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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.
BEST hot chocolate EVER
Thank you for this amazing recipe!
Hey Megin,
I am so glad you enjoyed the recipe, thanks so much for giving it a try! Have a great week:) xTieghan
The hot chocolate looks wonderful. But the mugs! Where did you get those?
Hey Leslie,
Thanks so much, sorry these mugs are old from Crate and Barrel. I hope you love the recipe. Please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This recipe was delicious and very easy to make. Fabulous for the holidays!
Hey Rachel,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Can you store in fridge? Just heat up a cup when “thirsty”?
For how long could it be stored in fridge?
Since it is quite a bit if having a “ virtual party” ?thanks Ilona
P.s so cute looking and mouth watering
Hey Ilona,
Yes, you can store this in the fridge, I would keep for no longer than a week. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This is such a creamy version of hot chocolate. I loved the coconut milk! If you don’t have bittersweet chocolate chips, milk chocolate is just fine. Snowmen are ADORABLE.
Hey Kristi,
Thanks so much for giving the recipe a try, I am thrilled that it worked out for you! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
The mugs are no longer available and I was (on the slight chance) wondering if you might be willing to sell me one? Thank you so much.
Hey Kim,
So sorry these mugs are not for sale:) Happy Holidays! xTieghan
This hot chocolate is the best. Like seriously, truly, the best. It reminds me of the hot ganache they serve at The Ganachery in Disney Springs. This is my “secret recipe” hot chocolate now and people always want it. Thank you for this recipe!
Hey Lauren,
Wow! Thank you! I am so glad you have enjoyed this recipe:) Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Would you happen to know where I might find the mugs you used? I love them!!!
Hey Kim,
The mugs are old from Crate and Barrel. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
what kind of coconut milk should i use? I mean fat percentage? we have a coconut milk drink in our store. there is also canned coconut milk, 19% fat, it becomes solid when it cools.
Hey Aleska,
I used full fat coconut milk. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! Happy Holidays! xTieghan
I did not need a full recipe of hot chocolate so I made one third. It’s not the easiest recipe to reduce so for anyone else looking to make using only one can of coconut milk here are the measurements I used:
1 (13.5 fl oz) can full fat, unsweetened coconut milk
30 grams (2 heaping Tablespoons) bittersweet chocolate chips
8 grams (2 1/2 teaspoons) unsweetened natural cocoa powder
28 grams (1 Tablespoon) maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
*I omitted the salt.
I didn’t think it was going to be enough chocolate but it was really the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had! One can coconut milk is about 1.5 cups and I served as three 1/2 cup servings with a LOT of whipped cream (from a can). It was just the right amount to warm us up after sledding. Thanks Tieghan
Thanks so much for sharing Heather!! xTieghan
This hot chocolate is so decadent… and by far the best cup I’ve ever made in my life. Wow. Thanks for blessing us with this Tiegan.
Yes! I am so happy you loved this recipe, JoLynn! Thank you for trying it! xTieghan
I made the caramel with coconut milk from your caramel latte recipe, and then used the caramel with the rest of the can of coconut milk (and some almond milk) for this hot chocolate! This reminds me of the thick, creamy hot chocolate in Italy! Definitely making some for Christmas eve!
Thank you so much Lola! I am really glad this recipe turned out so well for you! xTieghan
This is the perfect homemade hot chocolate! It’s rich without being heavy, and the maple syrup balances the bitterness of the cocoa so well!! It’s even better with one shot of vodka and coconut whipped cream! Definitely will be making this a winter staple!
Thank you so much Emily! I am really glad you enjoyed this! xTieghan
Hello- I am wondering where you got the mug this hot chocolate was photographed in- so lovely! Thank you!
Hey Juliet,
This mug is from Crate and Barrel, it is old so I do not have a link. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions. Happy Holidays! xTieghan
Super creamy and delicious!! Extra bonus that it’s dairy free — thank you!! ?
Thank you so much Eva! xTieghan