As the weather cools down, warm yourself up with a comforting cup of vegan pumpkin hot chocolate. Loaded with pumpkin, chocolate, and a hint of warming spices, it’s a perfect drink for those crisp fall evenings.
Cooler days and longer nights. Oversized sweaters, knit scarves, and worn-in riding boots. Brisk afternoon walks in the fragrant air and cozy evenings spent curled up on the couch with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate. All.things.fall.
Admit it, I just made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Maybe even a little wistful? For comfort; for stillness; for peace. We spend so much of our lives being busy, busy, busy, that it feels nice to have even nature tell us to stop and smell the flowers… or cozy up and sip the cocoa, as it were…
I asked you guys yesterday whether you’d prefer to see hot chocolate or a smoothie on the blog today, and hot chocolate won by a landslide. I guess I’m the only one sipping on ice cold smoothies while wearing a hoodie and mitts? Throwing a fireplace in the mix when things get really chilly? 😉
Either way, I’m more than happy to share this recipe with you, especially since it gives me an excuse to cozy up on the couch and relax. It’s been kind of a long and hectic week, which is why I’m currently buried under a pile of blankets with a mug of hot chocolate within arm’s reach and Disney’s Aristocats playing in the background. Nostalgia at it’s finest.
But back to the hot chocolate… This one just so happens to be dairy-free and refined sugar-free, but you’d never know it unless I told you… which I just did 😉 The base is a creamy vanilla almond milk, spiked with pumpkin puree, maple syrup, cocoa powder, and warming spices. That’s it! No shady ingredients, thickening agents, or spoonfuls of sugar. Just wholesome foods you can feel good about eating. Or drinking, in this case.
So grab some blankets and your favourite book/movie and take some time to relax. To breathe. To refocus. What needs to get done will get done, even if you take 20 minutes off to cozy up to a mug of vegan pumpkin hot chocolate… topped with a healthy dollop of coconut whipped cream, naturally.
I’d love to know if you make this (or any!) recipe! Tag @runwithspoons on Instagram and Twitter, and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy and delicious recipes straight to your inbox!
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Vegan Pumpkin Hot Chocolate
- Total Time: 7 mins
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1/3 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- dash of nutmeg
- dash of cloves
- coconut whipped cream (I love this tutorial)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together almond milk, pumpkin puree, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and spices. Bring to a boil and continue stirring to ensure that everything is well-combined. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat and transfer to mugs. Top with vegan whipped cream or your favourite hot chocolate toppings.
- Prep Time: 2 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
Keywords: dairy-free hot chocolate, Fall, pumpkin hot chocolate, vegan hot chocolate, vegan pumpkin hot chocolate
Looking for a baked treat to enjoy alongside your drink? Try one of these!
Flourless Pumpkin Pie Muffins
Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Granola Bars
Almond Joy Oatmeal Cookies
I halved the recipe. I used unsweetened vanilla cashew milk. I did not use the maple syrup, instead using 2 Truvia packets, 1/2 T store brand Splenda, and a decent amount of fat free ReddiWip. I originally was only intending to use the Truvia packets, but the flavor was too bitter for me without adding some extra sweetness. The texture was wonderfully creamy. I will probably make this again, maybe reducing the amount of cocoa powder I use.
This would be perfect for today…it is so chilly and we’re about to get hit with a downpour if the weather channel is right! Thank you for sharing this recipe with us at Foodie Fridays!! Pinning!
Thanks for sharing this recipe! I am lactose intolerant and always struggle with finding delicious hot chocolate recipes to snuggle up with during the cold months.
I loveeed Artisocats… and 101 Dalmations! I had stuffed animals of all the characters of both haha. Explains a lot, doesn’t it?
Fall has really been about slowing down for me too! I’ve always had trouble just letting myself relax and do nothing, but I’ve got to say I’m enjoying it lately. Now I just need this pumpkin hot chocolate to add to the mix. 😀
That looks aaaah-maaazing!!
I had some hot chocolate the other day, but a pumpkin spiced one blows mine out of the park! Love it!
{Teffy’s Perks} X
Amanda this is brillllliant! So lovely and just in time for the cold weather coming. Never though of adding pumpkin to my hot chocolate and I like foam on my hot chocolates… IS THAT WIERD!? lol
You say Disney I say “The Little Mermaid” !
The Disney movie Up is the best new animation and the best old one is ‘great mouse detective ‘
★★★★★
Its cooled down for all of about 4 days here, but its shooting back into the 80s next week. Boo. Regardless, this little drink of yours sounds to DIE for. Anything pumpkin right now is on my list of things to make, but when you add chocolate to that it automatically makes it to the top of the list!!
Yay for over sized sweaters!!! I’m absolutely loving this weather! It’s weird because I feel more energetic with this weather too haha. And yes to hot chocolate! The cooler temps makes me want to have a latte, hot tea, or hot chocolate permanently stuck to my hand!
Coconut whipped cream sounds delishhh! I know I sound like a nutter but I’ve never really been a whipped cream fan, even before I got into the whole healthy eating jazz! As for marshmallows in my hot chocolate, YES PLEASE! Favorite Disney movies are a toss between Aladin, Lion King & Beauty and the Beast…aww I want to go watch them all over again now!
Awesome choices! Those are pretty much my favourites as well 😀
This looks so delicious!! I’m not a vegan but I love almond milk & all the other ingedients listed – Thank you so much for sharing! I found your lovely blog on SITS Sharefest.
Thanks
Angie
Yep, you did make me feel as fuzzy as a fuzzy sock and as warm as this cup of pumpkin hot chocolate. Or maybe that’s my laptop heating up on my lap…
MULAN! Hercules also popped up in my brain. Love both of those movies. And I love marshmallows (mini) in my hot chocolate. I haven’t had marshmallows in forever and now I want fire + stick + marshmallow + blanket. Gahhhh!
Pretty much in love with this. Hot chocolate is one of my favorite desserts, especially for the upcoming chilly weather!
Wow, I can’t believe there is pumpkin in there! Can you taste it or does it clump? I’d eat that whipped cream though…the tutorial is epic.
You can taste it, but it’s not overpowering. And no clumps — nice and smooth 😛
Wow what a great idea! I love when recipes have simple ingredients I’m likely to have in my kitchen 🙂