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Feel Good Hot Chocolate

Mugs of Vegan Hot Chocolate topped with coconut whipped cream and shaved chocolate

Who’s ready for ultra-cozy vibes? (Hand raised!)

This easy hot chocolate recipe requires just 7 ingredients and 15 minutes to make.

While I have a more basic Vegan Hot Cocoa, I wanted to elevate it to include maca powder (where the feel-good vibes come in) and ensure it was naturally sweetened.

Cinnamon sticks, maple syrup, cacao butter, coconut milk, carob powder, cocoa powder, and maca for making our Feel Good Vegan Hot Chocolate

It starts with making our own chocolate base with cocoa butter, cacao powder, and a little carob powder, which intensifies the chocolate flavor and adds a little natural sweetness.

Whisking together warmed cocoa butter, cacao powder, and coconut milk for Vegan Hot Chocolate

Next comes coconut milk, maple syrup for a little added sweetness, cinnamon for warmth, sea salt to bring out the sweetness, and vanilla to enhance the chocolate flavor.

Then comes maca powder, which is an adaptogen rich in minerals like calcium, potassium, iron, and zinc. It also helps boost mood, balance hormones, and support the thyroid. It tastes like something between caramel and honeycomb. In other words, I’m obsessed.

Spooning coconut whipped cream onto Vegan Hot Chocolate with maca

Once everything is mixed and hot, it’s time to serve! Enjoy as is or elevate it even more with homemade coconut whipped cream and more cacao powder.

Sprinkling sifted cocoa powder onto the coconut whipped cream layer of Feel Good Vegan Hot Chocolate

I hope you all LOVE this hot chocolate! It’s:

Rich
Creamy
Chocolaty
Warming
Naturally sweetened
Surprisingly healthy
& So tasty

This is the perfect hot cocoa for chilly evenings spent inside. You can even make it in advance and heat it up on the stovetop as needed.

If you’re into warming, cozy drinks, also be sure to check out our 5-Minute Vegan Golden Milk, Easy Vegan Chai Latte, Best Vegan Matcha Latte, Healing 3-Ingredient Turmeric Tonic, and Apple Cider Rooibos Hot Toddy.

If you give this recipe a try, let us know what you think! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers!

Close up shot of comforting Feel Good Vegan Hot Chocolate

Print
Spooning coconut whipped cream onto Vegan Hot Chocolate
4.84 from 12 votes

Feel Good Hot Chocolate

Insanely rich, delicious, refined-sugar-free vegan hot chocolate infused with real cocoa butter, cacao powder, and maca powder for serious feel-good vibes. Just 7 ingredients required!
Author: Minimalist Baker
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Servings: 2 (mugs)
Category: Beverage, Dessert
Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Vegan
Freezer Friendly No
Does it keep? 5 Days

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric

HOT CHOCOLATE

  • 3 Tbsp cocoa butter* (chopped // food-grade)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cacao (or cocoa) powder (sifted)
  • 1 Tbsp carob powder (optional // sifted // adds richer chocolate flavor)
  • 2 1/2 cups canned light or homemade coconut milk (divided // or sub other milk // subbing full-fat coconut milk will yield creamier hot cocoa)
  • 1 dash ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp maca powder (adds honeycomb flavor, promotes hormone balance + energy)
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • 2 Tbsp maple syrup (or sub stevia or coconut sugar or blend the mixture with dates then strain)

FOR SERVING optional

  • Coconut Whipped Cream
  • Chopped dark chocolate (or store-bought // or cacao powder)

Instructions

  1. Add 1 inch of water to a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Place a glass or ceramic bowl on top that rests inside the saucepan but doesn’t touch the water, and add cocoa butter, sifted cacao powder, sifted carob powder (optional), and 1/2 cup (120 ml as recipe is written // if adjusting batch size, use 1/5 of the total coconut milk) coconut milk. Whisk occasionally to melt until well combined.

  2. Carefully remove bowl from heat with a towel, and discard any remaining water in the saucepan.
  3. Transfer melted chocolate mixture to the saucepan, add cinnamon, maca powder, sea salt, maple syrup, and remaining coconut milk (2 cups or 480 ml as recipe is written), and whisk to combine. Cook over medium heat until just beginning to bubble.

