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Rich, creamy, and made with only a handful of ingredients this healthy hot chocolate recipe is the perfect drink to curl up with. Made with cocoa powder and honey, the hot chocolate whips up quickly so that it can warm up you up from the inside out in no time.

hot chocolate with whipped topping

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You’ll never go back to store-bought hot cocoa again once you try this homemade hot chocolate with natural sweeteners. It’s made with ingredients you already have in the cupboard and has just the right amount of rich chocolate flavor and sweet, comforting taste.

Sweetened with honey, this rich and creamy hot chocolate recipe tastes even better with a tiny pinch of salt. With your mug in hand, you’ll be ready to curl up in front of the fire and savor every sip.

Looking for more cozy and comforting drinks? Don’t miss my Ginger Lemon Tea and Golden Turmetic Latte – they’re so delicious!

hot chocolate served with whipped topping

Why You Will Love This Recipe

  • Easy to make: You only need a handful of ingredients to whip it up and you should have most of them already in the house.
  • Comforting: It’s sweet but not too rich. The perfect amount of milk chocolate flavor.
  • Versatile: Delicious as written but also easy to adapt depending on what you’re craving that day.

Ingredients And Sustitutions

For a full ingredients list with measurements, check the recipe card below.

ingredients for hot chocolate
  • Milk: Any milk that suits your diet will work here. Just know that plant-based milk won’t have as creamy of a texture unless you opt for some coconut milk. Other dairy-free milk like cashew milk, almond milk or oat milk will work great too.
  • Dutch cocoa powder: The unsweetened cocoa powder is what gives the drink its rich chocolate flavor. Raw cacao powder can also work here, but you’ll need more sweetener to counter the bitterness.
  • Honey: Adds sweetness without being overpowering. Feel free to substitute with your preferred sweetener to adjust the flavor to your liking.
  • Chocolate: The kind of chocolate you choose will reflect the final taste. Milk chocolate will give a creamier blend, but dark chocolate is for true chocolate lovers.
  • Vanilla extract: You add in more or less depending on your preference. Know that the higher the quality of the vanilla is, the richer it will become.
  • Sea salt: A pinch of salt is optional but always brings out the best sweetness and an overall balance in the flavors.

How to Make Healthy Hot Chocolate

mixing cocoa powder and milk in a saucepan
  1. Make a slurry. Whisk together the cocoa powder, honey, and a small amount of milk in a saucepan until smooth.
adding milk to cocoa powder
  1. Add more milk. Stir in the remaining milk and chocolate to the pan.
adding chocolate to cocoa milk mixture
  1. Add chopped chocolate. Add chopped chocolate and stir everything.
mixing hot chocolate in a saucepan
  1. Heat it up. Warm the mixture over medium low heat, whisking constantly, until the chocolate melts and the milk is steaming (but not simmering). Remove from heat and stir in a pinch of salt and vanilla extract.
  2. Taste and adjust. Give it a taste and adjust the sweetness if needed. Serve warm and enjoy!
hot chocolate with honey in a mug

Recipe Tips For The Best Healthy Hot Cholate

  • Do not allow the milk to come to a simmer while melting down the chocolate. Otherwise, your drink will have a bit of a burnt taste to it.
  • Use a milk you already enjoy on an everyday basis. This way you know what to expect from the flavor.
  • Once the chocolate is melted, you can mix it all with a handheld frother. This not only combines the ingredients but gives the healthy hot cocoa a frothy, comforting feel.

Recipe Variations

Below are a few ways to adjust the recipe and change the flavor based on what you’re craving that day.

  • White chocolate: Want a super-rich cup of cocoa? Substitute the chocolate for white chocolate instead.
  • Toppings: Add a dollop of whipped cream, mini marshmallows, or candy canes to complete the hot chocolate. You can also add a peppermint extract for a festive flavor.
  • Spices: A sprinkle of cinnamon or chai spice goes a long way. You can even add maca powder for its antioxidants benefits.
  • Mocha: Add a shot of coffee to make a chocolate mocha drink. You could even top it with shaved chocolate too.
dairy free hot chocolate in a mug

Storing and Reheating

  • Refrigerate: If you have leftover hot chocolate, let it cool before storing it in a mason jar in the fridge. It will last up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: To reheat it, pour it back into a saucepan and heat it over low on the stove until warmed through. You may wish to add an extra splash of milk to thin it out.

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

Sure! To make the healthy hot chocolate dairy-free, simply opt for plant-based milk in place of traditional and ensure your chocolate is dairy-free as well.

Can I use a sweetener different from honey?

Of course, maple syrup, organic cane sugar, or stevia can all be used to sweeten the hot chocolate recipe. Just know that each one brings with it a unique flavor.

How to make vegan hot chocolate?

Make sure you use dairy-free milk and make sure your chocolate is dairy-free too. And for the sweetener, you can use maple syrup instead of honey.

More Warm Beverages

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Healthy Hot Chocolate

Rich, creamy, and made with only a handful of ingredients this healthy hot chocolate recipe is the perfect drink to curl up with. Made with cocoa powder and honey, the hot chocolate whips up quickly so that it can warm up you up from the inside out in no time.
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2

Save This Recipe

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Ingredients  

Instructions 

  • In a medium saucepan, whisk together the cocoa powder, honey, and a small amount of milk to form a smooth slurry.
  • Add the remaining milk and chocolate to the pan.
  • Heat over medium heat, whisking constantly until the chocolate melts and the milk is steaming (but not simmering).
  • Remove from heat, stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt, adjust sweetness if needed, and serve hot with your favorite toppings.

Notes

  • Do not allow the milk to come to a simmer while melting down the chocolate. Otherwise, your drink will have a bit of a burnt taste to it.
  • Use a milk you already enjoy on an everyday basis. This way you know what to expect from the flavor.
  • Once the chocolate is melted, you can mix it all with a handheld frother. This not only combines the ingredients but gives the hot chocolate a frothy, comforting feel.

Nutrition

Calories: 393kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 120mg | Potassium: 656mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 36g | Vitamin A: 406IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 329mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition Disclaimer: Nutritional values are estimates and may vary with ingredients, brands, and portion sizes. For accuracy, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

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Disclaimer: The information provided in this recipe is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical or nutritional advice. I am not a doctor or a dietitian. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider for personalized guidance regarding your diet or health. For more details, please read my full disclosure page.

About Neli Howard

Meet Neli Howard, the food blogger and recipe developer behind Delicious Meets Healthy. With over 12 years of cooking experience, Neli shares easy, wholesome recipes made with real ingredients to help you cook stress-free, flavorful meals the whole family will love. Her work has been featured in Healthline, Forbes, CNN, and more.

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