Homemade Vegan Hot Chocolate

It’s officially time to hibernate. We need ALL the hot drinks in a major way. 

Hot drinks meaning mugs of this luscious Homemade Vegan Hot Chocolate (no judgement if you feel like adding booze to your mug… it’s not a bad idea).

My consistent love-hate relationship with winter has transitioned to the hate stage. The thought of winter isn’t all that bad until it actually gets here. You know when your bed is SO much warmer than the air that it hurts to get up? If you’re like me, you feel frozen throughout the day no matter what, with hands as cold as ice.

That’s where I’m at.

Even though the snow is pretty, I’m totally dreading all winter-related things. Except for the obvious of course like fuzzy socks and snuggling and Netflix and delicious hot chocolate but the frigid temps literally suck the life out of me. 

Therefore, I hibernate. 

Most times, the only way I can warm up is to sip lots of hot drinks that defrost me from the inside out. Coffee, tea, hot chocolate, soup. All of it.

Kinda like how I consistently mention here on TGF that eating a variety of colorful plant foods will leave you glowing from the inside out, my homemade hot chocolate will warm you from the inside out. Similar to that old Campbell’s Soup commercial with the melting snowman… remember?! If you’re not a hot chocolate person, my 5 Vegan Warming Winter Recipes work like a charm at curing those winter blues too. 

Hot chocolate lovers BEWARE because once you try this Homemade Vegan Hot Chocolate, you’ll never go back to store bought or packaged fake hot chocolate again. You just won’t. Ever.

Last year’s Coconut Cinnamon Hot Chocolate was delish but this year, we are going bigger and better with a homemade CACAO SUPERFOOD BLEND. It’s everything. With mexican hot chocolate vibes too. When you mix creamy almond milk with healing cacao powder, energizing maca powder AND the best of the warming spices like cinnamon, turmeric, ginger and cayenne, you’re left with a magical mug of superfood hot chocolate. Soothing, healing, cozy, nourishing, warming and luxurious. SO YUM.

Here’s what you’ll need and why for this magical mug:

Raw Cacao Powder:

Quite possibly my favorite superfood because hello, chocolate (find my favorite brand here). Raw cacao powder is the better version of over-processed cocoa powder and is one of the best sources of magnesium and iron as well as antioxidant flavanols and polyphenols. The alkaloid chemicals like theobromine, phenylethylamine and anandamine help support mental well-being and enhance our mood. With an abundance of calcium, potassium, sulfur, zinc and copper, you’ll be feeling good and nourished. A nutrient-dense superfood for sure!

Raw Maca Powder:

My second favorite superfood. After noticing how it balances my hormones and mood (seriously though), I don’t go a day without it. I’ll add a teaspoon to coffee, smoothies, desserts and especially this hot chocolate. Maca is an energizing adaptogen that not only regulates hormones but increases fertility/libido and strength. A stress-relieving powerhouse with 31 minerals, it gives you a boost of natural energy and tons of phytonutrients (my favorite brand here).

Cinnamon:

Super balancing and best known for normalizing blood sugar levels, cinnamon has antiseptic properties and aids digestion as well as nausea. Packed with manganese, fiber, iron and calcium, this classic spice adds much flavor and a slight sweetness. Not all cinnamon is the same though. Be sure to use saigon or ceylon cinnamon (vs. regular cinnamon) which have a distinct flavor and yummy scent (buy it here).

Cayenne:

Cayenne is known to rev up your metabolism and helps with congestion. Say goodbye to that stuffy nose! It reduces inflammation and blood cholesterol while relieving pain. Boosts your immunity too. Adding the tiniest bit goes a LONG way so be sure to add in super small amounts but I highly recommend adding a pinch to this hot chocolate as it really intensifies the flavors.

Turmeric:

Ahh, the golden wonder spice. I’ve really grown to love turmeric, mainly for its skin-loving properties (aids in a healthy glow) but it’s also antiseptic, anti bacterial and anti inflammatory. It comes from a root similar to ginger and is high in antioxidants. Adds a beautiful bright golden color, so vibrant! Fresh or ground is fine, I used ground.

Ginger:

Ginger is so essential. So healing. So digestion-friendly. With it’s natural cold fighting properties, you can battle off congestion, flu and nausea while boosting your immunity as it destroys bacteria and viruses. Great for circulation and adds a zap of flavor. Fresh or ground is fine for this mug!

Vegan Marshallows:

Can’t forget about these little gelatin-free treats! Optional of course, but you can find vegan marshmallows from Dandies brand at Whole Foods or buy them online here. They are amazing and sweet and offer the same taste/texture as regular marshmallows. What’s hot chocolate without marshmallows?!

 Sip and slurp away!

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