My thick and creamy Healthy Hot Chocolate sweetened naturally with dates is a must make! An amazingly rich and shockingly dairy free hot cocoa recipe just perfect for chilly weather. You'd never believe it has 9g protein and 5g fiber per mug. Grab your cookies for dunking and get cozy by the fire!
Sound the alarm. This hot chocolate is so divine it's actually bamboozling my brain right now. Like all of my cacao powder recipes!
Dairy free. No added sugar. Sweetened 100% naturally with dates. SO THICCKKK! I can't. But I just did!
Just like my Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate, this bev it's seriously life changing. I've been making it every other day! Say goodby to old school packets and hello to winter weather sipping essentials.
Important: dipping Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies is quite highly recommended.
The low down on key ingredients
- Medjool dates: I developed this recipe to be free of refined sugar, so we're using delish, caramely dates! These add amazing natural sweetness and they actually thicken the mixture, too. I found that soaking them makes them easiest to blend. Be sure to remove the pesky pits!
- Milk: Any milk you love is great here but it was clear in testing that higher fat/creamier milk yields the richest cup of cocoa. I have made this with almond milk, but soy milk or lite coconut milk are my fave!
- Cocoa powder: Any unsweetened baking cocoa is great but I tested this recipe with Guittard and it was out of this world. Don't miss my favorite cacao recipes!
- Vanilla: My secret weapon for intensifying the chocolate flavor, so don't skip it! The heat can burn off the flavor, so we stir it in last.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is critical for balancing the flavors here and bringing out the sweetness. It falls flat without it!
Tips for the best hot cocoa of your life
- Soak your medjool dates for 5 or more minutes in super hot water so they're nice and soft and can be easily blended. PS--did you know dates are technically a fresh fruit?!
- Use a milk you love. I like soy milk for the protein boost and flavor, but unsweetened vanilla almond, but oat, soy, or coconut work too! You could also do 2% or whole milk if you do dairy.
- Use a high speed blender. I used my Nutribullet. Blending the dates is key to sweetness!
Make it your own!
- Add a pinch of cinnamon and the smallest bit of cayenne for Mexican hot chocolate. You could also garnish with a cinnamon stick!
- Add a tablespoon of chocolate chips for an extra yummy melty surprise at the bottom
- Top it off with a dollop of whipped cream or mini marshmallows!
- Add a shot of espresso for an easy mocha!
- Make it boozy: stir in a splash of bourbon or red wine if you fancy.
Storage
Store any leftovers covered in the fridge. Now get your hot cocoa on!
Print
Creamy Healthy Hot Chocolate (no added sugar!)
- Prep Time: 13 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
My thick and creamy Healthy Hot Chocolate sweetened naturally with dates is a must make! An amazingly rich and shockingly dairy free hot cocoa recipe just perfect for chilly weather. You'd never believe it has 9g protein and 56 fiber per mug. Grab your cookies for dunking and get cozy by the fire!
Ingredients
- 5 medjool dates
- 2 cups unsweetened soy milk (or milk of choice)
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder (I love cacao too!)
- pinch of salt
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Remove pits and place dates in a small bowl. Cover with hot water and set aside to soak for 10 minutes.
- Drain dates. Place them in a high speed blender or Nutribullet with milk, cocoa powder, and salt. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Pour mixture into a small saucepan. Heat over medium low for about 3 minutes, or until hot. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into a mug and enjoy with toppings of choice!
the says
Absolutely fantastic the frothiness tastes like melted marshmallows and the liquid is pleasant and rich. Love it so much
Alexis Joseph, MS, RD says
Hahaha love this!! So good right? Thanks for commenting!
Dylan says
This is a staple in our house during chilly, winter evenings! For an afternoon pick-me-up, a shot of espresso or two is a fab addition!
Alexis Joseph says
SO GOOD with espresso!
Andrea says
This is just an excellent recipe. Perfect drink for a cold Canadian winter.
I haven’t had hot chocolate in so long because I didn’t want the refined sugar or dairy. I used unsweetened oat milk and Camino cocoa powder. Amazingly creamy and just sweet enough. Second serving is in fridge for tomorrow:)
Alexis Joseph says
Mmmmm I love the thought of using oat milk. Thanks for the kind review, Andrea!
Hannah says
This recipe is perfect!! I’ve made it both with whole milk and almond milk and both were delicious. Works well to make a double batch and keep in the fridge to heat up later too!!
Alexis Joseph says
SOOOO smart!! Thanks, Hannah!
Carrie says
This is so good!!
Alexis Joseph says
Yayyy I'm so, so glad this was a winner for ya, Carrie!
Erin says
I can't wait to make this! Yum! I've been craving hot chocolate, but not wanting to buy store bought (I live in Florida so don't need hot most of the time 😂). This is just what I've been looking for! If I wanted to make it minty, when should I add mint extract? Before blending or while warming?
Alexis Joseph says
Ohhh yummm! I would add just a few drops at the end when you add the vanilla 🙂