Vegan Pumpkin Hot Chocolate [Date-Sweetened]

Name: Vegan Pumpkin Hot Chocolate [Date-Sweetened]
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 3/4 cups (675 ml) plant-based milk; 1/2 cup (125 g) pumpkin puree; 5-7 (55 - 75 g) medjool dates; 3 tbsp (20 g) cocoa powder; 1/2 - 1 tsp cinnamon; 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

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Sweetened with dates and packed with comforting, warm flavors, this creamy, vegan hot chocolate with pumpkin is sure to become your favorite drink during the cold season.

Fall is pumpkin season, and what better way to warm up on chilly days than with a hot drink? If you love pumpkin as much as I do and fancy something sweet but don't fancy refined sugar, then this vegan pumpkin hot chocolate is for you!

Naturally sweetened with dates and packed with the comforting, warm aromas of cinnamon and cocoa powder, this creamy hot chocolate with pumpkin is sure to quickly become your new favorite drink in autumn.

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Ingredients
Tipps
Sweet Treats To Serve It With
FAQ
Recipe
Comments

In case you haven't noticed yet: I'm crazy for pumpkin! Whether it's pumpkin bread, pumpkin spice latte or pumpkin overnight oats- as soon as autumn arrives, I'll be eating pumpkin in every conceivable variation (predominantly sweet recipes).

And as I'm sitting here typing this recipe, I'm happily sipping my healthy pumpkin hot chocolate - one more sip and I think I'm slowly turning into a pumpkin myself!

This vegan pumpkin hot chocolate without sugar is a surprisingly delicious combination of warm plant milk, creamy pumpkin puree, tart cocoa powder and a hint of cinnamon. The medjool dates naturally sweeten the drink and give it a light caramel note that goes perfectly with the pumpkin.

Then there are the health benefits: Pumpkin is rich in fiber, vitamins and antioxidants. Dates provide a natural energy boost and contain numerous minerals such as potassium and magnesium. An all-round nourishing drink!

healthy hot chocolate vegan with pumpkin

Ingredients

You only need a handful (+one) of ingredients for this cozy drink.

Plant-based milk - Use a variety of your choice. I've tried it with both oat and pea milk.
Pumpkin puree - Use canned or homemade pumpkin puree.
Medjool dates - Other types of dates also work great. I prefer Medjool dates in this recipe because of their wonderful caramel flavor.
Cocoa powder - Make sure it is unsweetened. You can also use cacao.
Vanilla extract - Not a must, but I think cocoa and vanilla go really well together. I use a bourbon vanilla extract. Alternatively, you can also use vanilla poweder.
Ceylon cinnamon - This is also optional, but adds even more spice and goes well with the pumpkin.

Now there's not much left to say. Ideally, you already have all the ingredients waiting for you in your pantry. Put everything in the blender, blend and then heat - and sip away!

Tipps

For an ultra-creamy experience, replace ⅓ to ½ of the plant-milk with canned coconut milk.
For special moments: Top your hot chocolate with a dollop of vegan whipped cream or a few vegan marshmallows.
If you don't have a high-speed blender, cut the dates into smaller pieces and soak them in boiling water for approx. 10 minutes before blending. Alternatively, you can also use date sugar and stir the ingredients together directly in the pot.
Depending on which plant-milk you use, you may need to add more or fewer dates. Oat milk, for example, is very sweet, whereas soy milk is hardly sweet at all.
If necessary, use gluten-free plant milk, e.g. a pea-based variety.
Fancy even more spice? Then add about ¼ teaspoon of ginger powder and a pinch of nutmeg.

Sweet Treats To Serve It With

Here's a selection of sweet nibbles that go perfectly with the pumpkin hot chocolate:

hot chocolate recipe without sugar vegan

FAQ

Can I use other types of dates as well?

You sure can! I prefer Medjool dates in this recipe because of their caramelly flavor. However, you can also use Deglet Nour dates, for example, or alternatively use date sugar which is simply powdered dates.

How do I store leftovers?

You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you then get a craving for hot chocolate, stir and heat up the desired amount in a small pot or the microwave.

I don't have a high-speed blender - what now?

If you don't have a powerful blender or just an immersion blender, cut the dates into smaller pieces and soak them in boiling water for about 10 minutes before blending until smooth. Alternatively, you can also use date sugar. In this case, all you need to do is stir all the ingredients together in a saucepan.

I hope you’ll give this healthy vegan hot chocolate recipe with pumpkin a try. If you love this recipe, be sure to leave a comment, rate the recipe and tag me on instagram (#veggiejam) with your recreation.

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