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!
While powdered hot cocoa packets are 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.
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
- peanut buttery
- dairy free and vegan friendly
- ready on the stovetop in about 5 minutes
Ingredients List
- non-dairy milk – for a richer and creamier texture, use full-fat oat milk or coconut milk. You can also use soy, almond milk, cashew milk or really any other variety of milk you’d like. I do not recommend protein based non-dairy milks.
- 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 peanut butter where peanuts are listed as the only ingredient.
- 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.
- vanilla extract – enhances the flavor of hot chocolate
How to Make It
This recipe comes together in a saucepan and is so easy to make.
Just add your milk to the stovetop and let it come to a simmer.
Then whisk in the cocoa powder, chocolate chips, maple syrup, peanut butter and vanilla extract. Whisk until everything is melted together, and continue simmering 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, and a peanut butter drizzle.
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.
If you’re looking for an adult hot chocolate, try my Superfood Hot Chocolate recipe, using adaptogens and spices.
Let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a comment and rating below! It helps others learn more about the recipe too! Xx Ashley
How to Make…
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
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!
- Prep Time: 1 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 6 minutes
- Diet: Vegan
- Yield: 2
- Scale:
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups non-dairy milk (I like oat best here)
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa 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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