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You are here: Home / Dessert / Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate (Paleo & Vegan)

Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate (Paleo & Vegan)

Last updated on September 2, 2020. Originally published November 28, 2016 61 Comments

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Ultra thick & creamy Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate recipe for serious chocolate lovers. Made from scratch & ready in 15 minutes! This is the BEST Paleo and vegan hot chocolate you will ever drink!

Front view of a mug of Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate with toasted marshmallows

The temperatures are dropping, snow is falling, and Thanksgiving has come and gone…which can only mean one thing…Christmas season is HERE! There are so many wonderful things about this time of the year, the lights, the smells, the love in in the air. I just adore it!

And absolutely nothing beats coming inside after playing in the snow, curling up with a blanket and a warm cup of cocoa (like this peanut butter hot chocolate) and watching a Christmas movie! This Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate is no joke. Only serious chocolate lovers should keep reading this post, because it truly is a chocolatey dream come true.

Ultra-rich, insanely thick, and so creamy you won’t believe it. Plus, this dreamy drink is vegan and paleo-friendly! So even my dairy-avoiding friends can enjoy the goodness of the holiday season! Make a batch of these homemade marshmallows {which are also paleo} and you will be in serious hot-chocolate heaven!

Front view of Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate being poured into a mug

How to make Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

Quick and easy! 

This vegan hot chocolate is made on the stovetop in 15 minutes flat! After an afternoon of building snowmen, you can have a batch ready to go before your kids get all of their snow gear off! πŸ˜‰ Add some toasted marshmallows and and cozy up with a warm mug of cocoa bliss.

Let it sit. 

The longer this paleo hot chocolate sits, the more it will thicken up! I have forgotten about it and it’s transformed into more of a super thick drinking chocolate than hot cocoa! If this happens, simply reheat it and add a splash of non-dairy milk if necessary!

Makes four servings.

 This recipe makes enough dairy-free hot chocolate for up to four people because it’s super rich. I make a batch for my family and all four of us (because Naomi is a bit too little to drink hot chocolate) have plenty to enjoy!

Overhead view of Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate in a mug with toasted marshmallows

Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate: Substitutions

As written, this Paleo hot chocolate recipe results in an extra-dark hot cocoa. There are a few substitutions you can make to adjust the sweetness and chocolate intensity to cater to your family’s tastes!

  • Full-fat coconut milk. You can substitute regular whole milk if you do not need a dairy-free option. I do not recommend using almond milk because it is much less creamy than coconut milk. The creamier the milk you choose, the better your vegan hot chocolate will be. If you’re looking for a lower calorie version, I have had great success with Silk’s almond/coconut blend!
  • Chopped Chocolate. Any chocolate will do here (chips or a chopped bar), of any cocoa content. I use 70% dark chocolate because to me, darker is better! However my husband and kids prefer when I use milk chocolate. No matter how what you use you really can’t go wrong as long as you choose a high-quality chocolate! To make this totally refined sugar free, choose an unsweetened chocolate variety and then increase the amount of coconut sugar by 1 TBS!
  • Granulated sugar. The amount and type of sugar used in this recipe can be adjusted to your liking. I use 3 TBS of regular granulated sugar, which produces a super-dark dairy-free hot chocolate. If you want it sweeter use 4 TBS. If you are looking for a paleo version use coconut sugar!
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder.  The only adjustment to make here is the amount. I use a full 1 TBS of cocoa powder to make a super dark, rich dairy-free hot cocoa! You can adjust the amount to your tastes!

Up close side view of dairy-free hot chocolate in a mug with toasted marshmallows

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Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate (Paleo & Vegan)

Laura
Ultra thick & creamy Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate recipe for serious chocolate lovers. Made from scratch & ready in 15 minutes! This is the BEST Paleo and vegan hot chocolate you will ever drink!
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Resting time 10 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Course Dessert, Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 4 Servings (about 1/2 cup each)
Calories 220.5 kcal

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 15 oz can full-fat coconut milk
  • 3 oz 6 TBS bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate
  • 3-4 TBS granulated sugar or coconut sugar
  • 1/8 tsp sea salt
  • Β½ to 1 TBS unsweetened cocoa powder**
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Add coconut milk and chocolate to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted.
  • Add sugar, salt and cocoa powder and whisk until completely combined.
  • Stir in vanilla.
  • Cover and cook on low heat for about 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove from heat and let cocoa sit (covered) for 5 minutes before serving to thicken.

