Vegan Hot Chocolate

Vegan Hot Chocolate is a rich, creamy, and comforting drink made without dairy. It’s the perfect cozy beverage for cold days or a holiday treat. Here's a simple recipe to make your own:

Ingredients:

2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or any other non-dairy milk like oat, soy, or coconut milk)

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2-3 tbsp maple syrup (or any sweetener of your choice, like agave or coconut sugar)

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips (optional for extra richness)

Vegan whipped cream (optional, for topping)

Ground cinnamon or cocoa powder (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Heat the Milk:

In a small saucepan, heat the almond milk over medium heat until warm but not boiling.

2. Mix the Cocoa Powder:

While the milk is warming, whisk in the cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.

Continue whisking until the cocoa powder is fully dissolved, and the mixture is smooth.

3. Add Chocolate (Optional):

For a richer and creamier texture, you can add the dairy-free chocolate chips to the mixture. Stir until the chocolate melts completely into the hot chocolate.

4. Taste and Adjust:

Taste your hot chocolate and adjust sweetness if necessary by adding more maple syrup or sweetener to your liking.

5. Serve:

Pour the hot chocolate into a mug. If desired, top with vegan whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or a dusting of cocoa powder.

Tips:

Sweeteners: You can adjust the sweetness based on your preference. Some people enjoy it sweeter, while others prefer a more bittersweet flavor.

Spices: For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or even a small dash of cayenne pepper for a spiced version.

Chocolate: For a richer chocolate flavor, you can melt some dairy-free chocolate chips directly into the hot milk instead of just using cocoa powder.

This Vegan Hot Chocolate is creamy, decadent, and perfect for warming up on chilly days, all without any dairy!