Oat milk is one of the best alternatives for hot chocolate because of its creaminess. My stomach gets upset when I drink hot dairy milk, so oat milk is a good substitute. Enter this rich and creamy oat milk hot chocolate.
What is the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate?
I am passionate about this: these terms are not interchangeable. Hot cocoa includes cocoa powder, sugar and milk. Hot chocolate includes actual chocolate, melted together with milk. I prefer hot chocolate because it has a richer taste. Nothing against Swiss Miss packets, but nothing beats real hot chocolate for me!
What kind of oat milk should I use for hot chocolate?
I like a few brands, including Califia Farms Oat Milk or Oatly. However, my favorite right now is Willa’s Oat Milk. The brand sells a regular oat milk and a creamy oat milk, which I specifically used for this recipe. It’s rich and creamy and tastes GREAT. Of course, you can use any other milk for this recipe as well, including almond, dairy or coconut.
How to make rich and creamy oat milk hot chocolate
It’s two steps! Break out a medium saucepan that can hold at least four to five cups of liquid. Pour the oat milk into the saucepan and bring the heat to about medium. You will need to whisk it frequently. It won’t scald quite the same as dairy milk, but it’s important we don’t let it burn.
Dump in your favorite semisweet chocolate chips and dark chocolate chips. I used Trader Joe’s brand. Then add in some cocoa powder, maple syrup and vanilla extract, and wait for everything to melt. Whisk frequently until the cocoa powder dissolves and the chocolate is melted.
Don’t let it come to a boil – it shouldn’t bubble! That’s too hot. Bring it down to a lower simmer if needed.
Topping ideas for hot chocolate
Ok, whipped cream and marshmallows are necessary. But if you want to make a hot chocolate bar, here are some other ideas:
- Peppermint meringues
- chocolate covered pretzel sticks
- chocolate truffles
- peppermint bark
- caramel sauce
- chocolate drizzle
Other recipes to try
If you liked this rich and creamy oat milk hot chocolate, check out these other winter recipes:
- Hot Chocolate Cookies with Peppermint
- Red Velvet Caramel Crinkle Cookies
- Peppermint Chocolate Espresso Cookies
- Chocolate Rolls
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Rich and Creamy Oat Milk Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- medium saucepan
- Whisk
- mugs
Ingredients
- 3¼ cups oat milk
- ¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- ¼ cup dark chocolate such as 70%
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- marshmallows optional
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the oat milk and begin stirring with a whisk.3¼ cups oat milk
- After 1-2 minutes, add the cocoa powder, semisweet chocolate and dark chocolate chunks. Stir frequently until the chocolate melts and the cocoa powder dissolves, about 5 minutes. Don't bring it to a boil. If it begins to bubble, bring the heat down.¼ cup semisweet chocolate chips, ¼ cup cocoa powder, ¼ cup dark chocolate
- Add the maple syrup and vanilla. Stir until combined. Keep stirring until it looks thick. Remove from the heat.1 tsp maple syrup, ½ tsp vanilla extract
- Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream or marshmallows!marshmallows
