Spiced Coconut Hot Chocolate

🕒 Prep: 5 min
🔥 Cook: 5 min
🍽 Serves: 4
★★★★★
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Warm up those chilly days with a delightful twist on a winter classic: Spiced Coconut Hot Chocolate. This recipe brings a cozy mix of coconut and spices, perfect for curling up with a good book or sharing with friends.

Ingredients for Spiced Coconut Hot Chocolate

Coconut milk gives the hot chocolate its rich, creamy base and a subtle coconut flavor. Using water helps balance the richness without diluting the taste. The unsweetened cocoa powder provides the essential chocolate flavor while coconut sugar adds a caramel-like sweetness that complements the spices. A dash of cinnamon and nutmeg introduces warm, aromatic notes, and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper gives a surprising hint of heat, rounding out the flavors. The vanilla extract ties everything together, and a pinch of sea salt enhances all the flavors. For an optional creamy finish, whipped coconut cream and toasted coconut flakes can be used as toppings.

Tips & Tricks

  • Adjust the cayenne pepper to suit your heat preference — a little goes a long way.
  • Ensure your cocoa powder is unsweetened for the best control over the sweetness level.
  • To toast coconut flakes, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5–7 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.

Serving Suggestions

This spiced coconut hot chocolate pairs wonderfully with a slice of banana bread or a handful of roasted nuts. It's also a great companion for a cozy movie night or a holiday gathering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different milk alternative?
Yes, you can substitute almond milk or oat milk, but the coconut milk gives the richest result.
What if I don't have coconut sugar?
Brown sugar or maple syrup can work as alternatives, but they will slightly alter the flavor profile.
How can I make this recipe vegan?
It’s already vegan if you use coconut cream instead of dairy whipped cream.

Spiced Coconut Hot Chocolate Recipe Walkthrough

Start by grabbing a medium-sized saucepan and place it on your stove over medium heat. Pour in the coconut milk and water. This combination will provide the perfect creamy base without being overly thick.

Next, whisk in the cocoa powder, coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of sea salt. Make sure you whisk them well so that the cocoa powder dissolves completely and the spices are evenly distributed. This step is key to avoiding any clumps and ensuring a smooth drink.

Once everything is mixed, bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Keep stirring occasionally. This is where the magic happens as the heat allows all the flavors to meld beautifully together.

As soon as it starts to simmer, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract at this point. The heat will help release the vanilla's aroma without cooking off its delicate flavor.

Pour the hot chocolate into your favorite mugs. If you want to go all out, top each mug with a dollop of whipped coconut cream and a sprinkle of toasted coconut flakes. These optional toppings add a lovely texture and extra coconut flavor.

Serve immediately while it’s still warm and inviting. Enjoy!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Rich, creamy texture thanks to coconut milk.
  • Unique blend of spices adds warmth and depth.
  • Naturally sweetened with coconut sugar for a healthier treat.
  • Easy to make in under 15 minutes.

Ingredients

2 cups coconut milk
1 cup water
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup coconut sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground cayenne pepper
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt
Whipped coconut cream, for serving (optional)
Toasted coconut flakes, for garnish (optional)

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine coconut milk and water over medium heat.
2. Whisk in cocoa powder, coconut sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and a pinch of sea salt until well combined.
3. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally.
4. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
5. Pour hot chocolate into mugs and top with whipped coconut cream and toasted coconut flakes if desired.
6. Serve immediately.

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