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If you love cozy hot chocolate recipes but don’t love how sweet or heavy most of them feel, this date sweetened hot chocolate is about to become your new favorite thing.
Instead of using refined sugar or syrup as a sweetener, this recipe uses Medjool dates to create the most velvety, rich hot cocoa with deep chocolate flavor and natural sweetness. Everything gets blended until smooth, so there are zero date chunks, just a creamy, indulgent mug of hot chocolate that tastes like a treat but feels a little better-for-you.
This recipe is especially perfect in December and January, when all you want is something warm and comforting, whether you’re curled up on the couch or serving guests. It’s made with simple ingredients, comes together quickly, and can be customized with nondairy milk like almond milk or soy milk if needed.
And yes, it absolutely deserves whipped cream on top.
Since you’re here, you’ll probably enjoy this homemade hot chocolate in a crock pot, this white hot chocolate recipe, or even this single serve hot chocolate!
Let’s Chit Chat!
I recently had a box of beautiful Medjool dates sitting on my counter, which instantly sent me into experiment mode. I grew up in Algeria where dates are always around, so they’re such a familiar, comforting ingredient for me and something I love finding new ways to use.
One night I was craving hot chocolate, glanced at the dates, and thought… why not? I blended everything up and ended up with the coziest date hot chocolate, naturally sweet, rich, and exactly what I was in the mood for.
The first time I made it, I blended everything in my Ninja and then heated it up in a saucepan. Super easy and still delicious. I shared it on Instagram, and that’s when Vitamix themselves commented telling me that I can actually heat it directly in the blender using the soup setting. I tried it the next time and it was honestly life-changing, blend, heat, done.
I’ve had my Vitamix for years and already loved it, but this made the process even simpler. Smooth, cozy, and one of my favorite ways to make hot chocolate now.
Why You’ll Love This Date Sweetened Hot Chocolate
- Naturally sweetened with dates (no refined sugar)
- Deep chocolate flavor from cocoa powder and dark chocolate
- Smooth, creamy texture thanks to blending
- Easy to make on the stovetop, in the microwave, or directly in a high-speed blender
- Works with dairy or vegan milk options
- A total huge hit every time I make it
This is one of those recipes that feels indulgent but still balanced. The sweetness is adjustable, the mixture is ultra smooth, and it honestly tastes better than most café hot chocolate.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s what goes into this recipe:
- Medjool dates – the natural sweetener that makes everything creamy and extra rich!
- Cocoa powder – use the unsweetened kind
- Dark chocolate – just a couple of squares for richness
- Milk of choice – dairy, almond milk, soy milk, or other nondairy milk
- Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste to add depth
- A pinch of salt – for balance
- Whipped cream – for topping
Optional additions:
- Extra dates if you like a sweeter hot chocolate (taste and adjust)
- A spoon of peanut butter for richness
- A pinch of cinnamon or other spices you enjoy for warmth
How to Make Date Sweetened Hot Chocolate
1. Blend Everything Until Smooth
Add the dates, cups of milk, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste), and salt to a high-speed blender. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy.
I use a Vitamix, and it blends the dates perfectly with no chunks left behind. This step is key, the smoother the blend, the better the final texture.
2. Heat the Mixture
You have a few options here:
- Stovetop: Pour the mixture into a pot and heat over medium heat, stirring until hot.
- Microwave: Heat in a mug in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
- Blender heating: If you have a blender that heats (like a Vitamix), you can heat it directly in the blender by blending on the soup setting.
3. Serve & Top
Pour into your favorite mug, top with whipped cream, and enjoy immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions: Date Sweetened Hot Chocolate
Not really. The dates add sweetness and creaminess, but the chocolate flavor is still front and center.
Yes! Use almond milk, soy milk, or another nondairy milk and vegan dark chocolate.
It’s naturally sweetened and made with whole ingredients, which many people prefer. Calories will vary based on milk and toppings. It is also high in fiber which is amazing for digestion and blood sugar control!
Yes. Store the mixture in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop or microwave when ready.
Why This Recipe Does So Well
This date sweetened hot chocolate is always a huge hit, especially during colder months. It’s cozy, chocolatey, and feels special without being complicated, exactly what people want from a hot cocoa recipe.
If you make it, tag me on Instagram, I love seeing your mugs of cozy chocolate 🤎
Date Sweetened Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 5 Medjool dates pitted
- 2¼ cups milk or almond milk / soy milk
- 2 squares dark chocolate
- 2½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½-1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
- Pinch of salt
- Whipped cream for topping
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a high-speed blender and blend until completely smooth.5 Medjool dates, 2¼ cups milk, 2 squares dark chocolate, 2½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, ½-1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste, Pinch of salt
- Pour the mixture into a pot and heat over medium heat until hot, stirring often.
- Alternatively, heat in the microwave or directly in a blender that heats.
- Pour into mugs, top with whipped cream, and enjoy.Whipped cream
Notes
- Add extra dates for a sweeter hot chocolate.
- A pinch of cinnamon or a spoon of peanut butter adds great flavor.
- Best served fresh and hot.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
