Healthy Vegan Hot Chocolate 3-Ways

You can't have the holidays without hot chocolate, now can you? That's why I have veganized & healthified hot chocolate this season :) say goodbye to all the processed sugar, fillers, and overly refined cocoa. All of these recipes are made in under 5 minutes, free of refined oils & sugar, and use simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry! Make these all winter long to help warm the body & soul, sounds deep but trust me it's true :) Hot chocolate essentials below!! Recipe video at the bottom of this post!

Salted Caramel 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened nondairy milk (almond milk is my favorite)

• 2 tbs cacao (roasted or raw)

• 1 tbs maple syrup

• 1-2 tbs Healthy Vegan Caramel Sauce

• 1-2 pinches of sea salt

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, heat the milk for 1-2 minutes

2. Add in the remaining ingredients and whisk

3. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes

4. Pour into your favorite festive mug

5. Top with some Homemade Coconut Whip and a little drizzle of caramel

Gingerbread

Ingredients:

• I cup unsweetened nondairy milk (almond milk is my favorite)

• 2 tbs cacao powder (roasted or raw)

• 2-3 tbs maple syrup

• 1 tbs molasses

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/2 tsp ground ginger

• 1/8 tsp nutmeg

• pinch of salt

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, heat the milk for 1-2 minutes

2. Add in the remaining ingredients and whisk

3. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes

4. Pour into your favorite festive mug

5. Top with some Homemade Coconut Whip and a little sprinkle of cinnamon

Peppermint

Ingredients:

• 1 cup unsweetened nondairy milk (almond milk is my favorite)

• 2 tbs cacao powder (roasted or raw)

• 2-3 tbs maple syrup

• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, heat the milk for 1-2 minutes

2. Add in the remaining ingredients and whisk

3. Let simmer for 1-2 minutes

4. Pour into your favorite festive mug

5. Top with some Dandies Vegan Marshmallows & serve!

The Essentials:

First things first, you need a Festive Mug. Period. End of story. Hot cocoa always tastes better when it's in a mug with cute animals on it, a dreidel, Santa, reindeer, elves, etc. 

Then you are probably going to want some sort of creamy whipped topping. I LOVE Trader Joe's new Vegan Coconut Whipped Cream in a can. It's amazing! But if you are feeling like an extra special treat, make this...

Homemade Coconut Whip

Ingredients:

• 1 can Coconut Cream

• 1/3 cup cane sugar or powdered cane sugar for a smoother texture

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• pinch of salt

Directions:

1. In a medium to small bowl or in the bowl of a stand mixer, add all of the ingredients & start to whip on medium speed

2. Once it had come together, up the speed and mix for at least 5 minutes

3. It should get noticeably thicker & fluffier

4. Serve on one of these Hot Chocolate recipes, pumpkin pie, a chocolate tart, etc. The list is endless

You can of course make some Healthy Vegan Caramel Sauce to top your masterpiece with. I personally love the addition

AND FINALLY...

You will need some vegan marshmallows. I like Dandies mini marshmallows but Trader Joe's also makes some great ones too!