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    Home » Recipes » Smoothies & Drinks

    Thick and Creamy Hot Vanilla (Dairy-Free, Vegan, Paleo)

    Published: Oct 18, 2013 · Modified: Oct 6, 2017 by Lauren · This post may contain affiliate links · 20 Comments

    Jump to Recipe  ↓

    Say hello to hot chocolate's angelic counterpart...

    wc22

    I'm attempting to abstain from chocolate for a bit, so I've had to get a bit more creative with other flavors in the kitchen.

    wc44

    I recently concocted a healthier marshmallow recipe (using part maple syrup and part stevia). Naturally, I needed a hot and rich drink in which to drown them, but since my husband has a sensitive stomach and chocolate is one of his biggest offenders, I thought this liquid refreshment would be a perfect substitute, as he loves vanilla.

    wc00

    While hot chocolate is difficult to surpass in its culinary excellence, this little beverage makes a great alternative for those who have allergy difficulty with cocoa powder or for children. It also makes a great nightcap because there's no caffeine to stimulate you and it can be made to be sugar-free, if desired.

    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Thick and Creamy Hot Vanilla (Dairy-Free, Vegan, Paleo)

    Prep Time5 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Total Time10 mins
    Servings: 1 cup
    Calories: 75kcal
    Author: Lauren Goslin

    Ingredients

    • 1 c. non-dairy milk of choice divided
    • 1 t. arrowroot
    • 2 t. maple syrup or honey or about 8-10 drops stevia
    • ¾ t. vanilla extract
    • 5 drops stevia or another teaspoon of sweetener
    • dashes of cinnamon and nutmeg about 1/8 teaspoon of each or to taste

    Instructions

    • Add 1/2 cup of milk to a saucepan, and begin to heat the milk over medium-low heat.
    • Whisk the other 1/2 cup of milk with the arrowroot in a separate bowl.
    • Add sweetener along with the milk/arrowroot mixture to the saucepan and stir to combine.
    • Continue stirring the mix over medium high heat for about 3-5 minutes until it begins to thicken.
    • Once thickened, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
    • Top with a handful of healthy marshmallows and enjoy!

    Notes

    Nutrition facts are based using unsweetened almond milk, two teaspoons of maple syrup and 5 drops of liquid stevia. Weight Watchers points (new system): 2

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1g | Sodium: 182mg | Sugar: 8.3g | Fiber: 1.2g | Calories: 75kcal | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.6g | Fat: 2.6g | Protein: 1.1g | Carbohydrates: 10.9g

    This is really delicious with freshly grated spices over the top (especially the nutmeg).

    wc55

    This recipe is probably putting the cart before the horse in terms of the marshmallows, but I will have  a recipe for them up soon for those of you that were interested. 🙂 They make a great addition to this drink and are delicious for snacking on, teehee.

    wc11

    What's your favorite cold weather treat?

    Shared with: Healthy Vegan Friday, Healing with Food Friday

     

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    Filed Under: Smoothies & Drinks

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Heather Barnes

      November 11, 2019 at 11:12 am

      What does the arrowroot power do? is there a sub?

      BTW thank you for this recipe. I have bad stomach issues and it's now getting cold so this is perfect!!!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        November 14, 2019 at 9:19 am

        Hi Heather,

        The arrowroot serves as a thickener...you could sub cornstarch or tapioca starch.

        Reply
    2. w

      February 24, 2018 at 11:43 am

      Is "t" a teaspoon or a tablespoon?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        February 24, 2018 at 12:10 pm

        Teaspoon 🙂

        Reply
    3. Jabelle

      October 31, 2015 at 5:43 pm

      Thanks for the recipe! I just tried it and my brother and I loves it!

      Reply
      • Lauren

        November 01, 2015 at 12:38 pm

        That's great Jabelle, thanks for the comment!

        Reply
    4. Marianne

      January 31, 2014 at 6:23 pm

      I've made this recipe many times since you posted it. This time, I tried cardamom instead of the nutmeg. Still super yummy. This is my new go to comfort drink.

      Reply
      • Lauren

        January 31, 2014 at 6:35 pm

        That's awesome Marianne! I'm so happy you like it (and that the pancakes went over well). 😀

        Reply
    5. Jennifer at Purposeful Nutrition

      October 26, 2013 at 2:41 pm

      I have to admit I never thought of hot vanilla before; only hot chocolate. I do like vanilla flavor though and I am sure this would be quite delicious. Thanks for sharing at Healing With Food FRiday.

      Reply
    6. Paul Quin

      October 25, 2013 at 5:13 am

      The thick & creamy hot vanilla recipe presents honey as an option.
      You shouldn't call the recipe vegan then, even though you're mentioning maple syrup as well.

      Honey is not vegan!

      See here:
      Good overview: http://bit.ly/19m4vbP
      Peta, but what about honey? http://bit.ly/1bvGH9a
      Why honey is not vegan: http://bit.ly/17bB91a
      The Vegan Society: http://bit.ly/13LDL1T
      3 Reason not to eat honey: http://bit.ly/11YhNt8

      Reply
      • Lauren

        October 25, 2013 at 8:10 am

        I'm well aware that honey isn't vegan Paul, hence the maple syrup option.

        Reply
    7. Marianne @ Ragdoll Kitchen

      October 24, 2013 at 3:40 pm

      I made this and we loved it! Thanks again for posting this treat 😀

      Reply
      • Lauren

        October 25, 2013 at 8:11 am

        That's great Marianne, thanks for the comment! 🙂

        Reply
    8. jodye @ whole pure recipes

      October 22, 2013 at 6:25 pm

      I honestly love vanilla so much more than chocolate most of the time, but whenever I try to take chocolate out of my diet altogether, I find myself wanting it much, much more... go figure! This hot vanilla sounds so amazing though! I'd take this over hot chocolate any day!

      Reply
    9. Hannah@ACaseOfWanderlust

      October 19, 2013 at 10:35 pm

      You have no idea how happy this makes me! I have always disliked hot chocolate, but this I could deal with! Taiwan won't be needing warm comfort, but the second I'm back in the States, I'm going to be making this!

      Reply
    10. Medha

      October 19, 2013 at 3:23 pm

      This drink looks so tempting and delicious. I am surely going to try this soon. What can I use instead of arrowroot? I tried before in couple of stores but no luck. Where can i find it?

      Reply
      • Lauren

        October 19, 2013 at 4:34 pm

        Hi Medha,

        You could try cornstarch if you're unable to find arrowroot! I hope you enjoy it if you try it! 🙂

        Reply
    11. Susan

      October 18, 2013 at 8:30 am

      This sounds absolutely delicious, even to a chocoholic like me. I actually made a cup of cocoa last night and then woke up early this morning, unable to go back to sleep. Maybe I need drink this instead… but I will do it without marshmallows.

      Reply
    12. Donna

      October 18, 2013 at 6:18 am

      Simply lovely lusciousness...CANNOT WAIT for your healthified marshmallow riff!!

      Reply
    13. Marianne @ Ragdoll Kitchen

      October 18, 2013 at 5:48 am

      This sounds really good! This needs to be made soon 🙂

      Reply

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    Hi there, I'm Lauren Goslin, and I've been a food blogger for over ten years. My goal with this blog is to show you healthy, lower sugar recipes that my family and I enjoy.

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