If you’re looking for a cozy hot cocoa recipe, but with some extra flavor, you have to try this Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate! It’s creamy, rich, flavorful and easily made dairy-free and vegan-friendly. Made in a saucepan in 5 minutes!
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While powdered hot cocoa mix is definitely convenient, it’s so much more fun to make homemade hot chocolate. Not to mention you get to control the ingredients – everything from the type of milk, cocoa powder, peanut butter and the amount of sweetener.
And for this recipe, we’re basically taking the flavor of peanut butter cups and making it into a drinkable form. Is there any better combination?!
Why You’ll Love It
If you love hot chocolate and peanut butter, then this cozy drink is for you! It is:
- rich and creamy chocolate flavor
- delicious peanut butter flavor
- dairy free and vegan friendly
- ready on the stovetop in about 5 minutes
Ingredients List
- non-dairy milk – for a rich and creamy hot chocolate, use full-fat oat milk or coconut milk. You can also use soy, almond milk, cashew milk, whole milk or really any other variety of milk you’d like. I do not recommend protein plant-based milk for this recipe.
- unsweetened cocoa powder – make sure to use unsweetened cocoa powder, or cacao powder.
- 60% dark chocolate chips – I love the added rich and creamy flavor chocolate chips give to hot cocoa. Use your favorite brand. You can also sub chopped chocolate if you prefer.
- creamy peanut butter – I typically go for a simple natural peanut butter, where peanuts are listed as the only ingredient. This will give you the richest peanut butter flavor as well. Make sure it’s smooth peanut butter, not crunchy.
- pure maple syrup – pure maple syrup (grade A, dark amber color) is best here (not pancake syrup), but you can also use another liquid sweetener of choice, such as agave syrup or honey.
- vanilla extract – enhances the flavor of hot chocolate.
- fine sea salt – optional but just a tiny pinch can enhance all of the flavors.
Find the full detailed instructions with measurements in the recipe card below, at the end of this post.
How to Make It
This peanut butter hot chocolate recipe comes together in a saucepan on the stovetop and is so easy to make. Here is a quick overview of how this recipe is made showing some photos as well, with the full recipe including ingredients and amounts in the recipe card below.
First add your milk to a small saucepan and let it come to a simmer, over medium-low heat.
Then whisk in the cocoa powder, chocolate chips, maple syrup, peanut butter and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is melted together, and continue simmering on low heat for another 2 minutes.
Transfer the peanut butter hot chocolate to two mugs, and add your favorite toppings if you’d like.
If you have a frothing wand and enjoy a little foamy top, you can use that in place of any toppings, or before you add them.
Hot Cocoa Toppings
Homemade hot chocolate is extra special when you add additional toppings.
Make it like your favorite coffee shop hot cocoa by adding some whipped cream, vegan marshmallows, some chocolate shavings and a peanut butter drizzle, for an extra special treat.
Recipe Notes & Substitutions
You can use a nut-free milk, like soy or oat-milk if you need to avoid almonds or cashews.
If you need to substitute the peanut butter, feel free to use cashew butter or almond butter in it’s place.
You could also omit the nut butter altogether if you’re looking for a simple hot cocoa recipe.
Taste test for sweetness. Add a pinch of coconut sugar for a little extra sweetness if you’d like.
If you’re looking for an adult hot chocolate, try my Superfood Hot Chocolate recipe, using adaptogens and spices.
More Hot Drinks to Try
This Creamy Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate is the perfect treat for a cozy night or nice pick-me-up after playing out in the snow. Let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a comment and star rating below! It helps others learn more about the recipe too! Xx Ashley
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups non-dairy milk, I like oat best here
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, or cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons non-dairy dark chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat milk in medium saucepan over medium-high heat until simmering.
- Add in cocoa powder, chocolate chips, peanut butter, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Whisk until chocolate chips and peanut butter are melted completely and mixture is smooth, allowing the mixture to simmer for a few minutes. (Do not boil.)
- Divide into two mugs and add whipped cream, peanut butter drizzle, chocolate shavings. Enjoy!
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