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Creamy Coconut Hot Chocolate complete with snowman marshmallows, because…’tis the season! Steamed coconut milk, sweet chocolate, hints of coconut, and flavored with real vanilla. This cocoa is creamy, rich, perfectly sweet, and best enjoyed with a large helping of whipped cream and a side of snowman marshmallows. Perfect for sipping while trimming the tree. And the best part? This recipe is SIMPLE, with only six pantry staple ingredients.
The coziest mug of hot cocoa…for your Black Friday lounging…of course!
Hoping you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families!! I know so many of you made recipes from HBH. I’ve been loving taking a peek at your dishes on Instagram. It’s always so fun to see what everyone is making!! I’m feeling extra thankful for you all today!!
And to thank you for your support? A mug of delicious steaming hot cocoa!
I have to admit, I spent a lot of time thinking about what would be the perfect post to share with you all today. I went back and forth with a few ideas, as I always do. But in the end, my heart set on this sweet mug of hot chocolate. It’s the best way to officially welcome in the holiday season, and all the decorating, holiday music, baking, and time with friends and family that’s to come.
It’s also especially perfect if you happen to be trimming the tree and decking the halls today like I am. Yes, I’m skipping the Black Friday crowds and instead, spending the day inside decorating. I’m much more of a Cyber Monday person anyway!
Here’s the story behind this coconut hot cocoa…
First, it started with a picture in my head. I wanted so badly to create the creamiest mug of hot chocolate for the coziest season. Something that felt decadent, but wasn’t overly sweet or heavy. Enter in canned coconut milk, the key ingredient to my extra creamy hot cocoa.
You can use lite or regular coconut milk, either way, you’ll get the creamiest hot chocolate that’s perfectly hinted with coconut. It’s not overpowering but instead is subtle and delicious.
In addition to the coconut milk, you’ll need real maple syrup, cocoa, semi-sweet or dark chocolate, and vanilla. All pantry staples. All delicious when combined together.
Mix all the ingredients in a pot and warm until steaming. Then just ladle into mugs…
But first, you’ll need snowman marshmallows…
Yes, snowman marshmallows. They are the cutest little dudes, the easiest to create, and you do indeed need them.
I will admit that for the everyday mug of hot chocolate, I skip the marshmallows. To be honest, they’ve never been my favorite as they are pretty sweet. But as with most things, they have their time and place. And if there’s ever a time to indulge, it’s now.
So, I give you these cute little snowman marshmallows. They consist of three regular old marshmallows, a pretzel stick, melted chocolate, one sprig of rosemary, and a sweet mini meringue cookie. That’s it. Simply thread the marshmallows onto the pretzel sticks, add a face and buttons with melted chocolate, tie on a “rosemary” scarf, and then finish him off with a peppermint top hat.
So easy, so cute, so fun…and so delicious in your coconut hot chocolate.
Each mug of warm cocoa is thick, creamy, perfectly sweet, and heavy on the chocolate. One thing to keep in mind though, the hot chocolate itself is not overly sweet. Personally, I usually make it even less sweet by omitting the maple syrup and only using the chocolate to sweeten things up. If you can handle a less sweet mug of hot cocoa, I’d recommenced only adding the maple syrup to your taste. If you’ll be adding the marshmallows, remember that those will also sweeten this up quite a bit. So be sure to adjust the maple syrup to your preferred taste!
Question: are you more of a whipped cream or marshmallow person when it comes to hot chocolate? Or are you both? I’m all about whipped cream…except in December…the month you just go with BOTH.
So what’s your pick? Whipped cream? Marshmallows? Both?
A few notes…
You can easily make this vegan by using vegan chocolate chips and vegan marshmallows.
If you’d like to make this in the slow cooker, that works well too. I’ve given you those directions as well!
And finally, if you need something sweet to warm things up today (or anytime this coming December), make this hot chocolate. It’s universally loved by all, no matter their age.
PS. if you’re looking for a vanilla mocha hot cocoa, try this!
If you make this creamy coconut hot chocolate, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Creamy Coconut Hot Chocolate
Servings: 4
Calories Per Serving: 1082 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups canned coconut milk (about 3 full cans)
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup real maple syrup using more or less to taste
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch flaky salt
- coconut whipped cream, for serving
- grated cinnamon or chocolate shavings (optional)
Snowman Marshmallows
- regular marshmallows
- pretzel sticks
- rosemary sprigs
- melted chocolate
- peppermint meringue cookies
Instructions
Stove-Top
- 1. Add the coconut milk, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of salt to a large pot. Place the pot over medium low heat until the milk is scalding, but not boiling. Be sure to stir the pot often to make sure nothing is sticking to the bottom and burning.2. Once the hot cocoa is steaming, ladle into mugs, dollop with whipped cream, and top with marshmallows, if desired. Drink and enjoy!
