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Decadent Healthy Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

A delicious homemade fall treat!  Steaming hot, rich, almond milk spiced with fresh pumpkin, cocoa, cinnamon, maple, and vanilla that’s satisfyingly creamy, sweet, and spiced.  Made from scratch without a hot chocolate mix.

pumpkin spice hot chocolate in a brown mug

Welcome Fall!  Time for all things pumpkin.  🙂

Last week I finally admitted to myself that it was the fall season.  Summer has disappeared as school has started in full swing, the nights are getting cooler, and the schedules have become busier and busier.  It’s always hard for me to say goodbye to summer but once I’m finally ready to admit it’s over, I start to pivot to what is wonderful about autumn.  One of the best parts for me is enjoying a mugful of something warm and comforting to drink.  This recipe IS decadent but healthy enough to enjoy often.  When it’s too late for coffee and tea just won’t cut it…I make this delicious hot chocolate recipe.

Pumpkin hot chocolate is a delicious and cozy beverage with a combination of pumpkin, and unsweetened cocoa powder for the rich, chocolatey flavor of hot cocoa plus the warm, maple, and cinnamon. This is the perfect treat for fall or winter cold nights, and its creamy texture and spicy aroma make it a favorite among dessert lovers.

foamy hot chocoate with pumpkin

reamy texture and spicy aroma make it a favorite among dessert lovers.

How to Make Healthy Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

To make pumpkin hot chocolate, you start with a base of almond milk and cocoa powder and then add in pumpkin puree and flavors like cinnamon and vanilla. The pumpkin adds a subtle sweetness and earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with the chocolate, while the spices provide a warm and comforting aroma.  

A few simple pantry ingredients come together quickly to create this recipe
Here’s what you need:

  • Cocoa Powder-Unsweetened, just the stuff you keep for baking
  • Almond Milk – We like unsweetened almond milk in our house, but any original or vanilla flavor will do.  You could also use oat milk or whole milk if you prefer.  Any of these options make for a delicious and creamy hot chocolate
  • Real Pumpkin Puree – Just straight-up pumpkin puree, not pumpkin pie filling.  This is a great way to use leftover pumpkin that you might have from other pumpkin recipes.
  • Real Maple Syrup – Usually local is best for finding one with a good flavor, but I also buy it at Costco when I can’t buy local
  • Vanilla Extract – Beacause…yum!
  • Cinnamon –1 tsp…trust me it’s delicious!  What is pumpkin without spice after all?
  • Sea Salt – just a small pinch will do.

Instructions

How to make pumpkin hot chocolate the easy way:

  • On the stove in a small saucepan, whisk together the milk, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, cocoa, maple syrup, vanilla, and pinch of salt.
  • Heat over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. Whisk and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat, and cool a little until ready to serve, with a dollop of whipped cream, mini marshmallows, or chocolate shavings.  Then enjoy your homemade hot chocolate!
  • If you have any leftover hot chocolate store in an airtight container for 2-3 days.  Just reheat when you’re ready to drink.

You can also adjust the sweetness and spice level to your liking, depending on how much maple syrup you add, making it as rich and indulgent as you desire.  Also a shot of espresso would be great in this rich hot chocolate for kind of a pumpkin mocha vibe.

Pumpkin hot chocolate is not only a delicious fall treat, but this version is a healthier alternative to traditional hot chocolate.  Pumpkin is high in fiber and nutrients like vitamin A and potassium. Maple syrup is the only sweetener in this recipe instead of sugar which is a common ingredient in hot chocolate.  Plus, the combination of chocolate and pumpkin can provide a mood-boosting effect, making it a great hot drink on a chilly day.

Get out your fuzzy socks and flannel, build a fire, grab a good book, and enjoy your new favorite fall drink!  

pumpkin hot chocolate in a mug

Recipe Card

Decadent Healthy Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

Servings 2 people

Ingredients

  • Cups Almond Milk Any milk would be fine we just prefer almond milk with this recipe
  • 1/4 Cup Pumpkin Puree
  • 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
  • 3 TBS Cocoa
  • 5 TBS Maple Syrup
  • 1/4 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch Salt

Instructions

  • On the stove in a small sauce pan, whisk together the milk, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, cocoa, maple syrup, vanilla, and pinch of salt.
  • Heat over medium heat until it comes to a simmer. Whisk and cook for 2 minutes.
  • Remove from the heat, and cool until ready to serve, with a dollop of whipped cream or marshmallows.

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