A creamy, cozy blender-made mug-full of healthy vegan hot chocolate that is extra rich extra sweet thanks to a special caramel candy-like fruit addition!
Sometimes it feels like December is really just code for Make All The Cookies Month. But lately it seems hot chocolate recipes have been popping up at almost the same crazy-fast rate as cookies!
I’ve seen spiced and espresso-spiked recipes, frozen and fruity recipes, superfood-infused and marshmallow-filled recipes. I’ve seen mugs doubling as snowman hot tubs and cozy homes for cookie people. I’ve even seen a few unexpected additions like peanut butter or pumpkin or protein or peppermint. The food blogger world is nothing if not incredibly hot cocoa creative!
But all of them have been missing one particular ingredient that is practically essential for MY perfect cup of hot chocolate. And if you have been a reader here for a while you probably already know what I am talking about. Dates. I may be a bit fruity biased and feel that dates are a much needed addition to lots of things, but they were practically made for hot chocolate. Blending a few dates into a creamy, cozy, warm cocoa mix makes it extra thick, extra creamy, and extra sweet. Extra all the things hot chocolate should be!
Besides dates, chocolate is obviously a must. I opted for cacao powder over cocoa powder as I do in most recipes because of the naturally sweeter flavor. I guess that means it can’t technically be called “hot cocoa” anymore, but I’ve never been one to call this warm chocolate beverage hot cocoa anyways it’s always hot chocolate to me. Hot cocoa or hot chocolate, what do you call it? Cocoa powder is fine too of course, whatever you have/prefer.
Milk of some sort is another obvious essential. While any nondairy milk will be okay, I do have a couple of top picks. In the video I used homemade almond milk, which is so much richer and more flavorful than the water-y stuff from the carton. 4 cups water + 1 cup almonds, blend for a couple of minutes on high, strain, done. Or if you don’t mind a hint of coconut flavor in your hot chocolate, light canned coconut milk is another awesome choice. Deliciously rich and a little extra coconut-sweet! Or you can just keep it simple and lower fat with good old almond milk or soy milk or any milk you like. The dates will still make for a thick creamy mug of cocoa.
Now onto the fun extra additions! Cinnamon for a bit of holiday spice. Vanilla bean powder because what chocolatey treat isn’t better with it’s sweet sidekick vanilla? And a sneaky spoonful of chocolate chips that will melt right in and make this mug even more rich!
The easiest, fastest, frothiest way to make a mug of this Creamy Cozy Date-Sweetened Hot Chocolate is simply to bring the nondairy milk to a boil (microwave or stovetop), add it to a blender with all the other ingredients, and blend. Be sure to blend a little longer than seems necessary for that extra froth on top! I topped mine with a dollop (or two!) of Cocowhip, chocolate chips, and cinnamon, but marshmallows would be perfect too.
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Creamy Cozy Date-Sweetened Hot Chocolate
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Description
A creamy, cozy blender-made mug-full of healthy vegan hot chocolate that is extra rich and sweet with the delicious addition of caramel candy-like dates!
Ingredients
- 1 cup boiling non-dairy milk (see post above for suggestions)
- 2–3 pitted Medjool dates
- 1 tbsp cacao powder
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp vanilla bean powder
- 1 tbsp vegan chocolate chips
- Coconut whipped cream (Cocowhip, or marshmallows for topping)
Instructions
- Bring the non-dairy milk to a boil in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- Combine all the ingredients in a high speed blender.
- Blend on high for approximately 1 minute. The longer blending time will make it more frothy.
- Pour into a mug, top with coconut whipped cream or marshmallows, chocolate chips, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
- Enjoy!
Yes!! I’ve had hot cocoa on my mind lately (and in my mug) – I love it and I’m always curious to see everyone’s favorite ways of making it! Lately I’ve been whipping up a date sweetened blender version with cashews, so rich! I will be trying your recipe soon, I just can’t resist a tasty hot chocolate recipe! I’m loving the sounds of that extra chocolatey punch from the chocolate chips. Yum!
I had lots of fun researching and finding links for this post, there are SO many variations out there! Mmm that sounds marvelous and so creamy with the cashews. I highly reccomend throwing in some chocolate chips to your next mug, they melt right in and make it extra rich 🙂
Thanks for the shout-out, girl! And I’m not surprised to see dates in this recipe, you’re the QUEEN of dates!! 😉
Of course! Haha yep, I do love to throw them into just about everything 😀
I was thinking the same as Sarah! I think when I read that I was like, wait there isn’t a date hot chocolate on here yet?! ?
