Growing up, having hot chocolate made from a packet was the normal way to have it.
Let’s be real, it was convenient as heck.
However, I never second-guessed it and never realized how easy it was to actually make it from scratch. But you know, these were the times of frozen dinners and SPAM.
We didn’t second guess anything. We just knew what tasted good – and that was usually a mix of salt, sugar, and nothing green.
Here I am, decades later, having food and drinks made from scratch. Who woulda thunk it?
There’s no need for the pre-made stuff when it only takes just a handful of plant-based ingredients. I also added a pinch of cinnamon, because you know, cinnamon is like the butter of savory. It just works on almost everything sweet.
Bring out those pantry items, we’re about to have a cheap and no-frills cup of hot chocolate.
Homemade Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cup cashew milk (or vegan milk of choice)
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 1 1/2 tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- In a small pot, heat the vegan, dairy-free milk over medium-high heat until it simmers.
- Once at a simmer, add the cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla, and ground cinnamon.
- Stir well and simmer for 1-2 minutes, or until hot. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use whatever dairy-free, vegan milk tickles your pickle. I had cashew milk. Not for any particular reason other than I got it for a deal.
- The cinnamon is totally optional, but I recommend it. You can even be fancy and throw in a couple of cinnamon sticks to your drink.
- Personally, the amount of sugar in this recipe is perfect. But if you’re into a sugar rush, just add more. Or add less. That’s up to you and your tastebuds.
- Additionally, if you don’t have vanilla, it’s okay to skip it. The more important ingredients include vegan milk, cocoa powder, and sugar. Everything else is optional.
Need more warm dish ideas? Check out these recipes:
Butter “Chicken” With Tofu Recipe
Easy Lentil Soup With Kale And Rice
Did you try out this Homemade Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Recipe?
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I love that you’ve made this hot cocoa dairy free with cashew milk. I have guests coming in this year who can’t have dairy so it’s right on time!
It’s so good with cashew milk, but it can definitely work with other vegan milks, too. I am going to try out coconut milk too – since it’s creamier. Yum!
This looks simple, affordable, delicious and right on time for this cold weather!
Yessss it’s perfect for the fall season! Enjoy!
I love that this is dairy free. I have a friend who is lactose intolerant. I will send this to her.
Hope she loves it! Works with any vegan milk. Probably even better with something thick like coconut milk.
I love a good homemade hot chocolate recipe! So much better than the packaged stuff. Can’t wait to try!
Oh yeah, for sure! And so easy to make. 🙂
Love that this is dairy free! #teamlactoseintolerant Wonder if this would be good with coconut milk. Do you know?
I think it would be! I am planning on trying out this recipe with coconut milk once i get my hands on it. Might be really nice and creamy, which is perfect for hot chocolate.
This Hot Chocolate looks great! Just in time for the Holidays ahead. I love that this is Dairy-Free!
I love hot chocolate and would love to try your recipe!!!
Please do!!!
I have been thinking about giving up dairy, at least for a little while. I need to give cashew milk a try. This sounds really good.
I love vegan hot chocolate but haven’t tried it with cashew milk yet. Thanks for the inspo!
My favorite part about this recipe is that it does not skimp on the flavor at all! Even without the dairy, it’s still rich and creamy.
We have a number of lactose intolerant people in my family so I’m saving this recipe for the holidays!! Thank you!