Peppermint Hot Chocolate | Dietitian Debbie Dishes

This peppermint hot chocolate is extra creamy and rich without the dairy. You’ll use a combination of chocolate and cocoa powder for extra flavor. Serve with your favorite toppings like vegan whipped cream and a candy cane.

As the holidays ramp up and the temperature drops, I start thinking about the long winter ahead and I dream of cozy, comfort foods like this vegan spinach lasagna. This vegan peppermint hot chocolate is exactly what I want to curl up with on a cold winter night. The recipe below makes enough for two, but can be easily be doubled or tripled so you can share with family or friends.

Making homemade hot chocolate is super easy and so much tastier than those store-bought packages. Plus, it’s way cheaper to make it at home than going to Starbucks. (Although, I do love the occasional Starbucks trip!) Most of those also contain a whole lotta sugar so making your own gives you more control over just how much sugar you want to use.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

• This recipe is vegan. It is also vegetarian, dairy free, and gluten free. My favorite plant-based, non-dairy milk to use for these is soy milk.
• Healthier than store-bought packages since you can adjust the amount of sugar.
• Rich and creamy thanks to the melted chocolate in this recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Milk: Use any milk that you like (dairy or non-dairy). I prefer to use soy milk since it makes a much richer hot chocolate than some of the other non-dairy milks like almond or oat.
• Chocolate: Any chocolate that you have on hand will work for this recipe. I typically use either dark chocolate or vegan chocolate chips. If using a milk chocolate, you may want to adjust the sweetener.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds extra chocolate flavor.
• Maple Syrup: Just 1-2 tablespoons is all you need to sweeten this hot chocolate. You can also use granulated sugar if you don’t like the taste of maple syrup.
• Peppermint Extract: Adds just the right amount of peppermint flavor without tasting like toothpaste.
• Sea Salt: Add a pinch of salt to your hot chocolate to balance out the sweetness and highlight the chocolate flavor.

See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

Step by Step

Step One: Add all of your hot chocolate ingredients to a small saucepan over low heat. Bring to a gentle simmer, stirring frequently until hot and chocolate has melted.

Step Two: Use a whisk to stir hot chocolate as it cooks. Avoid letting it boil. Transfer to 2 mugs for serving.

Recipe FAQs

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Created by: Deborah Murphy

Cuisine American, Gluten-free, Vegan

This peppermint hot chocolate is extra creamy and rich without the dairy. You’ll use a combination of chocolate and cocoa powder for extra flavor. Serve with your favorite toppings like vegan whipped cream and a candy cane.

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Instructions

• Add your milk, chocolate, cocoa powder, maple syrup, peppermint, and salt to a small saucepan. Use a whisk to stir everything together as you heat it over medium-low flame until warmed through; do not boil. 

• Pour into a mug and top with whipped cream and toasted marshmallows. Garnish with a candy cane. 

Notes

• Instead of maple syrup, you can use 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar. 
• Instead of vegan chocolate chips, use 1 1/2 ounces chocolate. I prefer dark chocolate, but any will work. 
• If using a sweetened milk, make sure to adjust the sugar added so that it isn’t too sweet.
• Add a shot of espresso or strong coffee to make this into a peppermint mocha.
• To make a large batch: double or triple the recipe and add to a crockpot on low until hot (about 20 minutes) then turn to “warm” setting for serving. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1Mug | Calories: 291kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 139mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 927IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 384mg | Iron: 4mg

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