Creamy Blender Cashew Hot Chocolate

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Vegan Blender Hot Chocolate - Because winter is not over yet. Or maybe it is... if you're in Florida, like I am, but you refuse to believe that.

I still have my Christmas tree up and I'm still sipping my coffee out of my dollar-store snowman mug. Don't judge. I have a hard time letting go.

So let's all pretend it's *not* almost March, and that all those beautiful breezy days below 70F degrees are *not* long gone for us South Floridians.

And let's focus on what truly matters - this creamy, decadent, chocolate-y, vegan hot chocolate goodness that you can make right now, using your blender. Before the weather gets hot again, really really hot.

top down view of hot chocolate in a blender

things I love about this vegan blender hot chocolate

  • All you need is a blender, preferably a high speed blender such as a vitamix (affiliate link). You can even warm it up using the blender, so no need to turn on the stove top.
  • Takes 5 minutes to make, maybe even less! Unless you have to soak your cashews ... which I recommend you do if you do not have a powerful blender.
  • Naturally sweetened using dates <3
  • It's creamy and sweet and chocolate-y and tastes just as good as any pricey hot chocolate I've ever bought in a cafe.
  • It pairs up so nicely with my Vegan Blender Brownie recipe. A match made in vegan heaven.
  • It's actually good-for-you, because cacao is a SUPERFOOD and filled with antioxidants!

a photo of a cacao powder package

cacao vs cocoa for hot chocolate 

Even though the names are almost identical, cacao and cocoa are not the same thing. Many people use these two terms interchangeably, but there are some distinct differences.

It is true indeed that cacao and cocoa come from the same plant, and the same seed even.. but what sets them apart is the way they are processed.

Cacao is in the simplest of terms, pure and raw. It is not heated and nothing else is added to the powder (Usually, but always check ingredient labels). Cocoa, on the other hand, is processed under high heat which results in a loss of many beneficial nutrients. It is also usually and commonly sold mixed with sugar, oil, and milk components.

I always choose cacao over cocoa. I like to use ingredients that are as natural and pure as possible. Lately, my favorite cacao powder brand has been Navita's Organics (affiliate link) pictured above. The taste of this cacao powder is so chocolate-y and sweet, definitely not bitter. Plus, you can easily buy it on Amazon. So that's a win for me.

Okay, 'nuff said. Whip this baby up in your blender, pour it in your favorite snowman mug, sprinkle some cinnamon or cacao powder on top to make it look pretty, and enjoy.

A hand holding a cup of vegan blender hot chocolate

One sip at a time. Because it's always a good time for some vegan hot chocolate.

Thanks to the FeedFeed.com for featuring this awesome recipe on their website. If you'd like to see what other content of mine has been featured, you can check that out over at thefeedfeed.com/sproutingzeneats

Find me on Instagram: @sproutingzeneats 

And if you try the recipe or like the idea of it .. let me know below ↓ in the comment section! I love to connect and hear from you all.

with love + gratitude,

Jen ♥

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Creamy Blender Cashew Hot Chocolate

vegan blender hot chocolate in a cup

The yummiest and creamiest vegan hot chocolate made in a blender. Oil free | Refined sugar free | Vegan | Gluten free

  • Author: Jen
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 serving 1x
  • Category: Vegan drinks
  • Method: Blending
  • Cuisine: Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup of cashews
  • 2 cups of oat milk or almond milk
  • 2 medjool dates, pitted
  • 1 tablespoon of cacao powder
  • Dash of cinnamon (totally optional)

Instructions

  1. Place all ingredients in a high speed blender such as a Vitamix, and blend until creamy and warm to the touch. Usually takes about 30 seconds in a Vitamix.
  2. Serve and enjoy! 🙂

Notes

  • If you do not own a high speed blender, I would recommend that you soak your cashews for a few hours before blending for ultimate creaminess.
  • You can totally heat this up on the stove top, but if you have a high speed blender and let it blend long enough it will be warm enough to drink. No need to reheat.
  • I’ve made this recipe using oat milk, almond milk, and water. With water, it is still tasty but not as creamy as it would be if using oat or almond milk. Oat milk yields the creamiest results.

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About Jen

A former registered nurse turned stay-at-home-mama, yoga teacher, and holistic health + wellness enthusiast. I share my homemade healthy recipes + natural living content to help women and moms live healthier and happier lives.

24 Comments

  1. Stephanie on February 21, 2018 at 8:59 pm

    This looks SO YUMMY!! Your photos are fabulous – what do you use for lighting?