I know right, seems so obvious and FF appropriate 😀
YES!!! That’s what I like to hear, thanks so much for the feedback and I am thrilled that you love it too 🙂
I could REALLY use a big mug of this right now! It’s freezing and there’s talk of even more snow on the way….definitely hit chocolate season ? I love that you used dates for this recipe!!! I’m always so quick to reach for a different sweetener when it comes to hot drinks. In fact, for the last few weeks I’ve been making an AIP ginger hot chocolate…I bet dates would be sooooo good in it! This looks so rich and creamy – and the addition of the chocolate chips sounds perfect! I love all the wonderful varieties of hot chocolate out there – I’ll be adding yours to my list! ❤️❤️
Whoa really!?! They were not kidding about that whole arctic blast thing, that’s a lot for Oregon isn’t it? Mmm yes definitely reason for all the cozy warm foods though–soup, hot chocolate, some cookies perhaps 🙂 I use maple syrup mostly for sweetening my daily marshmallow tea (thank you for that!), but I should try dates in there too. Mmm ginger in hot chocolate, I need to try that. Fresh or ground? Anyways, good luck staying warm <3 xo
I’m a massive warm beverage drinker, but for some reason hot chocolate is not something I often go for. I think it’s because I associate it with being heavy, overly sweet and unhealthy! But your version sounds amazing! Love that it’s sweetened with dates (aren’t they just the best!) Definitely need to try it 😀
Yes I totally think of all those things with hot chocolate usually too! And thinking back to the stuff I drank growing up it was, and often made me feel slightly sick…not exactly happy holiday feels. I tried to keep it super light and healthy for just that reason 🙂 Ah dates–they are the best, we certainly agree there!
Leave it to you to create a date-sweetened hot chocolate and it looks fabulous!! I like how it adds a little extra creamy and thick factor. I bet it is so delicious!! Of course you already know how much I love chocolate chips in my hot chocolate, to me, that cocoa butter is a must for a truly good hot chocolate. I’ll definitely need to try your version. And I am in total agreement with you. the storebought almond milk is SO disgusting in almond milk and way too strong. But I make my own homemade almond milk whenever I’m not feeling lazy and it is absolutely delicious, creamy and has no strong almond taste. I use it to make ice cream and I can only imagine how amazing it is in hot chocolate. Definitely need to try that! Great recipe sweet friend!!
Right!? We all knew I would post this recipe sooner or later 😀 I love them for the extra creaminess, and the chocolate chips certainly don’t hurt with that part either! Mmmm now that you mention cocoa butter I’m imagining how delicious a vegan white hot chocolate would be with melted cocoa butter in it…? Next year! Ha most of the time I am too lazy, but every time I do make the homemade stuff I have to wonder why I don’t do it more often. Thanks Brandi!!
I just made this, it’s so comforting and perfect!
I decided to add a teaspoon of maca powder, which adds a nice twist to it too 🙂
Love it!
Mmmm maca powder sounds like a lovely addition, I will add that in next time I make it too I think! So happy you liked it, thanks for the feedback 🙂
Hi Natalie,
I just noticed you linked to my frozen hot chocolate lovely! Thank you so much! I love your date-sweetened recipe. I am literally drinking this daily this week because it is so cold! Can’t quite find enough blankets to drink a cold smoothie quite yet..haha! Love the variety you shared! Dee xx.
I did indeed!! Because it looks like absolute chocolate heaven in a glass, exactly what I would love right now but much too chilly here this week too! I can’t wait for ice cream and smoothie season to come back around 😀 Hope you are having a wonderful weekend! xo
This Hot chocolate is amazing!!! I’ve just made it! Is very creamy and rich!!! Great idea to use dates! I used coconut milk that is more commom in Brazil!
Perfect balance between cinnamon and vanilla! I didn’t use the chocolate Chips.
★★★★★
I’m so happy you liked it Isabelle 🙂 It’s SO extra good with coconut milk, I love making it that way too. Thanks for the feedback!
Sounds dreamy, Natalie! Will have to try this one VERY soon!!!
Mmm yes, dreamy indeed, I hope you do just that! Still waiting for the weather to catch up to my hot chocolate cravings 😀
We justade this without chocolate chips. It is amazing! So creamy and delicious! Reminds me of the packets of carnation hot chocolate I used to drink as a kid but this is a million times better and healthier.
★★★★★
Well that is exactly what I was going for so YAY!! I am so happy you liked it even without the melted chocolate, thanks for the feedback Same 🙂
First chilly night of Paleoctober and this is perfect! Yum!
★★★★★
I am so happy this hit the cozy chocolate spot☺️
The perfect hot beverage for when you’re craving something a little sweet! So easy to make in the blender and so incredibly delicious. I love customizing with different flavors (adding extra cinnamon/ginger, or even mint). An amazing recipe!
I am so happy you loved it, and ooooh yes I love the sound of both of those variations😋❤️