This Vegan Date Sweetened Hot Cocoa requires just 3 simple ingredients and a few minutes of prep to create a thick and chocolatey drink!
Hi buddies! Another Friday, another installment of the Winter Warm-Up Drink Series! Earlier this month, I shared a tea drink and an iced coffee... so it only made sense that it's now time for a cup of hot cocoa! This Vegan Date-Sweetened Hot Cocoa requires just 3 ingredients and a few minutes to create a thick, rich chocolatey drink. Just use your favorite non-dairy milk, blend in some dates to add some no-sugar-added sweetness, and finish off with a few spoonfuls of cacao powder. I topped mine with vegan almond milk whipped cream, but it's also perfect in its simplicity. Have you ever tried a drink or dessert that was sweetened with dates?
So I've had an infamous "bucket o'dates" for the better part of the last year, and I have been scratching my head at ways to use it up well... the entire time. I made this AMAZING spiced date cake at Christmas and it was a huge hit! But besides that, zilch. Nada. I have been a very bad date user all-around. I saw a recipe for a date sweetened hot cocoa in one of my new cookbooks, Vegan Meals for the Carnivorous Family, which I had reviewed for a blog friend a few months ago, and decided to recreate it! Since I needed a warm drink for this ongoing series, the timing worked out perfectly.
I am always looking for ways to have my cake and eat it, too so ? If I can fulfill my chocolate cravings in a healthier way, then I am all for it! A 2-cup serving of this hot cocoa is 216 calories with 5.6g of protein which doesn't sound too bad to me! And if your mugs are smaller than mine and you have a very reasonable 1-cup serving instead, it's a measly 108 calories. You can't beat that!
As always, remember to check out my blogger friend's tasty creations for today!
- An Old Fashioned by Books n’ Cooks
- Gingerbread Smoothie by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Malted Hot Cocoa by Our Good Life
- Masala Chai by Palatable Pastime
- Salted Nutella Latte by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Soursop Soother by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Vegan Date-Sweetened Hot Cocoa by The Baking Fairy
- Winter White Hot Chocolate by Family Around the Table
I'm no stranger to trashed-up hot chocolate recipes, so here are some of my past creations! Earl Grey Hot Cocoa, Strawberries & Cream White Hot Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice White Hot Chocolate, and Spiked Italian-Style Hot Chocolate.
What I made earlier this series: Dirty Earl Grey Latte, Small Batch Vanilla Cinnamon Cold Brew Latte.
vegan date sweetened hot cocoa
Ingredients
- *for 1 serving*
- 2 cups nondairy unsweetened milk {I used cashew milk}
- 5 pitted dates
- 2 tablespoon cacao powder
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- First, place the nondairy milk in a microwave-safe cup and add in the dates.
- Heat milk and dates for 2-3 minutes, until mixture is very hot and dates have softened.
- Transfer mixture to a blender, and add in the cacao powder and pinch of salt.
- Blend mixture until smooth, then transfer to mug and enjoy! Top with vegan whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa if desired.
Wendy Klik says
Great way to enjoy hot chocolate without any guilt.
Terri Steffes says
We love dates in our house and I have never thought of using them as sweeteners. I cannot wait to try this. We have a Blendtec and it does hot drinks like a dream.
Liz @ Books n' Cooks says
Nope, I've never tried sweetening a hot drink with dates
But seriously, your gorgeous photos can get me to try just about anything you whip up!
Cindy says
I like the sound of dates in here. So good!
Hezzi-D says
Using dates to sweeten this is such a creative and delicious idea! Yum!
Billy says
Cool use of dates and cashews. And I've always found that a touch of salt, especially when you're using dark chocolate, is important to help bring out the flavors. Dates are also a cool alternative to using sugar, even raw sugar which lots of health conscious people tend to think is fine.
chahinez tabet aoul says
I have been trying to find a good hot chocolate recipe using dates for a while but haven't been able to! I will definitely try this one out and who knows if it turns out amazing I might get inspired to take it and run with it and have some variations of it.
I will let you know and if I make something similar I will definitely link back to you!
Jessica says
My husband and I really enjoyed this cocoa! Thank you for the recipe!
valentina says
Thank you for your comment, Jessica. I am so glad you guys liked it! 🙂
Rodger says
how do u melt the dates if you don't have a microwave
valentina says
Hey Rodger! The dates do not melt in the microwave - they just absorb the hot liquid so that they soften. You could do this on the stove instead.
Karen says
I love this recipe!! The hot chocolate is so creamy and frothy because of the dates and it’s just perfect in every way! I make it for me and my husband using 3 cups of milk and 7 dates and find that it’s the perfect amount.
Kim says
I love vegan hot chocolate! I have made a few changes to how I prepare mine:
I pour boiling water over the dates, just enough to cover them and let them sit in a mixing bowl for 10-15 min to soften. I add sea salt, 2 teaspoons of Camino Dutch processed cocoa and a heaping teaspoon of Sunbutter. I don’t add any milk just more boiling water and then I whip it up with a immersion blender. It’s creamy, frothy and delicious!
Sterling says
Made this for the first time because I’m 34 weeks pregnant and dates are suggested to be eaten regularly. I added a little almond extract and I can tell this is going to be a go to drink throughout winter (I’m due 12/21). Perfect find!! Thank you!
valentina says
Congrats!! I am glad you enjoyed this drink! When I was pregnant, my go-to was dates stuffed with some peanut butter and chocolate chips - soo yummy!
Jackie Rust says
Best vegan hot chocolate. I love it. Thank you. Thank you. I dud use 3 T. cacoa powder. I wanted a bit more chocolate .
Natalie Beattie says
Hi! What type of dates do you use for this recipe? I know different types can vary in size.
valentina says
Hi Natalie, thank you for your comment! I usually use medjool dates but the recipe is quite forgiving, you can add more or less dates based on how sweet you want it!
Erin says
It was great! Perfect sweetness. I used oatmilk, added a little salt, cinnamon and cardamom. Definitely a solid two servings and diabetic friendly!
valentina says
Thank you for leaving a comment, Erin! I am glad you enjoyed the recipe 🙂
Lamyk says
Happy to find this recipe using dates as sweetener for hot chocolate. The recipe is easy to follow and I added additional melted dark chocolate to increase the richness. Thanks for sharing the recipe.