This is the recipe you want in your back pocket for chilly, gloomy days or when you’re craving a healthier, comforting pick-me-up. It’s made with 8 simple (wholesome) ingredients in just 10 minutes. Let’s do this!
The base starts with creamy coconut milk, either DIY or light store-bought. If you’re not into coconut, you could also sub just about any other dairy-free milk, like rice or almond!
Next comes cacao butter, which adds not only richness but also that quintessential buttery chocolate flavor. Swoon!
All that’s left is maple syrup for natural sweetness, vanilla and spices for flavor, sea salt for balance, and coconut butter for even more richness. Then serve and garnish!
We topped it with our beloved coconut whipped cream, but it’s also delicious on its own. To make it boozy, add 1 ounce Kahlua or 1/2 ounce bourbon whiskey.
We hope you LOVE this hot chocolate! It’s:
Creamy
Chocolaty
Buttery
Rich
Naturally sweetened
& SO easy to make
This would make the perfect healthier pick-me-up when you’re craving something comforting. It’s like drinking a white chocolate bar while simultaneously getting a hug. Need we say more?
If you’re into cozy beverages, also be sure to check out our Feel Good Hot Chocolate, Rooibos Apple Cider Hot Toddy, Bourbon Chili Cinnamon Hot Toddy, 5-Minute Vegan Golden Milk, and Best Vegan Matcha Latte.
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Vegan White Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
HOT CHOCOLATE
- 2 1/2 cups coconut milk (or store-bought // use full-fat for creamier hot chocolate, or sub other dairy-free milk)
- 1 Tbsp chopped cacao butter
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup (or stevia to taste)
- 1 Tbsp coconut butter
- 1 Pinch each ground cinnamon + nutmeg (for natural sweetness and warmth)
- 1 Pinch sea salt
- 1/2 tsp maca (for honeycomb / caramel flavor (optional))
- 3/4 tsp vanilla extract
FOR SERVING optional
Instructions
- To a small saucepan, add coconut milk and cacao butter and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for a few minutes, whisking occasionally.
- Once melted and completely combined, remove from heat and add maple syrup, coconut butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sea salt. Optional: Add maca for a caramely flavor and hormone-balancing benefits.
- Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more maple syrup for sweetness, coconut butter for buttery coconut flavor, or cacao butter for richer chocolate flavor (heat over stovetop as needed to melt). Add vanilla last and whisk to combine.
- Divide between 2-3 serving glasses and top with desired garnishes, such as coconut whipped cream, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Best when fresh. Store leftovers in the refrigerator up to 5 days or in the freezer up to 1 month.
Video
Notes
*To make it boozy, add 1 ounce Kahlua or 1/2 ounce bourbon whiskey (more or less to taste) per single batch.
prashanthi atluri says
Is there a guidance video for this?
Yes, it is available here.
Michelle says
Can you sub out the coconut butter? I’m just not a fan plus I have all the other ingredients already and don’t want to have to go buy it (or make it).
That should be fine!
Lauren says
I wanted to love it but it was way to fatty and filling for me. Felt like I was drinking butter.
Oh no! So sorry you didn’t enjoy this recipe, Lauren. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, it’s super helpful! Are there any modifications you made, or is there anything you would change to make it more to your liking?
Dianne says
Is the cocoa butter that you’ve linked to on Amazon edible? Have you used that particular butter? Thank you.
Hi Dianne, we have updated the link with the brand we have enjoying more recently. Hope that helps!
Rupini says
My experience is that coconut milk curdles when heating. Any tips on this?
Anne says
I’m obsessed! I cheated and threw everything in my Vitamix on the hot setting. Got some nice foam on top.
I subbed unsweetened coconut flakes for the coconut butter. Comes out a little thinner (albeit cheaper) than I imagine the original is, but still so good!
Yum! Thanks for sharing, Anne!
Michelle Pinto says
This was (is…as I am currently drinking it!) spectacular! I am a hot cocoa junkie and have some every single night. Literally. Even though I live in Florida. It is my end of night…ahhhhhh. So when I saw this I was excited for my husband as he is a white chocolate lover and decided to make it for Thanksgiving morning to have with our Vegan Coffee Cake and/or dessert. Such a perfect warm beverage with the subtle tastes of fall!! I used a little stevia as well as we like our cocoa to be sweeter but all in all I stuck to the recipe as it was and it is awesome!! So glad there are health benefits to using the cacao butter and maca too!! Thank you!!!
Michelle Pinto says
P. S. My 3 kids LOVED it as well!!
Whoop! Thanks, Michelle!
McKenzie says
Very satisfying. I think it’s important to like the nut milk or coconut milk you use, because that flavor is definitely prominent. But this was really comforting and just sweet enough. I loved the maca addition for a subtle caramel-yness, and it smelled so much like hot chocolate while it was simmering! Cocoa butter is amazing stuff.
Lynne says
This was amazing… thank you for the recipe!
Anne says
This looks fantastic! Thank you for the recipe.
Cassie Thuvan Tran says
PLEASE don’t hate me, but I have never tried pure cocoa butter! I’m pretty certain that it has the consistency of refrigerated butter or soft white chocolate, but I’ve been pretty iffy about using it in recipes because I don’t know what I’d do with it (also, the FAT! LOL!). But this vegan white hot chocolate looks way too incredible to pass up! Where would be the best place to purchase high quality cocoa butter?
Simone says
I use cacao butter in everything! It’s so good!! It’s white but has a decadent chocolate smell. I live remote in Australia so I order it on eBay but you should be able to find it at most health food shops. Can be expensive but healthy fats and organic produce are good for you:)
It melts at a higher temperature than coconut oil, so is mostly solid at room temperature. You can get it in pellets or raw random chunks:) enjoy!!
Melissa says
I’ve re-opened this recipe at least 10 times today to drool over how good it looks and to see if I have the ingredients to make it. But alas, I accidentally bought deodorized cocoa butter! #sadface
Is there any way to salvage it and make the recipe anyways (maybe something I can add to help with the flavour) or am I doomed and must return to buy regular cocoa butter?
Patricia says
Just had this after dinner instead of a coffee and it was really delicious! I didn’t use cardamom (too much chai flavor) but Maca powder, vanilla and almond milk – so good!
I’m excited to try it with some Kahlua as well. ☺️
Rachelle Sadat says
Sooooo exited to try this for my son who cannot have dairy and does not like chocolate. I have been searching for a white hot chocolate! Thank you!!
Sara says
Oh yes, that just was the perfect yummy and comforting pick-me-up after I’ve had a belly ache and been cranky all day… Thanks!
Anindita Mou says
Its really unique testy recipe. My mom always read your all recipe and try to make some yummy food. I appreciate your work.
Best regards
Anindita Mou