Notes

*If you like sweeter hot cocoa, use 4 TBS of sugar. Use coconut sugar for a paleo option.
*If you like sweeter hot cocoa, use Β½ TBS cocoa powder.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cupCalories: 220.5kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 1.2gFat: 13.6gSaturated Fat: 9.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2.2gSodium: 66.3mgPotassium: 100mgFiber: 1.7gSugar: 22.5gCalcium: 44mgIron: 0.9mg
Keyword dairy-free hot chocolate, paleo hot chocolate, vegan hot chocolate
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Overhead side view of a mug of Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate recipe with marshmallows

I absolutely love December. I am so excited to enjoy all the fun festivities this time of year brings! Everyone needs a stellar hot chocolate recipe in their arsenal…and this one is IT! So easily adaptable to fit any dietary need or taste, ready in minutes and super delicious!

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase a product through a link you clicked on here, I receive a portion of the sale. Thank you for supporting JoyFoodSunshine!

You might also like:

Collagen Matcha Latte (Dairy-free & Paleo)
Chicken Sausage and Peppers Recipe
Dairy-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie

Filed Under: Dessert, Gluten-Free, Healthier Desserts, Homemade Holidays, Paleo, Vegan Tagged With: chocolate, christmas, drinks

Did you make this recipe?

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Previous Post: « Thankful. 2016
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carly

    December 15, 2020 at 6:42 pm

    5 stars
    Best hot chocolate that I have ever had!

    Reply
  2. Danielle Bowcut

    November 30, 2018 at 11:44 pm

    5 stars
    Hot chocolate is one of my favorite comfort foods. I have tried countless GF & DF recipes but they all left me disappointed UNTIL NOW! Dreams do come true and yes β€” they can be DF AND GF!! Thanks for this delicious recipe!

    Reply
    • Laura

      December 1, 2018 at 7:21 am

      LOL Danielle I’m SO glad you enjoyed this recipe! You must have my taste in chocolate treats…bold, rich and dark! πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  3. laura

    February 9, 2018 at 10:20 am

    5 stars
    Ok Laura, you’ve done it AGAIN! This is fantastic and so super creamy! We used nearly 1/4 cup of coconut sugar and it was a touch sweet for me, but most definitely not for the littles. My 2 year old son with a dairy allergy just downed half the batch after playing in the snow! You should see the sweet mess all over his little face right now…. squeal. This hot cocoa is the lightly charred marshmallow on top of a perfect Chicago snow day! Thank you!

    Reply
    • Laura

      February 13, 2018 at 2:33 pm

      Thank you Laura! This is one of my favorite recipes ever!

      Reply
  4. carissa

    December 13, 2017 at 8:39 pm

    can’t wait to try this – thank you! question: what brand of chocolate and cocoa powder would you recommend?

    Reply
  5. Meg @ With Salt and Wit

    December 10, 2016 at 4:57 pm

    I LOVE a couple things about this recipes! I love that it is dairy free but what I love most is the toasted marshmallows! Your picture is to perfection!

    Reply
    • Laura

      December 12, 2016 at 2:56 pm

      Thank you Meg!

      Reply
  6. Casey

    December 8, 2016 at 7:21 pm

    Looks delicious!! And also I just have to mention how beautiful that cup and saucer are!! Xox.

    Reply
    • Laura

      December 12, 2016 at 2:51 pm

      Thank you Case! Home Goods is my happy place… πŸ˜‰

      Reply
  7. Jen

    December 2, 2016 at 5:10 pm

    This recipe is so simple and it looks amazing! Those marshmallows!

    Reply
    • Laura

      December 6, 2016 at 8:55 am

      Than you Jen! <3

      Reply
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Hello I’m Laura! I am a former chemistry teacher turned wife and mom of five beautiful babies with one on the way in 2021! I’m a green smoothie addict, lover of the outdoors, and a peanut butter & nap enthusiast! Click here to read more >>

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