  4. Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more maple syrup for sweetness, cinnamon for warmth/spice, maca for caramel flavor, or cacao powder (sifted) for more intense chocolate flavor. Additional cocoa butter will add more creaminess.
  5. Serve between two mugs and enjoy as is or top with coconut whipped cream and chocolate or cacao powder.
  6. Best when fresh, though hot chocolate keeps covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days. Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat until hot.

Notes

*In place of cocoa butter you could also sub naturally-sweetened vegan dark chocolate, such as Eating Evolved brand. Just scale back on sweetener elsewhere in the recipe to compensate. I used cocoa butter to keep this recipe naturally sweetened.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients or toppings.

Nutrition Per Serving (1 of 2 mugs)

  • Calories: 315
  • Fat: 26.1g
  • Saturated fat: 15.9g
  • Sodium: 150mg
  • Carbohydrates: 26.1g
  • Fiber: 4.1g
  • Sugar: 15.1g
  • Protein: 2.9g
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49 Comments 15 minutes or less, 7 ingredients or less, Beverage, Dairy-Free, Fall, Gluten Free, Grain-Free, Holiday, No Bake, Nut-Free, Oil-Free, Recipes, Refined Sugar-Free, Soy-Free, Sweet (dessert), Vegan, Winter

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danaHi, I'm Dana! I am a food stylist, photographer, creator of Food Photography School and author of Everyday Cooking.

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Talk About It

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All commentsI made thisQuestions
  1. Avatar for JewelJewel says

    February 4, 2018 at 11:19 am

    Is there a substitute for cocoa butter?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 4, 2018 at 2:47 pm

      See the notes!

      Reply
      • Avatar for JustinaJustina says

        February 27, 2018 at 1:43 am

        How did you think to use cocoa butter? Also, is this your favourite brand or would you recommend any other?

        Reply
    • Avatar for faithfaith says

      February 5, 2018 at 11:57 am

      is there a printer version of this recipe

      Reply
    • Avatar for NicoleNicole says

      March 2, 2018 at 6:41 pm

      Amazing! You are so inspiring. This video made the hot chocolate look like you were crafting a beverage for good night in. I am hooked and will be making this to fight the rainy weather in Portland. Thanks for having such a wonderful website. I truly love making all of your recipes. Nicole L.

      Reply
    • Avatar for NicoleNicole says

      March 2, 2018 at 6:41 pm

      Amazing! You are so inspiring. This video made the hot chocolate look like you were crafting a beverage for good night in. I am hooked and will be making this to fight the rainy weather in Portland. Thanks for having such a wonderful website. I truly love making all of your recipes. Nicole L.

      Reply
  2. Avatar for CathleenCathleen says

    February 4, 2018 at 11:46 am

    This is fate?. I just bought carob powder and maca powder for the first time to try your carob bar recipe. I looked for a hot chocolate with carob powder because I’m trying to cut out sugar. I found one that was okay. And now here is Minimalist baker to the rescue! I always go to your site first when looking for meal ideas. Thank you so much for freely sharing. I can’t wait to try this recipe!

    Reply
  3. Avatar for Erika WyckoffErika Wyckoff says

    February 4, 2018 at 1:33 pm

    Where can l buy cocoa butter? What brand so you recommend and what does it look like?

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 4, 2018 at 2:47 pm

      See the link in the recipe!

      Reply
  4. Avatar for Erika WyckoffErika Wyckoff says

    February 4, 2018 at 1:36 pm

    Where can l buy cocoa butter? What brand? What does it look like? Does maca powder have caffeine??

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 4, 2018 at 2:48 pm

      I link to it in the recipe!

      Reply
  5. Avatar for Tammy ThieleTammy Thiele says

    February 4, 2018 at 2:13 pm

    I’ve been wanting a cocoa recipe using cacao powder and knew you would come to the rescue! Looking forward to trying this!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for ChristyChristy says

    February 4, 2018 at 10:58 pm

    What is the song in this exquisitely delicious video? Love what you do!

