of processed sugar. Dates and pure date sugar contain fiber and antioxidants and they are also considered a low glycemic food so they help keep your blood sugar in line (4).
Cinnamon stick: Cinnamon is awesome for flavoring but it also has some incredible health benefits. It is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, it helps protect against diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and even cancer (5).
My favorite additions to this hot chocolate recipe
Although this delicious dairy-free hot chocolate drink is just perfect as it is, here are some fun extras you can add to your decadent hot chocolate if you wish.
- vegan marshmallows
- peanut butter – approximately 1 teaspoon
- peppermint extract – approximately 1/4 teaspoon
- a pinch of salt – some people like just a hint of that sweet/salty taste
- dairy-free chocolate chips
- a candy cane to each hot chocolate mug – not only does this taste delicious but it looks so festive during the Christmas holiday season.
Kitchen Tools To Consider
small saucepan – these are my favorite pans by far, and this little guy is the perfect size to make dairy-free hot chocolate – a 1.75 qt saucepan.
small whisk – these whisks come in handy, and I particularly like that they are safely coated so they won’t scratch your non-toxic ceramic-coated pans.
measuring spoons – a must in every kitchen.
measuring cups – another staple in your kitchen.
2 small mugs – or one big mug – go grab your favorite coffee cup and enjoy!
Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Drink Recipe Step-By-Step Instructions
Add the plant-based milk to the small saucepan and set the pan on the stove on a low-medium heat.
Add the unsweetened cocoa powder, date sugar, and cinnamon stick. Continue to whisk until all of the clumps are dissolved. Stir continuously to prevent the milk from burning.
Once the hot chocolate starts to steam, turn the stove to low heat, and continue to stir for several more minutes until hot.
Remove the hot chocolate from the stove and pour into 2 mugs.
Add optional ingredients like marshmallows and a cinnamon stick.
ENJOY!
Tips For Success
Feel free to use other plant-based non-dairy milk instead of soy milk, such as oat milk, unsweetened almond milk, cashew milk, etc.
NOTE: I do not like to use coconut milk due to its high saturated fat content. This includes full-fat coconut milk, lite coconut milk, or coconut milk powder.
Instead of date sugar, you can use other sweeteners, such as pure maple syrup, or honey.
NOTE: Personally, I do not use coconut sugar.
Although not as healthy, you could also use organic cane sugar.
Make sure to stir the milk continuously while it is on the stove to prevent it from burning.
A whisk works well to dissolve the clumps of cocoa and date sugar but you could also use a wooden spoon instead.
I did not add it to this healthy hot chocolate recipe, however, feel free to add 1/4 tsp of pure vanilla extract if you wish.
Hot To Store
This hot cocoa recipe makes just two servings so the chances that there will be any leftovers are slim, but…
That said, if you do have any leftovers, for best results store your hot liquids in a glass jar or an airtight container for freshness.
More Vegan Drink Recipes
Here are more healthy vegan drink options for you to consider.
More healthy recipes and caregiver support
Let’s Connect
I hope you try this Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Drink Recipe, and I hope you like it so much that you share it with your friends and family too.
Please consider giving this hot chocolate drink recipe 5 stars and comment below. I would love to hear from you.
Reference
- https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/dark-chocolate/
- https://www.pcrm.org/good-nutrition/nutrition-information/soy-and-health
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24100674/
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-dates
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003790/
Printable recipe card for you to enjoy
Dairy Free Hot Chocolate Drink Recipe: Easy & Healthy
Equipment
- small saucepan
- small whisk
- 2 small mugs or teacups – or one big mug
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups organic unsweetened soy milk
- 2 tbsp organic unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1-1 1/2 tbsp organic date sugar
- 1 small cinnamon stick
Instructions
- Add the plant-based milk to the small saucepan and set the pan on the stove on a low-medium heat.
- Add the unsweetened cocoa powder, date sugar, and cinnamon stick. Continue to whisk until all of the clumps are dissolved. Stir continuously to prevent the milk from burning.
- Once the hot chocolate starts to steam, turn the stove to low heat, and continue to stir for several more minutes until hot.
- Remove the hot chocolate from the stove and pour into 2 mugs.
- Add optional ingredients like marshmallows and a cinnamon stick.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Feel free to use other plant-based non-dairy milk instead of soy milk, such as oat milk, unsweetened almond milk, cashew milk, etc.
- NOTE: I do not like to use coconut milk due to its high saturated fat content. This includes full-fat coconut milk, lite coconut milk, or coconut milk powder.
- Instead of date sugar, you can use other sweeteners, such as pure maple syrup, or honey.
- NOTE: Personally, I do not use coconut sugar.
- Although not as healthy, you could also use organic cane sugar.
- Make sure to stir the milk continuously while it is on the stove to prevent it from burning.
- A whisk works well to dissolve the clumps of cocoa and date sugar but you could also use a wooden spoon instead.
- I did not add it to this healthy hot chocolate recipe, however, feel free to add 1/4 tsp of pure vanilla extract if you wish.
- Here are some extra add-ons to consider for your decadent hot chocolate.
- vegan marshmallows
- peanut butter – approximately 1 teaspoon
- peppermint extract – approximately 1/4 teaspoon
- a pinch of salt – some people like just a hint of that sweet/salty taste
- dairy-free chocolate chips
- a candy cane to each hot chocolate mug – not only does this taste delicious but it looks so festive during the Christmas holiday season.