    • Jen on February 21, 2018 at 10:05 pm

      Awww, Thanks Stephanie!! I appreciate your compliment 🙂 I use artificial lighting that I bought off of Amazon! I know many people say natural light is king, but artificial lighting is just so much more flexible for me. If you have any other questions let me know! 🙂

  2. Dreena Burton on February 21, 2018 at 11:01 pm

    Perfect! I did a blender hot chocolate once then totally forgot about it – good to be reminded…. and I love how natural your version is, lovely.

    • Jen on February 22, 2018 at 11:39 pm

      Thanks Dreena. 🙂

  3. Nicole | What She Ate on February 21, 2018 at 11:45 pm

    Aww I was hoping for snowman mug pictures. 😉 Loving this recipe, Jen. I’ve been all about the tea lately on these chilly days, but you’re making me want some hot chocolate now.

    • Jen on February 22, 2018 at 11:38 pm

      I was totally going to retake the pics in a snowman mug .. but then I ran out of cacao 🙁 !!! As soon as I restock and make this hot chocolate again (because yes, this girl does drink hot chocolate in the middle of summer in south florida haha), I’ll retake some with my cutie snowman mug just for you! I don’t think I’m putting that mug away this year. 😛

  4. Nicole on February 22, 2018 at 10:05 am

    I haven’t tried this cacao powder, I’ll look out for it. Great idea adding dates – yummy!

    • Jen on February 22, 2018 at 11:36 pm

      Yes, do! I love this brand. And dates are my current obsession.

  5. Randi Tisdall on February 22, 2018 at 11:10 am

    Mmmm, this sounds like the perfect way to spend my afternoon! I love using raw chocolate- it tastes so much better to me and is nutritious too! Thanks for sharing; your pictures are beautiful!

    • Jen on February 22, 2018 at 11:36 pm

      Thank you Randi, I appreciate your compliment! 🙂 Yes, raw chocolate is the way to go!

  6. Brittany Roche on February 22, 2018 at 2:27 pm

    OMG – this recipe has me so excited!! Hot chocolate is the BEST. I can’t believe I never thought to make it in the blender with cashews. Perfection!!

    • Jen on February 22, 2018 at 11:35 pm

      Yay Brittany haha glad you are excited about it. It’s so creamy and yummy, and best part, so easyyy in a blender!

  7. Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day on February 22, 2018 at 2:38 pm

    I love that you can make this hot chocolate in a Vitamix! It seems so much easier than making it on the stove. And that Navita’s raw cacao is the best!

    • Jen on February 22, 2018 at 11:35 pm

      Yes! It’s so much easier and quicker too. I wanted hot chocolate one night but didn’t feel like bringing out the pot and turning on the stove, so bam, blender hot chocolate haha.

  8. Jennifer on February 22, 2018 at 3:42 pm

    Your post made me giggle! I’m a Christmas junkie and was watching a Christmas movie just last night! lol! I’m in south Florida too and it’s already starting to feel like summer…not happy about it! Your hot chocolate looks delish!

    • Jen on February 22, 2018 at 11:34 pm

      Hi Jennifer! Let’s be friends. You had me at Christmas junkie. <3 So cool that you are in south Florida too! HI! I knowww it's starting to get hotttt and I don't like it either. 🙁

  9. Julie on February 23, 2018 at 10:12 pm

    This looks soooo good. I’m all about the hot comfort drinks right now. I always feel a bit guilty making my full-fat, full-sugar extra cream hot chocolate – this is a great guilt-free option.

    • Jen on February 26, 2018 at 5:54 pm

      Yes exactly, this is a sneaky healthy alternative and no need to sacrifice the creamy sweet flavor. 🙂

  10. Elizabeth on February 24, 2018 at 6:24 am

    That sounds utterly divine! I’ve never thought of putting cashews in a hot chocolate like this but I bet it makes it gorgeously creamy.

    • Jen on February 26, 2018 at 5:53 pm

      Yes!! It makes it so so creamy. I thought of the idea after making cashew cream milk for coffee… I was like hmm what would happen if I added cacao. Haha 🙂

  11. Ilana on February 26, 2018 at 3:40 am

    I would have this any time of the day and day of the year! I can finally see an advantage in living in a place where the cold weather lasts so long 🙂

    • Jen on February 26, 2018 at 5:52 pm

      Hahaha yes exactly. It’s back in the 80’s in Miami again, but I’ll still sneak in a hot chocolate here and there. 😛

  12. Michelle Stelly on March 1, 2018 at 8:01 pm

    I had no idea Cacao and Cocoa are two different things! Great article and the recipe looks so easy and delicious to make!

    • Jen on March 1, 2018 at 10:01 pm

      Yes girl! I didn’t either for a while haha I used to use the names interchangeably.. you learn something new everyday. I encourage you to try cacao if you’re a chocolate fan.. it’s so so good, it has a deeper richer chocolately taste and it’s better for you! 😛

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