vegan maple hot chocolate

This vegan maple hot chocolate is made with only 3 ingredients, sweetened with unrefined maple syrup and coconut sugar, and comes together in less than 5 minutes. The perfect cozy, healthier hot chocolate for any holiday festivities this season!

Yesterday, it rained for this first time this season and the weather forecast predicts more rain into the weekend. Which means it is the PERFECT time to be sharing this recipe as I will probably have at least five of these vegan maple hot chocolates through the holiday weekend!

It actually rained so hard yesterday the lights were flickering in the house last night. I might be alone in this, but I think stormy, rainy nights are my absolute favorite. They’re so cozy (if you’re able to stay indoors), oddly calming, and perfect time to watch your favorite movie! With an extra large mug of vegan maple hot chocolate of course.

Now, when I say this recipe is EASY, I really, really mean it. I might be guilty of saying other recipes are easy that require several steps and multiple appliances (sorry) but this one…I make it right in the mug I am going to be drinking it from. Preferably a large one. If you want to serve this drink at any holiday parties this year, just line up everyone’s mug and measure out the ingredients into each one! No extra dishes required or encouraged!

Cacao powder versus cocoa powder

All you’re going to do is measure in one tablespoon of cacao powder, maple syrup, and coconut sugar into each mug. Now some of you may ask me what the difference is between CACAO powder and COCOA powder.

Cacao powder is cold pressed, raw cacao beans. Cocoa powder is ROASTED cacao beans.

Some people say that cacao powder is better for you because it is less processed than cocoa powder but I don’t know that it makes a huge difference. Both are unsweetened and are just raw cacao beans processed in different ways.

Either one will work just fine in this recipe – I just happen to have cacao powder!

Now, once you’ve measured out the ingredients into your mugs, just add hot water! Stir to combine all ingredients and now, for the fun part (and unhealthy part, but live a little)! Top with whipped cream, marshmallows, and add in a candy cane!

marshmallows aren’t vegan?

You might be thinking, marshmallows aren’t vegan? And yes, you are right! Most brands of marshmallows in the grocery store contain gelatin which is not vegan! Not even vegetarian. If you don’t know what gelatin is, I would recommend doing a Google search! You may be surprised and horrified to know what is in your beloved marshmallows.

And thankfully, we can still enjoy Marshmallows WITHOUT the gelatin! They may be harder to find – but I do know that Trader Joe’s now has their own vegan marshmallows and there is another brand called Dandie’s that also makes vegan marshmallows!

I found them on Amazon and will link them below incase you cannot find them in stores near you because everyone needs vegan marshmallows in their life!

Grocery stores are also now starting to carry whipped cream made from soy milk and coconut milk. So cool!

I hope you guys love this vegan maple hot chocolate as much as I do! It’s easy, healthy (ish), and super comforting on a chilly winter night!

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