It’s not officially the holiday season, Christmas, or winter until the hot cocoa is made. If you are looking for some fun new recipes, this is the place to be! We’ve got 20 dairy free and vegan hot chocolate recipes. Which one is the best? All of them!
Chocolate is my love language.
Chocolate is my only language.
When I was in college, I worked at Hersheypark and did my Internship at the Reese’s plant where they make Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Kit Kats. At the time, we were allowed to eat the candy bars right off the assembly line. It was the best job for a college student. I know, right?!?!?
Fast forward, when I traveled to Brugge, Belgium in 2005, I ate the best chocolate of my life. THE BEST, I’m telling you! The taste of Belgium chocolate (chocolade = sho-co-laad-eh) is seared into my memory forever. It was that good!
As a responsible adult who tries to eat healthy, chocolate is still my jam. And when the cold winter months come, there is nothing better than sitting by the fire and drinking a cup of hot chocolate. Legit. I will drag my laptop downstairs to the couch, turn on the gas fireplace, and enjoy a cozy afternoon at work. And no, I’m not going to confess how many cups of hot cocoa I drank while writing this article. Some secrets shall remain secret.
Healthy hot chocolate recipes? Ummm…
You might be thinking… why 20 recipes? Isn’t hot chocolate all the same? Like… cocoa powder, dairy free milk, and a thickener? I was surprised as well to learn how many fun and unique recipes are out there!
All bets are off with these recipes.
Some are made with sugar. Some have marshmallows, whipped cream, or some kind of yummy topping. Some are Keto. Some are Paleo. Some can be made as presents. One is made with Gelt. And one even comes with a morning moose sighting. The only qualification is that they are dairy free and vegan. Well, gluten free of course and that is a given. Who would use any kind of gluten product to make hot chocolate?
Anyhoo.
All of them are going to be fun to make and enjoy.
The Difference Between Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa
The terms are used interchangeably. And does anyone really care? Are you even reading this section or is it a quick scroll until you get to the recipes? Well, if you wish to know, hot chocolate is chopped and melted chocolate combined with water or milk. It’s not as sweet as hot cocoa, but it’s more decadent. Hot cocoa is what you traditionally think of as hot chocolate which is cocoa (or cacao) powder, sugar, and milk.
Despite the fact that we ALL probably use the terms incorrectly, does anyone really care?
Bueller? Bueller?
Shut up Holly, and let’s get to the recipes!
As you wish…
Dairy Free and Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipes
An interesting note as I was looking through all of these recipes… every single one claimed that theirs was the best hot chocolate ever. And you know what – they are right!
Thick and Creamy Paleo Hot Chocolate by Pink Fortitude
Keto Hot Chocolate by Sweet as Honey
Protein Hot Chocolate by The Conscious Plant Kitchen
Peppermint Hot Chocolate by Delightful Adventures
Pink Hot Chocolate by Pink Fortitude
Hot Chocolate on a Stick by Vegan Huggs
Shop the Hot Cocoa Sign – Sweet Water Decor
Hot Chocolate by Nuts and Pumpkin
Chanukah Gelt Hot Chocolate by Family Friends Food
Pumpkin Hot Chocolate by Moon and Spoon and Yum
Hot Chocolate by Rhian’s Recipes
Peppermint Hot Cocoa by Allergy Free Alaska
Hot Cocoa with Peppermint Marshmallows by Cook at Home Mom
Hormone Balancing Hot Chocolate with Maca and Cinnamon
Imagine… celebrating the beauty of the season with this FREE Advent Calendar Printable and Bible verses! Click below…
Peppermint Hot Chocolate (Paleo + Keto) by Cook Eat Well
Hot Cacao with Cardamom and Tahini by Moon and Spoon and Yum
Paleo Hot Chocolate by Texanerin Baking
Shop the Mug Collection – Sweet Water Decor
Cinnamon Hot Chocolate with Oat Milk by Bree’s Vegan Life
Creamy Hot Chocolate (Paleo) by Eat with Clarity
Healthy Hot Chocolate by This Healthy Kitchen
Recipe Resources
Ingredients
Organic ingredients from Thrive Market
Other Resources
Hot Cocoa Mugs and Signs by Sweet Water Decor
Bonus – Rustic and Festive Hot Chocolate Station
And what good is hot chocolate without a super fun hot chocolate station?
Rustic and Festive Hot Chocolate Station by Pink Fortitude
Which one are you going to try first? If your answer is, “all of them,” you are my new best friend.
Are you Inspired?
Love, hugs, and pouring another cup.
FTC requirement:
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