hazelnut hot chocolate

This isn't just any old hot chocolate. It's basically like drinking chocolate.

Actually, it's like drinking Nutella. I'm not Nutella obsessed like everyone else on the internet. But this hazelnut hot chocolate is a perfect holiday or winter treat that's family friendly... meaning no booze!

The recipe is below, but if you need booze-filled drink ideas watch the video too for inspo. It includes recipes for vegan nog and Baileys Irish Cream (gone vegan)! Or you can add booze to this hot chocolate. There are no rules! 

Get the recipe for my coconut whip here! It's delicious on top of any of these fun, festive drinks. 

hazelnut hot chocolate

This is a creamy and rich chocolatey hazelnut drink that will keep you cozy! 

4.50 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks

Keyword: hazelnut, holiday, hot chocolate, vegan hot chocolate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes minutes

soaking: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 4

Author: Lauren Toyota

Ingredients

hazelnut hot chocolate

• ▢ 1 C raw hazelnuts, soaked for 20 minutes in hot water or overnight in cool water
• ▢ 3 C filtered water
• ▢ ½ C chopped sweetened vegan chocolate or vegan chocolate chips (if using unsweetened chocolate, just adjust the sugar to your taste)
• ▢ ½ C coconut sugar
• ▢ 2 tablespoon raw cacao powder
• ▢ ⅛ teaspoon sea salt

toppings

• ▢ vegan marshmallows
• ▢ coconut whip

Instructions

• Drain and rinse the hazelnuts from the soaking water, then add to a high powered blender with filtered water. Blend until completely smooth and milky looking. If you've never made nut milk before, keep in mind you need a high powered blender like a Vitamix in order to get the nuts blended thoroughly. 
• Strain by hand through a nut milk bag, a double layer of cheesecloth, or you can use a pair of cheap brand new panty hose. Cut one leg off! Pour the milk through whatever you're using over a large bowl and squeeze out the liquid by hand until the pulp is dry and there is no more liquid left.
  
• Over medium low heat, add the chocolate, sugar, cacao powder, sea salt and about 1 cup of the hazelnut milk to a large sauce pan and whisk constantly until it melts and is smooth. Then add in the rest of the hazelnut milk and bring to a low simmer. Heat it through and serve hot with marshmallows or coconut whip on top!