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 5, 2018 at 11:42 am

      Thanks! It’s called “The Cloud” by Ian Post (we got it on artlist.io).

      Reply
  7. Avatar for BekahBekah says

    February 5, 2018 at 9:10 am

    Do you have a link to the stevia you use? I’m never sure if I should use powder or liquid and what the measurement equivalents are.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 5, 2018 at 11:15 am

      I buy the boxed one from Trader Joe’s and it’s packets! Hope that helps.

      Reply
  8. Avatar for JessicaJessica says

    February 5, 2018 at 11:48 am

    Boy, that cacao powder dusting shot is sexy!

    Reply
  9. Avatar for BethBeth says

    February 5, 2018 at 1:23 pm

    Wow, thanks for looking out for my mind and spirit in addition to my body! This is exactly the centering sweet treat I’ve been looking for!

    Reply
  10. Avatar for RachelRachel says

    February 5, 2018 at 1:44 pm

    Delicious! After waiting outside in the cold for my bus, this was the perfect afternoon pick-me-up! I’m not vegan, so I actually used a mix of coconut milk and cow milk (and honey to sweeten).

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 5, 2018 at 7:18 pm

      Lovely! Thanks for sharing, Rachel!

      Reply
  11. Avatar for JeananJeanan says

    February 5, 2018 at 6:06 pm

    Creamy, rich and satisfying! I love that I can still have thick hot chocolate without heavy cream! I made this in the evening so I avoided the maca (it perks me up). I used regular coconut milk since I didn’t have light.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 5, 2018 at 7:18 pm

      Smart! Thanks for sharing, Jeanan. xo!

      Reply
  12. Avatar for Patti PiercePatti Pierce says

    February 5, 2018 at 8:12 pm

    Dana, do you have a recipe for making a dry vegan cocoa mix?
    I have been looking forever it seems.
    Your recipes are awesome, especially your cheeses!
    Thanks, Patti

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 6, 2018 at 7:33 am

      I’ll add that to my list!

      Reply
      • Avatar for LizLiz says

        November 24, 2018 at 7:13 pm

        I second this!

        Reply
  13. Avatar for AbbeyAbbey says

    February 6, 2018 at 8:52 am

    Do you use the gelatinized or raw maca powder from the amazon link? I have some raw maca powder from another brand and its aftertaste is QUITE gross so I never use it!
    Thanks!

    Reply
  14. Avatar for David Di PardoDavid Di Pardo says

    February 6, 2018 at 9:54 am

    This looks so good! What brand do you use to make the coconut whipped cream? I’ve tried Trader Joe’s new coconut cream formula and its thick out of the can at room temperature but separates badly when I chill it over night… Tired beating it and all the water came out leaving a curdled mess…

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Cassie Thuvan TranCassie Thuvan Tran says

    February 6, 2018 at 5:08 pm

    Looks great for V-Day! I really want to try using a vegan dark chocolate to substitute for the cocoa butter. Enjoy!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for KamaldeepKamaldeep says

    February 6, 2018 at 5:47 pm

    I’ve never seen a hot chocolate that looked this good *drool*

    Reply
  17. Avatar for Claire @ TallGirlBigWorldClaire @ TallGirlBigWorld says

    February 8, 2018 at 11:26 am

    Okay, I think you sold me on maca powder! I just might have to break down and buy some; it sounds delish!
    -Claire

    Reply
  18. Avatar for Yasmeen JoomaYasmeen Jooma says

    February 8, 2018 at 11:05 pm

    This looks AMAZING!!!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for Olga VinnikovaOlga Vinnikova says

    February 10, 2018 at 8:54 am

    Hello Dana,

    I didn’t get how much coconut milk I need 2 1/2 cups or 960 ml? 960 ml is about 4 1/2 cups. Or I need 2 1/2 cans? Thanks. Olga

    Reply
    • Avatar for Dana @ Minimalist BakerDana @ Minimalist Baker says

      February 12, 2018 at 10:58 am

      Sorry for the error! It’s 2.5 cups, or 600 ml. Fixed!

