This delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate recipe has a rich, creamy texture and is sweetened only with maple syrup. Dress it up with your favorite toppings! Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.
This is the hot cocoa recipe for peanut butter lovers. With healthy ingredients, this thick hot chocolate tastes like Reese's peanut butter cups in drinkable form. A perfect drink for the holiday season or a cold winter day.
Why you'll love this recipe
- Easy homemade hot chocolate
- Simple ingredients
- Gluten-free and dairy-free
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the recipe card below.
Creamy peanut butter - Natural peanut butter is best to avoid added sugar and oil. Almond butter can be substituted but will have a different flavor profile.
Unsweetened cocoa powder - Adds a rich chocolate flavor to our creamy hot chocolate. For a more intense chocolate flavor, substitute cacao powder.
Almond milk - Use unsweetened almond milk or any non-dairy milk for a dairy-free chocolate drink. Soy milk, cashew milk, full fat or lite coconut milk, oat milk, or a combination of almond milk and another plant-based milk.
Maple syrup - Adds a rich sweetness without the need for white sugar. Other natural sweeteners like agave nectar or honey (not vegan), will work well. Coconut sugar can be used.
Vanilla extract - You'll want to use pure vanilla extract for the best quality and flavor.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, add almond milk. After giving the almond milk a few minutes to warm, whisk in cocoa or cacao powder, peanut butter, and salt.
Step 2: When large clumps have dissolved, whisk in maple syrup and vanilla extract. Whisk periodically until mixture is smooth and desired temperature is achieved. If you find you prefer it sweeter, add more maple syrup as desired.
To make the peanut butter drizzle, combine the nut butter and maple syrup. Adding a little maple syrup at a time until desired consistency is reached.
How to serve
Before serving, add more maple syrup if you prefer a sweeter hot chocolate drink. For a stronger pb flavor, add extra peanut butter and whisk until integrated.
Top with mini marshmallows and peanut butter drizzle or other toppings like dairy-free whipped cream, dairy-free chocolate chips, or chocolate shavings.
FAQs
Yes! Peanut butter can be mixed with hot or warm milk or any plant-based milk. Whisk it into a saucepan of warm milk until a smooth consistency is achieved.
Yes! Peanut butter can easily heated in the microwave at short intervals until melted.
To make this homemade hot chocolate nut-free, choose a nut-free milk and substitute sunflower seed butter for the peanut.
Hot drinks are always the answer to cold temps. Check out these vegan hot chocolate bombs! Or want more peanut butter inspiration? Check out this peanut butter banana ice cream and the links below!
More drink recipes
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (655ml) unsweetened almond milk
- 4 tablespoons (25g) unsweetened cocoa powder or cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons natural creamy peanut butter
- 2 pinches salt
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup or honey if not vegan
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Drizzle, optional
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 2-3 tablespoons maple syrup
Additional optional toppings
- vegan marshmallows
- coconut whipped cream
- chocolate shavings
- cacao nibs
- chopped peanuts
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over low heat, add almond milk. After giving the almond milk a few minutes to warm, whisk in cocoa powder, peanut butter, and salt.
- When large clumps have dissolved, whisk in maple syrup and vanilla extract. Whisk periodically until mixture is smooth and desired temperature is achieved. If you find you prefer it sweeter, add more maple syrup as desired.
- Remove from heat and pour into mugs. Top with marshmallows and peanut butter drizzle or other toppings if desired.
- To make peanut butter drizzle: Combine peanut butter and maple syrup. Adding a little maple syrup at a time until desired consistency is reached.
Brynne
Great twist on a classic!