Creamy coconut milk makes this easy vegan hot chocolate even better than the packaged stuff. Best of all, it’s ready in just 5 minutes!
I wasn’t really sure if we had bypassed hot chocolate season, or if it still felt like an all around winter drink. I feel like hot chocolate goes all gang busters around Christmas, but then it gets neglected right away after all the lights and decorations are long gone. Me? I’ll drink vegan hot chocolate anytime during the cooler months, especially if it isn’t the powdered stuff.
Honestly, I used to LOVE the hot chocolate with the tiny marshmallows in the package. We didn’t get it all the time, but when we did, it was the hot chocolate I always made a beeline for. Not only are you drinking a mug of piping hot melted chocolate (ok chocolate powder thing), but there were also a mess of cute little marshmallows floating around and getting all melty at the same time. Who can beat that?
Now that I know how easy it is make homemade vegan hot chocolate, I will abandon the packaged stuff for the cup of real deal chocolate anyday! Ever since I got this baby, which is now my favorite kitchen appliance, I can’t stop finding recipes to use it for, including this hot chocolate. If you don’t have a Vitamix, this is just as easy to make on the stovetop and takes just as long.
My favorite vegan chocolate to use in this recipe is the big bar of dark chocolate from Trader Joe’s, which ends up being pretty good quality and fairly cheap (although we burn through them like nobody’s business around here). Since I made mine in the blender I added a handful of shredded coconut to the hot chocolate itself, but feel free to leave that out if you are cooking on the stovetop. Also, word to the wise, this is just as good piping hot and after it’s chilled in the freezer for a bit, so either way, this dessert-y drink is perfect!
How to make vegan hot chocolate
Because this coconut vegan hot chocolate uses so few ingredients, it’s important that you buy the best quality that you can. For this coconut hot chocolate recipe, I used light coconut milk (make sure your coconut milk is free of weird additives and thickeners!), real chocolate, and pure vanilla extract. That’s it!
To make vegan hot chocolate, simply combine all the ingredients in a small saucepan and warm until the chocolate is fully melted. Feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate like white chocolate or flavored chocolate bars. You can also use different non-dairy milks for this vegan hot chocolate recipe, but I personally love the flavor of chocolate and coconut. Although now that I’m thinking about it, a vegan hot chocolate made with almond milk and a tiny bit of peanut butter would make for a heavenly Reese’s-like drink…
If you want to be extra cute, you can keep this vegan hot chocolate warming in a slow cooker whenever you have guests over. Put some shredded coconut in a bowl next to the mugs and let guests serve themselves. (Bonus points if you’ve whipped up a batch of vegan marshmallows to go with your cocoa!).
More vegan drink recipes on Heart of a Baker:
- Peppermint Vanilla Vegan Coffee Creamer
- Ginger Pomegranate Spritzer
- Creamy Vegan Nutella Latte
- Bourbon Vegan Apple Pie Milkshake
- Apple Cider Hot Toddy + Brown Sugar Caramel Spoons
Coconutty Vegan Hot Chocolate
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
Creamy coconut milk makes this easy vegan hot chocolate even better than the packaged stuff. Best of all, it’s ready in just 5 minutes!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups light coconut milk
- 1 cup chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate (I’ve made it both ways)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut (for garnish)
Instructions
- To make on the stovetop: Combine all the ingredients, except for the shredded coconut, and cook on medium heat until chocolate pieces are completely melted. Pour into mugs and garnish with shredded coconut.
- To make in a high-powered blender: Combine all ingredients, except for the shredded coconut and blend on high until hot and mixture is completely blended. Garnish with shredded coconut.
Notes
Recipe adapted from Nutmeg Nanny
Keywords: vegan hot chocolate, coconut hot chocolate
Sarah | Broma Bakery says
I got a Vitamix as a gift a few years ago. It’s pretty much the best kitchen appliance you can imagine. I love how it frothed your cocoa– it’s like vegan chocolate whipped cream!
The Frosted Vegan says
It really is the BEST, right?! That’s all the Vitamix right there, so easy and fast!
Cadry's Kitchen (@Cadryskitchen) says
I need to pick up some coconut milk. This sounds so delicious, and I love the ease of just putting everything into the Vitamix.
The Frosted Vegan says
I used to not keep it on hand, but now that I know I can make this is 5 minutes, I’ll always have it in my cupboards : )
Jerry says
Does the coconut milk add a strong coconut flavor?
The Frosted Vegan says
Hi Jerry, I don’t think it does, but I also love coconut! It is more of a slight hint of coconut flavor.
Julia says
I’m looking at my mug of coffee wishing it was a mug of this delicious hot chocolate. I love that you used legit chocolate for the recipe, and coconut milk? Sign.me.right.up!!! I’ll drink this thang all winter/summer long!!
The Frosted Vegan says
Legit chocolate. All the way!
Alisa @ Go Dairy Free says
I’ve surprisingly met a lot of people who like more watery hot chocolate, but I prefer rich ones like this – especially with the coconut milk!
The Frosted Vegan says
Oh man, I just can’t do watery hot chocolate! I agree Alisa, rich and creamy is the way to go!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
Okay, that’s it. I need some coconut milk and stat to make this. Looks amazing!
Cookin Canuck says
Hot chocolate is definitely a year-round thing, particularly when it involves coconut. Yum!
The Frosted Vegan says
Glad we agree Dara!
LaurenKellyNutrition says
I love this so much! I need it to warm me up!
The Frosted Vegan says
This will do the trick! 🙂
Gina says
Heck no, hot chocolate season has definitely not passed! Not when it’s -1 when you wake up in the morning at least 🙂
The Frosted Vegan says
Same here! I’m thinking a frozen version would be perfect for the summer months 🙂
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
Yum! Coconut and chocolate is always such a winning combination 🙂
The Frosted Vegan says
Right? I know there are coconut haters out there, but I don’t see why!
Sylvie | Gourmande in the Kitchen says
Wish I had a warm mug of this in front of me now!
The Frosted Vegan says
It is so perfect!
anna@icyvioletskitchen says
oooo hot chocolate with coconut milk?? you don’t have to be vegan for that to sound amazing! will have to try this soon.
The Frosted Vegan says
Agreed! Vegan or not, this is amazing!
Kathryn says
Hot chocolate is definitely not just a Christmas drink in my book. I don’t drink tea/coffee so it is my hot drink of choice when I need something warm and indulgent. I love the idea of using coconut milk – so rich + creamy!
The Frosted Vegan says
Same here! Ok glad I’m not alone in loving hot chocolate ALL the time!
MyMansBelly says
Never thought of topping my hot chocolate with coconut, but it sounds really good.
The Frosted Vegan says
It is SO good!