Creamy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe

This post is sponsored by milkadamia. All views are honest and are my own.

When I started this blog many moons ago, I asked my readers which dairy ingredient they struggled with replacing the most as a new vegan.

Coffee creamer was one of the top answers.

I even remember some of my readers saying they missed coffee creamer more than cow’s cheese.

It was hard to find quality creamer back in the day!

I was vegan for several years before I even saw plant-based creamer on grocery store shelves.

These days, it’s much easier to enjoy thick and delicious creamer like milkadamia.

milkadamia creamers are made from macadamia nuts and other simple ingredients, has no weird aftertaste, and their flavor is neutral in recipes because macadamia nuts have a milder flavor and texture compared to other nut-based creamers.

When milkadamia reached out to me to show y’all their new flavored creamers, I didn’t want to just mix it in coffee or tea (my favorite).

Instead, I wanted to make a creamy drink recipe that even non-coffee drinkers can enjoy.

I’ve never met anyone who doesn’t enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate. The creamy texture and warm chocolate taste are guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Creamy Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 cups plant-based milk (I used unsweetened milkadamia)

• 1 cup milkadamia creamer

• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

• 1/4 cup granulated cane sugar

• 1/2 cup semisweet vegan chocolate chips (I used the Wegmans brand)

• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• Toppings (optional): vegan whipped cream, vegan marshmallows, or dark chocolate pieces

Makes 4 cups

Instructions:

• In a medium saucepan, whisk in plant-based milk, creamer, cocoa powder, and sugar on medium-low heat.

• Whisk frequently until warm (not boiling).

• Once warm, add in chocolate chips and continue to whisk until they melt.

• Stir in vanilla extract and serve the hot chocolate immediately.

Recipe inspired by Celebrating Sweets

What’s your favorite hot chocolate topping?

I love vegan whipped cream and chopped chocolate pieces.

Enjoy!

Want Your Kids to Drink Green Smoothies? Check Out These Tips

I just had to snap a quick pic of Elijah drinking a green smoothie while he was catching up on YouTube vids.

I remember when he wouldn't even drink them!

Today he's loving this one with kale, mango & banana.

Green smoothies are a perfect way to get your picky eater to get more vegetables into his/her diet.

You can use raw spinach, swiss chard, lettuce, kale and other green leafy greens that are packed with high in dietary fiber, and rich in folic acid, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium.

💥Tips to get your kids to drink green smoothies💥

• Use spinach and Swiss chard instead of kale to start since those vegetables aren't as strong in a smoothie.
• Also, use less greens and more fruit in the beginning -- then gradually add more greens as they get used to it.
• For younger kids, (who won't drink because of the GREEN color), use a plastic cup with a lid and straw instead of a glass, so they can't see it.😂😂
• Use blueberries as your fruit to hide the green color

Just in case you're interested, here's the smoothie combination I used for the one Elijah is drinking above:

1/2 cup of water

1 cup kale

1 medium ripe banana

1 cup frozen mango

Blend until smooth. Add more water, if necessary.

Enjoy!

Share your own smoothie tips in the comments!

Vegan Root Beer Float Recipe

Root beer float was one of my favorite childhood treats, so when Jason (my oldest son) asked for one, you already know I had to make it vegan.

 

Watch it below......

Root Beer Float

by Brown Vegan

Keywords: dessert vegan vegetarian nut-free summer spring

Ingredients (1 float)

• 12 oz of root beer
• 2 scoops vegan vanilla ice cream (I used So Delicious brand in the video)

Instructions

Pour root beer into a tall glass.

Scoop in ice cream.

Mix together root beer & ice cream with a straw or spoon.

Enjoy!

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Another reason I made this video, is to show that you can make nearly anything vegan.

You should eat as many whole ingredients as possible, but it's always good to know that you can still enjoy familiar and simple vegan treats.

The options are truly endless!

Let me know what you think once you try the recipe.

What are some of your favorite childhood desserts/treats?

Easiest Way to Get Kids to Drink More Water - Infuse It, Baby!

We all know how important it is to drink lots of water but....sometimes it's easier said than done.

Maybe your kids find water boring, so they prefer juice or soda over it. I know I did as a kid.

The easiest way to get your kids to drink more water (maybe you need more motivation, too lol) is by infusing it with frozen or fresh fruit!

In the short Instagram video below, I share a quick tutorial using about 3 cups of frozen berries, mango and pineapple and about 8 cups of water.

Click the play button below to watch....

A video posted by Monique (@brownvegan) on Jun 1, 2016 at 12:21pm PDT

I got the glass water dispenser from Bed Bath & Beyond last summer and it's a perfect additional to any kitchen counter.

Depending on how long the water sits (which usually isn't too long for us), I use the fruit in a smoothie later.

Another one of our favorite water combinations is cucumber slices, strawberries and mint -- so refreshing!

You can also just add fruit to your kids' water bottle for school and in your own cup before heading to work.

 

What your favorite infused water combination? 

Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe

The snow is still here (*side eye*), so I wanted to share a simple hot chocolate recipe that I enjoy with the fam.

You only need cocoa powder, raw sugar, salt, almond milk and vanilla extract to make this recipe.
I usually top ours with lots of marshmallows because I go overboard with everything. lol

Speaking of marshmallows, did you know the conventional ones aren't vegan? 

They're actually made out of pig skin and bones. Nasty, right?

No worries-You can easily buy vegan ones from Whole Foods and Amazon (I've seen about 3 brands out there) or just skip the marshmallows. I purchased ours from a local health food store and used the Dandies brand.

Let me know what you think when you try the recipe. :-)

Stay warm...unless you're on a beach or something. If that's the case get offline and have some fun. :-)

Click below to watch the video.....

Hot Chocolate

by Brown Vegan

Keywords: beverage vegan vegetarian

Ingredients (2 coffee mugs)

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup raw sugar (you may want to add more sugar if you don't like a bitter hot chocolate)
• Pinch of salt
• 2 cups of almond milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

In a saucepan, whisk together the cocoa powder raw sugar, salt and 2 tbsp of the almond milk.

Warm for about 3 mins on med-lo heat.

Then add in the remaining almond milk.

Increase the heat to medium and whisk occasionally until hot.

Remove from heat and mix in vanilla extract.

If you prefer a frothy hot chocolate, blend for a few seconds in a blender.

Serve with vegan marshamallows

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Recipe adapted from Epicurious