Slow Cooker
- 1. Add the coconut milk, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and a pinch of salt to the bowl of your crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally. Switch to warm until ready to serve, up to 2 more hours.
Snowman Marshmallows
- 1. Slide 1 marshmallow onto the middle of a pretzel stick. Press another marshmallow onto the bottom end of the pretzel stick. Tie the rosemary sprig around the top portion to the pretzel, then slide another marshmallow onto the pretzel to secure the rosemary. You should have 3 pretzels lined up with a "rosemary scarf". Lay the snowman down flat on a parchment lined baking sheet (see above photos).2. Spoon the melted chocolate into a small ziplock bag and snip a very small portion of the corner off. Using the chocolate, draw the snowman, eyes, a nose, a smile, and buttons. Dollop a small amount of melted chocolate on top of the snowman's head. Press a meringue cookie into the chocolate. Chill in the fridge until the chocolate is firm, 10 minutes. 3. Use the marshmallows however you please! They keep well in a sealed container for up to a month. If storing longer than a day, skip the rosemary.
What can i replace the maple syrup with? I am in norway and real maple syrup is crazy expensive! Also, full fat coconut cream or can a lighter version work as well?
Hey Mili,
You can skip the maple syrup and yes a lighter version will work as well. I hope you love the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions and Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Canned coconut milk is always separated do you mix it or pour off the water?
Hey Cheryl,
I mix it up. I hope you love the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions and Happy Holidays! xTieghan
These look fun and sound perfect after night sledding. May I ask where you find the right sized peppermint meringue cookies?
TYFS, Cheers!
Hey Cathleen,
I found mine at Whole Foods, but any local grocery store should have them. I hope you love the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions and Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Curious if you can add alcohol to this and if so how you would adjust the recipe? I think it would be so fun for a holiday party! Looks delicious either way and I love your recipes!
Hey Tina,
I think adding Kahlua or hazelnut liquor would be great here! I hope you love the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions and Happy Holidays! xTieghan
A delicious hot chocolate recipe! Super easy to make in the slow cooker, and I like that this isn’t too sweet. It is definitely creamy, and something you can sip as a dessert. I also found that the coconut wasn’t overpowering at all; I barely tasted it. Definitely a keeper!
Thank you so much Corrie! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Hi! Such a cute recipe. What would you recommend to make this a spiked drink? Going to try this week 🙂
Hey Jenna,
I think vodka or rum would work well here. I hope you love the recipe, Happy Thanksgiving! xTieghan
ok this is crazy delicious and so so easy. maybe too easy since I’ve made it now twice in two days. thank you, as always, for easy and impressive recipes everyone loves!!
I am so happy this turned out so well for you, Lindsey! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi- This looks delicious!
Which brand of canned coconut do you recommend?
Also- if there is extra, will it be ok to store in the refrigerator for a few days?
Looking forward to making this! ❤️
Hey Kristen,
I like to use Thrive Market or Thai Kitchen canned coconut milk and yes you can keep leftovers in the fridge. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Do you (or anyone who has tried this!) think that white chocolate chips would be a good sub?
Hey Payton,
Sure that will work. I hope you enjoy the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan
Hi I love your creamy coconut chocolate cocoa decadent drinks oh to die for I can’t wait to make them and the marshmallow men are so cute for winter time and eggnog for Xmas lovely thankyou.
Thank you so much Annalita! xTieghan
Hi! I might have missed this. Do you mind sharing your recipe for the coconut whipped cream?
Hi Andrea! Linked below. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you!! xTieghan
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/toasted-coconut-cream-rum-chocolate-mousse-crepe-cake/#bo-recipe
Wondering where you got the cups to go with the cocoa. It’s all so yummy. Please share if you can.
HI! Linked to the mugs below. Some are sold out, but these are similar. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you and Happy New Year! xTieghan
https://rstyle.me/+JawpxdfmQRy26tbDO36Cyw
Someone please break this down for one serving. Please
Hi Jeannine! I will leave it below! I hope you love this! xTieghan
1.13 cups canned coconut milk (about 3 full cans)
0.13 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
0.06 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
0.06 cup real maple syrup using more or less to taste
0.25 tablespoon vanilla extract
0.25 pinch flaky salt
coconut whipped cream, for serving
grated cinnamon or chocolate shavings (optional)
SNOWMAN MARSHMALLOWS
regular marshmallows
pretzel sticks
rosemary sprigs
melted chocolate
peppermint meringue cookies
I need to try this I’m salivating just thinking about the coconut in some decadent chocolate! And those marshmallow men are adorable!
Thank you so much Sammer! xTieghan
I love this hot chocolate recipe! Looking forward to trying many more. Can you tell me the maker of the cups and where you purchased them? Thank you!
Hi Debby! The cups are by Polish Pottery Boleslawiec. I hope you love this recipe! xTieghan