This delicious hot vanilla recipe is a great alternative for those that can't have cocoa or chocolate! Only five ingredients needed to make a delicious and warming cup.

Say hello to hot chocolate's angelic counterpart.
Since my husband has a sensitive stomach, and chocolate is one of his biggest offenders, I thought this would be a perfect substitute, as he loves vanilla.
While hot chocolate is difficult to surpass in its culinary excellence, this little beverage makes a great alternative for those who have cocoa allergies or who are sensitive to caffeine.
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.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Milk of choice - I've used whole milk, Coconut Milk, and almond milk all with good results.
- Sugar - Maple syrup and coconut sugar are our go-tos.
- Arrowroot - I imagine tapioca starch or cornstarch would both work as well. You can omit this altogether if you don't want it to be thick. You might take a peek at the benefits of arrowroot first!
- Vanilla extract
- Sea salt - Just a teeny pinch brings out the flavors!
- Stevia - Optional; use more sweetener if avoiding stevia.
Recipe steps
Begin by heating 3/4 cup of milk in a saucepan. Stir in the sugar and a dash of salt, and heat until steaming.
In a small cup or bowl, whisk the remaining milk with the arrowroot until dissolved.
Stir the arrowroot slurry into the steaming milk and keep stirring until slightly thick.
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and stevia, if using.
Recipe notes
Using a good vanilla extract will really help make this recipe delicious!
Try this with my Homemade Marshmallows and/or some fresh whipped cream for a real treat!
Thick and Creamy Hot Vanilla
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk of choice divided
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup or sugar
- dash sea salt
- 2 teaspoons arrowroot
- ΒΎ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 drops stevia or another teaspoon of sweetener
Instructions
- Add 3/4 cup of milk, sweetener, and salt to a saucepan, and begin to heat it over medium-low heat.
- Whisk the other 1/4 cup of milk with the arrowroot in a separate cup or small bowl.
- Once the milk it steaming, whisk in the milk/arrowroot mixture to the saucepan and stir to combine.
- Continue stirring the mix over medium high heat for about 2-3 minutes until it begins to thicken.
- Once thickened, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and stevia, if using.
- Top with a handful of healthy marshmallows and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it!
Marianne @ Ragdoll Kitchen
This sounds really good! This needs to be made soon π
Donna
Simply lovely lusciousness...CANNOT WAIT for your healthified marshmallow riff!!
Susan
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.
Medha
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?
Lauren
Hi Medha,
You could try cornstarch if you're unable to find arrowroot! I hope you enjoy it if you try it! π
Hannah@ACaseOfWanderlust
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!
jodye @ whole pure recipes
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!
Marianne @ Ragdoll Kitchen
I made this and we loved it! Thanks again for posting this treat π
Lauren
That's great Marianne, thanks for the comment! π
Paul Quin
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
Lauren
I'm well aware that honey isn't vegan Paul, hence the maple syrup option.
Jennifer at Purposeful Nutrition
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.
Marianne
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.
Lauren
That's awesome Marianne! I'm so happy you like it (and that the pancakes went over well). π
Jabelle
Thanks for the recipe! I just tried it and my brother and I loves it!
Lauren
That's great Jabelle, thanks for the comment!
w
Is "t" a teaspoon or a tablespoon?
Lauren
Teaspoon π
Heather Barnes
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!!!
Lauren
Hi Heather,
The arrowroot serves as a thickener...you could sub cornstarch or tapioca starch.
Claudia
I hadnt thought of using arrowroot to thicken drinks and just when I am out of stock. Thank you I will definatly be trying this I just love a vanilla chia I can just imagine it thick and creamy now, drool.