      Reply
  20. Avatar for Olga VinnikovaOlga Vinnikova says

    February 12, 2018 at 11:03 am

    I did it yesterday. Amazing result. Much better than regular hot chocolate. Thank you Dana.

    Reply
  21. Avatar for Lucia MihalikovaLucia Mihalikova says

    February 13, 2018 at 4:03 am

    Hi there,

    I tried to make this heavenly-looking hot chocolate but mine was just too oily. Could you please help with this? It actually got to be oily when the cocoa butter melted. However, if I look at your video, there is no oil in the pan. Many thanks!

    Kind regards,

    Lucia

    Reply
  22. Avatar for DanelleDanelle says

    February 19, 2018 at 8:48 am

    Delicious. Lots of cafein though. I made it after dinner and it kept me up to 2am fully awake. I am not used to having matcha though. Yummy though.

    Reply
  23. Avatar for EdithEdith says

    February 22, 2018 at 4:50 pm

    I have been wanting to make this since the recipe was posted. Finally gathered all the ingredients and in honor of my 7 month anniversary of a fully plant based diet I made this warm and cozy drink for my daughter and I. Absolutely divine!!

    Reply
  24. Avatar for Becky LeffBecky Leff says

    February 25, 2018 at 11:17 am

    This is so delicious! And I felt good after drinking it – maybe the maca and cacao? FYI for all the readers asking, I found cocoa butter in the baking section at Whole Foods.

    Reply
  25. Avatar for JessicaJessica says

    March 2, 2018 at 4:28 pm

    This is the best hot chocolate! Loved every bit.

    Reply
  26. Avatar for AbdelAbdel says

    June 7, 2018 at 5:22 am

    This was great, even though I didn’t have maca or corab! I added a teaspoon of instant coffee and a bit more salt which really enhanced the chocolate flavour.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Support @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      June 8, 2018 at 6:47 am

      Yay! Thanks for sharing :D

      Reply
  27. Avatar for ClaireClaire says

    September 10, 2018 at 6:57 am

    I made this without the carob, and swapped half the coconut milk for oat milk. I sweetened it with a few drops of liquid stevia and it tasted amazing! Super chocolatey and rich. Love it – definitely making this one again. :)

    Reply
    • Avatar for Support @ Minimalist BakerSupport @ Minimalist Baker says

      September 11, 2018 at 7:14 am

      Smart! Thanks for sharing your recipe changes, Claire!

      Reply
  28. Avatar for Jessica FloryJessica Flory says

    October 17, 2018 at 11:47 am

    OH MY GOSH THIS WAS SOOOO GOOD!!! I didn’t have carob or maca powder and it was still AMAZING!!!

    Reply
  29. Avatar for JuliaJulia says

    December 5, 2018 at 2:37 pm

    Super rich and really good. I didn’t have carob powder so I just left it out.

    Reply
  30. Avatar for Marie AwnMarie Awn says

    December 24, 2018 at 8:27 pm

    I made this fancy hot cocoa earlier this evening and seriously guys…it’s freaking awesome. My husband said it’s the “best hot chocolate I’ve had in my life.”
    I didn’t have cocoa butter or carob powder so I used dairy free semi-sweet chocolate chips instead and I just omitted the carob powder altogether.
    Also if you can, please make the coconut whip. The cold whipped cream on top of the steaming hit chocolate is perfection in a cup!
    Thanks for always posting the best recipes just in time for cozy, special nights!
    Happy holidays!

    Reply
  31. Avatar for TerraTerra says

    December 29, 2018 at 9:25 am

    Holy moley this was super rich! I would thin this out if I make it again. No one finished their mugs on Christmas morning!

    Reply
  32. Avatar for RupiniRupini says

    January 8, 2019 at 1:21 pm

    My experience with heating coconut milk is that it curdles! So i am afraid to try this..! Does anyone have any tips?

    Reply
    • Avatar for RupiniRupini says

      January 8, 2019 at 1:21 pm

      Also to be clear, i want to use coconut milk, since i dont have any other nut milk here

      Reply

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