This healthy hot chocolate recipe is the perfect cold weather treat! It's totally vegan and dairy-free, but it's still rich, chocolatey, and delicious.
Lately, Jack and I have been guzzling mugs of this healthy hot chocolate for breakfast. If you’re thinking, “Hot chocolate for breakfast?!”, you have to hear me out. This healthy hot chocolate recipe is a far cry from the Swiss Miss hot cocoa I drank as a kid. It’s naturally sweetened, and nutrient-rich cacao powder takes the place of processed cocoa. Plus, I make it with almond milk, so it’s totally vegan and dairy-free. Fair game for breakfast? 100% yes.
Now, if you think “healthy” is code for “watery” or “bland,” think again. This healthier hot chocolate is rich, creamy, and comforting. For me, it’s an energizing way to start the day, and it’s so delicious that I’m always excited to jump out of bed to make it. Of course, it’s also a great dessert or afternoon treat. Enjoy it on its own, or pair it with a cookie or any baked good you like.
Healthy Hot Chocolate Recipe Ingredients
You only need a few ingredients to make this healthy hot chocolate recipe:
- Raw cacao powder – The most pure form of chocolate, cacao is packed with antioxidants, fiber, and magnesium. It makes this recipe rich and chocolatey, but good for you, too!
- Maca powder – Its malty flavor adds depth to this homemade hot chocolate. But that’s not all! It has health benefits too. It’s chock-full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and it’s said to improve your memory.*
- Almond milk – I use almond milk because it’s what I keep on hand, but feel free to substitute any type of milk you like. Cow’s milk, coconut milk, or my homemade oat milk would also work here.
- Maple syrup – It sweetens this healthy hot chocolate naturally. Plus, I love the maple flavor with the malty maca and rich cacao.
- Coconut oil – For richness and healthy fats! Don’t worry – this nourishing treat is still far lighter than hot chocolate made with whole milk and/or heavy cream.
- Cinnamon – It adds warm depth of flavor. If you like your hot chocolate with a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne as well.
- And a little bit of salt – Don’t skip it! It makes all these delicious flavors pop.
Combine these ingredients in a blender, or whisk them together by hand. Then, transfer the chocolate mixture to a small saucepan and warm it over medium heat. Taste and adjust the healthy hot chocolate. You’ll know it’s right when you can’t stop tasting spoonful after spoonful. Pour it into mugs, top it with coconut whipped cream and shaved dark chocolate, and enjoy!
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
More Favorite Winter Treats
This healthy hot chocolate is delicious on its own, but it’s also fantastic paired with these other cozy treats:
- Easy Sugar Cookies
- Vegan Sugar Cookies
- Best Peanut Butter Cookies
- Lemon Cookies
- Vegan Gingerbread Cookies
- Coconut Macaroons
- Lemon Shortbread Cookies
- Homemade Cinnamon Rolls
Healthy Hot Chocolate
- 2½ cups unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder (I use Nativas Naturals)
- 1 tablespoon maca powder (I use Essential Living Foods)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup, or to taste
- ½ teaspoon coconut oil
- Pinch of cinnamon
- Tiny pinch of sea salt
- Coconut whip** (see homemade instructions below)
- Shaved dark chocolate
- In a blender, mix the almond milk, cacao powder, maca, maple syrup, coconut oil, cinnamon and salt. (You can also whisk this together by hand). Transfer to a small saucepan and warm over medium heat. Taste and adjust the sweetness if desired. If it's too thick, add a little more almond milk.
- Serve with coconut whip and shaved dark chocolate, both optional.
solids from 1 (14-ounce) can full-fat coconut milk, refrigerated overnight
â…“ cup powdered sugar
Few drops of vanilla extract
Make the coconut whip by combining the ingredients in a mixer and mix until whipped and fluffy. Note: some cans of coconut milk are duds - meaning that the solids and the water do not separate and the whip cream will not whip. I've had the best luck using Whole Foods 365 brand full-fat canned coconut milk.
*I’m not a nutritionist, but you can google to read about the benefits of cacao and maca. Most sites list these same attributes.
Any chance I could warm this in the microwave instead of on the stovetop?
After looking at the ingredient list on my regular hot chocolate powder container…I was pretty horrified! So I began to surf the net to see what the alternatives were and I came across this amazing blog and recipe. I was a little hesitant as I had never made a hot chocolate from scratch before however took a leap of faith with this recipe…. and boy am I glad I did! It was so delicious and it surprisingly tasted so much better than the regular stuff I use out of the container. This recipe is definitely a keeper for sure. Thank you so much for sharing, you have your newest home made hot chocolate milk convert here!!!
Hi Vanessa – welcome! I’m so glad you liked the healthier hot chocolate 🙂
So yummy! I don’t have the best blender though and found that the coconut oil didn’t liquidise enough and left little lumps, errrgh! If you have a cheap blender or are doing this by hand, maybe leave out the coconut oil…
Thanks for the recipe!
How long should u leaveon the heat for? 🙂
Just until it’s as hot as you would like to drink it – a few minutes, depending how quick your stove heats up.
Do I have to use almond milk or will regular full fat milk be acceptable? This is just what I have on hand right now. Thanks!
You can use any milk!
Use fresh Nigerian Dwarf goat milk 🙂 Rich, creamy and super healthy 🙂
I made this recipe 3 times now and it is my absolute favorite! It is not too sweet, not too rich but still very tasty. Thanks!
Hi Cecilia, I’m so happy to hear!
This looks amazing! Where did you get that sauce pan? So adorable.
This sounds amazing!
Can I ask where your lovely white pot is from?
Oh man!!! There is a hot chocolate chain in Seattle that makes something that this reminds me of!! Its my favorite one they make!! So of course making it at home would be especially fabulous!
So excited to try this…I have been searching for a recipe to use my cacao powder in, it’s so delicious!
I hope you enjoy 🙂
This was so good i made it last night, used soy milk instead almond milk and also added some shaved dark chocolate on the top, it was delicious
Thanks for posting!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Great recipe,
It looks amazing and so easy to make.
I am going to make it tomorrow.
I think it will be delicious.
Thank You!
This sounds fabulous, I love the idea of the coconut whip!
It will be perfect for winter!
Perfect looking hot chocolate. Love that you added maca and cinnamon…two of my favorite add-ins as well. Will be making this soon!
So yummy! I will try to find maca powder next time i shop. Os there anyore maca recipies?
‘ve found organic maca powder at Trader Joes and most health food stores carry it as well (Natural Grocers, Whole Foods)
These looks like such a luxurious hot chocolate! I’m definitely going to be making this on a cold Sunday like today!
Oooooooh and add a dash of chipotle or cayenne and maybe the tiniest smidge of orange zest….. I am ON IT!!!!
It definitely feels like December where I am!! (Canada, haha)
This looks fanastic, will definitely be trying it out soon 🙂
This sounds and looks SENSATIONAL!